My Pal Shawn (left) and Bittersweet Dream in the feature Boxing Day race at Ellis Thomas Downs on December 27, 2015. The race was won by My Pal Shawn. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO/File

My Pal Shawn romping to victory in the feature race at Ellis Thomas Downs on December 27, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO/File

Honors of Family Affair Stables is one of the entries for the feature race of the Boxing Day race card at Ellis Thomas Downs on December 26, 2016. Photo: Provided

2016 Governor's Cup winner Giant Valley will also compete in the feature race. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO

Of course, the feature race always grabs the headlines, but this time around there is also a co–feature race to round out the day which starts at 1:00 P.M. on Monday.

According to President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Mrs Patsy C. Lake, race four, the feature race is over 7 Furlongs. “There are seven horses in that race and race five is a co-feature with six horses,” Mrs Lake stated.

The feature race is worth $10,000 and will see the likes of Giant Valley taking on I’m Sensational, Honors and Pumped up Kicks to name but a few, whilst the co-feature is over six furlongs for $6,000 and boasts Apollo Sky going against My Pal Shaun.

Many Horses are making the trip from the USVI, which is filling out the card to such a new level, that race one and two have eight horses on the card.

“Race one is six and half furlongs with eight horses bursting out of the new eight stall gate for a purse of 4,000. Race two also has eight horses entered for a purse of $4,500,” noted Mrs Lake.

14 horses coming from St Thomas, USVI

To add to the competition, some 14 horses will be coming from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, according to Mrs Lake

“How it is in horseracing, the stocks go up and go down, some months ago, we were much higher than St Thomas, but now they have a lot of horses, some horses can’t perform so well so they go out to pasture,” she added.

Those USVI horses include Go Pancho, Ez Eddie, El Convidado, Motion 4 Appeal, Dramacidel, El Indultadao, Sparky Bee, Gus is Tuff, Unguided Missile, DQ Rexter, Gottacha Blessing, Acacemic Probation, Scripture N Verse, Pumped Up Kicks, I’m Sensational, Call Daddy, Integrity and Totally Evil.

Race three is over one mile and features five horses competing for a $5,000 purse.

“VIBES will be here, Push Pop, there will be a fashion show going on by Makita Turnbull. There will be some other ladies and young people parading hats and JBY showing their latest styles and fashions,” confirmed Mrs Lake.

The first race kicks off at 1:00 P.M on Monday December 26 and Mrs Lake is hoping for a large crowd.

“Large crowds where the ladies and men put on all the gifts Santa brought for them and come to the track. There is a lot to look forward to, a fun filled day, with also a race for the children on the track, on foot, which the young boys always look forward to.”

See official race card below: