Tortola's Giant Valley will be aiming to add the August Tuesday's Premier's Cup to his Governor's Cup won in April in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/File

Champion race horse owner, Lesmore Smith will have a number of horses competing at the August Tuesday races at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/File

My Pal Shawn (in photo) of Tortola and St Moose of St Croix, USVI will also feature in the Premier's Cup on August Tuesday at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: VINO/File

Whilst the focus of attention will no doubt be on the 1 and 1/8^th Mile $20,000 Premier s Cup match up between St Moose, My Pal Shawn, Governor’s Cup winner Giant Valley and Integrity, on debut, there are plenty of other races on the card, starting from 12:30 P.M.

“Giant Valley is up and running, raring to go, fully fit and I’m confidant will do well,” commented Mr Lesmore Smith, owner of Top Priority Stables. “A win is an added blessing in life, but almost a year ago I set a target of two Cup wins and Giant Valley has been training hard, cooling down well and has its energy up and can take it.”

Smith has other horses running, namely Bellamy Chief in Race 6, over 1 and1/16th Mile with a purse of $10,000, the main competition will come from Honors, along with Brass Note and I’m Sensational.

Crazy Laura also features in Race 5, for Fillies and Mares, over 1 Mile, for a Purse of $7,500, with competition coming from Cupid Messenger and Rags to Riches, both on debut, as well as  Bitter Sweet Dream and Scripture N’ Verse.

August Tuesday Races like a Final

“Preparing for a big event, such as the August Festival Meet is different,” noted Smith, “It’s like Usain Bolt, or Lebron James building their conditioning towards a final. You have to build to a different level of conditioning the spirit body and mind. You talk to the horses every day and get them to understand something special is coming. You take extra time and make extra effort to gain their trust and commitment. It’s about a mutual trust and then they go and give you their best and their all.”

First out of the new gate and in Race 1 over 7 Furlongs and for a purse of $5,500, will be Sir Whiskey, Gottocha Bobb and LB Thunder.

Race 2 features the largest entry with seven horses vying for a purse of $6,000 over 7 Furlongs. The more consistent horses being Yes By Eric, Meddling Birdie, Mark It A Wynn and Buy Buy Buy, although there are several horses on debut to watch for, including The Starving Artiste, Sparky Bee and EZ Eddie, all expected to make the trip from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Race 3, over 6 ½ Furlongs is worth $7,000 and features Apollo Sky, Call Daddy, on debut, Lil Bart and Pumped Up Kicks.

Race 4, the first of the day over 1 Mile, is worth $6,500 and will see Attorrante take on Untie the Knot, Returning Rock and two horses on debut, El Indultado and Top Class Citizen.

Racing concludes after the Premiers Cup with the second largest field of the day going over 5 Furlongs for a purse of $6,500. The usual suspects of Star Ship Titan and How’s A Winner will be facing a challenge from Fair Command, on debut, Atravete, Big Meow and Daboluck.

All day long Racing Fans, Spectators and those coming for the Traditional Lime will be entertained by many DJ’s including Push Pop, artistes such as the Lashing Dogs, Express and the soon to be reigning Calypso King as well as Vibe.