The news of TRAXCO's exit from the Randall ‘Doc’ James racetrack will come as a relief to horsemen who have contended that TRAXCO had been unfair in its treatment to members of the Flamboyant Horsemen’s Association (F.H.A.). Photo: VIC

The complaint was predicated on past violations of a sub-lease and delinquent payments to the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation.

Through a Freedom of Information Act request, The Consortium obtained the letter from the Department of Justice that was addressed to Ms Golden. In it, TRAXCO said Attorney General Claude Walker had threatened criminal sanctions if TRAXCO (and thus its subtenants, including Treasure bay VI Corp (TBVI) which runs the Divi Carina Bay Casino), did not remove itself from the Randall ‘Doc’ James racetrack.

“Although TRAXCO believes that the claims for termination are invalid and that the threat of criminal sanctions are unjustified, neither TRAXCO nor TBVI will put itself and its officers, directors and employees at risk given that these threats come from the highest ranking legal official in the territory,” reads the letter addressed to Ms Golden.

“Accordingly, while TRAXCO is reserving all of its rights and does not agree that the Lease has been terminated or has expired, TRAXCO will comply with the Attorney General’s demand, under duress, and vacate the property by the close of business on May 6, 2016 and has required that its subtenant, Treasure Bay VI Corp, do the same.”

The news will come as a relief to horsemen who have contended that TRAXCO had been unfair in its treatment to members of the Flamboyant Horsemen’s Association (F.H.A.).

TRAXCO had refused to vacate the property on April 25, 2016 which was originally requested by the Department of Property and Procurement, and had taken the Government of the Virgin Islands to court. But Mr Walker’s letter, which threatened criminal charges, prompted TRAXCO to act.

TRAXCO allegedly failed to fulfill obligations

At a February Committee on Culture, Youth and Recreation hearing at the Fritz E. Lawaetz Legislative Hall, F.H.A. attorney Kye Walker, along with horse owner and trainer Randal Knight, contended that TRAXCO had failed to fulfill its obligations, part of which included maintenance of the racing facility, including stable, the racetrack itself, and all other aspects thereof.

According to Mr Knight, the horsemen maintain the stable with their own funds. He said James Bates of Bates Trucking and Removal, a horseman himself, has used his company’s equipment — free of charge — to help the horsemen maintain their stalls; which the agreement expressly states should be performed by TRAXCO. He also took pains to explain the other expenses associated with horse ownership, and told senators that for a horseman with four horses, the expenses average around $1,200 monthly.

And he said horsemen were being forced to accept reduced purses — all this while TRAXCO had failed to install new slot machines that would help the horsemen make extra money. As of February, 2016, no new slot machines had been installed at the racing facility aside from the initial 32.

TRAXCO’s decision to leave could pave the way for new management at the racetrack, and it opens a path for USVI Governor Kenneth E. Mapp to move forward with his plans to revamp the facility.