UPDATE: ‘Apollo Sky did everything I asked!’ – Jockey Curwin John
“I came out real strong, got my position and controlled the whole race. I was relaxed the whole way and asked him for a good finish, he responded. The track was a little heavy today, but despite a sluggish finish he did everything I asked,” said John.
In what became a series of two horse races due to the nonappearance of United States Virgin Islands based horses, Apollo Sky, owned by Rodney 'Mileage' Simmons of The Boys Racing Stables blew away the field in the feature race and Halo's Midas Touch, also owned by Simmons held off Trading Secrets owned by Family Affair Stables.
The feature race went to Apollo Sky in fine style, as the horse romped to a six and ½ length victory over 7 furlongs in a time of 1:30 and 4. Really Uptown owned by Earl 'Bob' and Violet 'Letty' Hodge of L & B Racing Stables, came second, looking nothing like his old self and Kanavayen owned by Ashley Ritter of Cox Heath Stables, who many had predicted would upset Really Uptown, came a distant third.
The last race day, a 7 furlong for Class A and B horses, also proved the closest of the days six races with Halo’s Midas Touch, ridden by Curwin John, holding on to win by ½ a length from Trading Secrets, in a time of 1:31 and 3.
The day’s first race, one of only two to feature more than two horses, was won by Mark It A Wynn owned by Pleasant Valley Stables, on debut and also ridden by John. The winning time over 6 ½ furlongs was 1:26 and 2, with I’ll Buy second, Good Boy Daddy third and Power Ten fourth.
“The horse responded very well,” stated John. “He had a lot of heart and did everything I asked of him.”
Race two, over 7 furlongs for C and D horses, saw a first win of the day for Angel Quinones riding Star Ship Titan owned by Strictly Business Stables, who led Sin Mirar Atras owned by Simmons wire to wire to win in a time of 1:31 and 4.
Race three saw another win for John as he held off the challenge from Buy Buy Buy to guide Fort Pyramaid home by four lengths over the one mile race. The winning time was 1:47 and 2.
Buy Buy Buy of L & B Racing Stables did catch up a little before the home straight, but John knew he had the speed.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a match race or not, a win is a win. We got a good start and were able to run a relaxed race, even though Buy Buy Buy put on some pressure,” he said.
Miss Homer, ridden by Quinones, won the fourth race, over 6 ½ furlongs, in a time of 1:25 and 2. Southern Dunn had to be led backwards into the starting gate and never seemed comfortable, losing by 3 and ½ lengths.
See previous story published on October 5, 2014:
Big upset with Apollo Sky blowout over Really Uptown @ Downs!
SEA COW’S BAY, Tortola, VI - Apollo Sky today October 5, 2014 won the featured race 5 of the race meet at Ellis Thomas Downs, Sea Cow’s Bay, Tortola, ahead of Really Uptown and Kanavayen.
It was a day of match races due to St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands’ horses not travelling to Tortola for the race meet.
Apollo Sky is owned by Rodney 'Mileage' Simmons of the Boys Stables; Really Uptown owned by Earl 'Bob' and Violet 'Letty' Hodge of L & B Racing Stables and Kanavayen owned by Ashley Ritter of Cox Heath Stables.
The highlight of the races was race 5 over 7 furlongs featuring Really Uptown, Kanavayen and Apollo Sky ridden by Juan Antonio Santiago, Angel Quinones and Curwin John respectively.
The purse of $6,000 for the featured race was sponsored by Donna M. Christensen and Basil C. Ottley, Democratic candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively of the US Virgin Islands.
It was a wire to wire win for Apollo Sky by six lengths from Really Uptown in 1:30 and 3 with Kanavayen last.
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