Apollo Sky easily won the CCT Sponsored 1 Miler, ahead of Town Hall and Star Ship Titan. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Orithyia, in Blue and Gold, won the Day's first Race, over 6 Furlongs, in a time of 1 19 and 4, ahead of Power Ten. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Southern Dunn, a little reluctant to enter the gate ahead of Race 2, which was won by Meddling Birdie. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Yes By Eric and Bitter Sweet Dream during the 1 Mile race that was won by Bitter Sweet Dream in 1 49 and 4. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Prince of Speed, decided enough was enough and crashed through the starting gate ahead. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Wrol Up on debut gave Trading Secrets a good run for his money. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Apollo Sky won today’s July 12, 2015 pre-Festival feature race at Ellis Thomas Downs, Sea Cows Bay, Tortola by three lengths and in a time of 1:29 and 4. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Town Hall briefly held the lead in the CCT Sponsored 1 Mile race, but Apollo Sky, ridden by Hynman Rivera, opened up a lead down the back straight and romped to a three length victory in a time of 1: 29 and 4. Star Ship Titan was third.

The first Race of the day, over 6 Furlongs, saw LB Thunder make the early running before Power Ten took over and seemingly had the race won. However Orithyia timed the finish to perfection and came round on the inside at the last bend to storm to victory in a time of 1 19 and 4.

Brian Gonzalez rode Meddling Birdie to the win over 1 Mile in Race number two after Southern Dunn had proved reluctant to enter the Gate.

The Horse owned by Mission House Stables led from start to finish and won in a time of 1 50 and 4. Southern Dunn came home second and Mark It a Wynn was third.

Race three went to Bitter Sweet Dream and was Gonzalez’s second winner.

Again the winner, owned by L & B Stables, led from start to finish and covered the 1 Mile distance in a time of 1 49 and 4, well ahead of Buy Buy Buy, Yes By Eric and Kiton.

The fourth Race of the day nearly had a disastrous start as a clearly unhappy Prince of Speed had to be backed into the Gate and then as the other Horses took their time to enter, became agitated enough to throw Gonzalez off and crash to the floor before wriggling out under the Gate and speeding off around the track.

Once calm was restored Wrol Up, on debut and owned by the Boys Stables, was left to face Trading Secrets over 1Mile.

The pair were neck and neck, until the second bend, when Trading Secrets opened up a lead. Wrol Up came back strong and nearly caught up around the final bend, but Trading Secrets had a strong finish to win in a time of 1 48 and 2.

Next up for Ellis Thomas Downs will be the August Festival Meet.

See previous story published on July 12, 2015:

Apollo Sky wins pre-Festival feature race

-Town Hall 2nd; Starship Titan 3rd; Exploring scratched

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – Apollo Sky won today’s July 12, 2015 pre-Festival feature race at Ellis Thomas Downs, Sea Cows Bay, Tortola by three lengths and in a time of 1:29 and 4.

Town Hall of Family Affair Racing Stables was second and Starship Titan owned by Strictly Business Stables third. Exploring was scratched from the card.

The race was close around the first lap but Apollo Sky opened up the lead down the back straight and held on for an easy win.

The return of Town Hall after a long recuperation from injury and how he would fare in the seven furlong race was the question on race fans’ mind today.

Apollo Sky owned by The Boys' Stables had been unbeaten in three previous outings. We will bring you more details in a subsequent article.