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UPDATE: Giant Valley’s win no surprise to Lesmore Smith

- Top Priority Stables of Tortola had a successful outing at the Carnival Races in St Thomas on April 29, 2016
Owner of Giant Valley, Lesmore Smith was hardly surprised by his horse winning the Governor's Cup 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
Some 12 horses from Tortola competed in the 2016 Carnival Races. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Some 12 horses from Tortola competed in the 2016 Carnival Races. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Five years after capturing the Governor’s Cup for the Virgin Islands with Good Prospecting in the Carnival Races in St Thomas, USVI, Tortola horse owner Lesmore Smith did it again today with Giant Valley. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Five years after capturing the Governor’s Cup for the Virgin Islands with Good Prospecting in the Carnival Races in St Thomas, USVI, Tortola horse owner Lesmore Smith did it again today with Giant Valley. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
The feature race capped a successful day for Lesmore Smith and Priority Racing Stables as Bellamy Chief won race 4- The Enrique “Ricky” Ashby Trophy- for C Class Horses over 6 furlongs. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
The feature race capped a successful day for Lesmore Smith and Priority Racing Stables as Bellamy Chief won race 4- The Enrique “Ricky” Ashby Trophy- for C Class Horses over 6 furlongs. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Giant Valley leads the way during the Governor's Cup race at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St Thomas, USVI on April 29, 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Giant Valley leads the way during the Governor's Cup race at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St Thomas, USVI on April 29, 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Lesmore Smith (2nd from left) lifts the coveted Governor's Cup after Giant Valley took a shocking victory. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Lesmore Smith (2nd from left) lifts the coveted Governor's Cup after Giant Valley took a shocking victory. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Meanwhile, there was a third victory for Tortola when Honors of Family Affairs Stables won the Boyzie Benjamin C- a race for Open horses contested over 1 mile & 1/16 for a purse of $10,000.00. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
Meanwhile, there was a third victory for Tortola when Honors of Family Affairs Stables won the Boyzie Benjamin C- a race for Open horses contested over 1 mile & 1/16 for a purse of $10,000.00. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Patsy C. Lake (left) at the Carnival Races 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Patsy C. Lake (left) at the Carnival Races 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Alex V. Lake and Patsy C. Lake of Family Affairs Stables receive their trophy after Honors won the Boyzie Benjamin Cup. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Alex V. Lake and Patsy C. Lake of Family Affairs Stables receive their trophy after Honors won the Boyzie Benjamin Cup. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
A number of persons from Tortola witnessed Giant Valley win the Governor's Cup for the Virgin Islands. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
A number of persons from Tortola witnessed Giant Valley win the Governor's Cup for the Virgin Islands. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Winning Jockey David Rosario and Governor's Cup winner Giant Valley. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
Winning Jockey David Rosario and Governor's Cup winner Giant Valley. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
A section of the crowd at the Carnival Races on St Thomas on April 29, 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
A section of the crowd at the Carnival Races on St Thomas on April 29, 2016. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson
The final race of the day was won by 'I'm Sensational'. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
The final race of the day was won by 'I'm Sensational'. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While many regarded the Governor’s Cup win by Tortola’s Giant Valley at the Carnival Races at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands on April 29, 2016 as an upset, horse owner Lesmore Smith was hardly surprised.

The pre-race hype for the Governor’s Cup surrounded My Pal Shawn of Tortola and St Moose of St Croix, however, they had to yield to the powerful front running of Giant Valley, who defeated St Moose by a length and My Pal Shawn finishing fourth after an issue with the gate saw the horse getting off to a late start.

Call Daddy was third.

“I know as longs as he got up there that was it. The race was exactly how I had it planned, to let him go when he went and just stay up there,” Owner and Trainer of Giant Valley, Lesmore Smith told Virgin Islands News Online.

He further said the plan was to get ahead of St Moose and let him chase. Regarding My pal Shawn, Mr Smith said it was unfortunate what happened at the starting gate.

“Giant Valley was in good shape and I know St Moose would have had to run really hard to catch him.”

Mr Smith also said the win by Giant Valley reminded him of his past champion horse Good Prospecting.

“The crowd wasn’t expecting Giant Valley to win. They weren’t looking out for him, just like they didn’t for Good Prospecting.”

Good Prospecting was twice winner of the Governor’s Cup.

The feature race capped a successful day for Smith and Priority Racing Stables as Bellamy Chief won race 4- The Enrique “Ricky” Ashby Trophy- for C Class Horses over 6 furlongs, and Crazy Laura was pipped on the line by Scripture N’ Verse in The Administrator – Bonita Classic, which was a race for mares and fillies contested over 1 mile.

Top Honours for Honors

Meanwhile, there was a third victory for Tortola when Honors of Family Affairs Stables won the Boyzie Benjamin Cup- a race for Open horses contested over 1 mile & 1/16 for a purse of $7,000.00.

Some 12 horses from Tortola competed in the 2016 Carnival Races.

HORSE RACE RESULTS – CARNIVAL FRIDAY APRIL 29, 2016

 

RACE#1

RACE#5

 

NAME OF RACE: THE CARDOW CUP

NAME OF RACE: THE ADMINISTRATOR – BONITA CLASSIC

 

DISTANCE:       1 MILE

DISTANCE: 1 MILE

 

CLASS:             D, E & NATIVES

CLASS: MARES & FILLIES

 

PURSE:             $5,800.00

PURSE: $8,500.00 PLUS ADDED MONIES

 

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

 

1 CITY SPLENDOR

1 FAIR COMMAND

 

2 LA NINA W

2 TOP CLASS CITIZEN (STX) (DEBUT)

 

3 WATTA GIG  (STX)

3 BITTERSWEET DREAMS (TOR)

 

4 SWIGGLE

4 SCRIPTURE N’ VERSE

 

5 RANA B (STX)

5 CRAZY LAURA (TOR) DEBUT

 

6 WINDWORTHY

6

 

ORDER OF FINISH: 1  3  4  6  2    5               ORDER OF FINISH: 4   5   2   1  3

 

WINNING OWNER: BROTHERS STABLE

WINNING OWNER: POWER MOVE STABLES

 

WINNING TRAINER:  L. NILES

WINNING TRAINER: WAYNE CROOKE

 

WINNING JOCKEY:

WINNING JOCKEY: AARON GRYDER

 

WINNING TIME:  140.4

WINNING TIME: 1:40.4

 

RACE#2

RACE#6

 

NAME OF RACE: THE CLINTON PHIPPS CLASSIC

NAME OF RACE: BOYZIE BENJAMIN CUP

 

DISTANCE: 1 MILE & 70 YARDS

DISTANCE: 1 MILE & 1/16

 

CLASS: D

CLASS: OPEN

 

PURSE: $6,000.00

PURSE: $10,000.00

 

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

 

1 EL INDULTADO

1 EXPLORING (TOR) (DEBUT)

 

2 NOBLE FOREVER

2 GARABATO

 

3 YES BY ERIC (TOR) (DEBUT)

3 PUMPED UP KICS

 

4 GUS IS TUF

4 HONORS (TOR) (DEBUT)

 

5 ATORRANTE (TOR) (DEBUT)

5 SIMON SEZ RUN (STX)

 

6 EL HOMBRE GRANDE

6 HOW’S A WINNER

 

ORDER OF FINISH: 2   5   3   6    4   1

ORDER OF FINISH: 4   5   2   3   6   1

 

WINNING OWNER:

WINNING OWNER: FAMILY AFFAIR

 

WINNING TRAINER:

WINNING TRAINER: ALEX LAKE

 

WINNING JOCKEY:

WINNING JOCKEY: WINSTON HURST Jr.

 

WINNING TIME:

WINNING TIME: 1:43.3

 

RACE#3

RACE#7

 

NAME OF RACE: THE WARREN “TOBAGO” ESTRADA TROPHY

NAME OF RACE:  THE GOVERNOR’S CUP

 

DISTANCE: 1MILE 1/16

DISTANCE: 1MILE & 70 YARDS

 

CLASS:     C

CLASS:       A

 

PURSE: $6,500.00

PURSE: $20.000.00 PLUS ADDED MONIES

 

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

 

1 BRASS NOTE

1 CALL DADDY (DEBUT)

 

2 PERFECT SUNDAY

2 ST. MOOSE (STX)

 

3 CENTER GOLD

3 TENANGO (DEBUT)

 

4 UNGUIDED MISSILE

4 MY PAL SHAWN (TOR)

 

5 BAR MAGIC

5 GIANT VALLEY (TOR)

 

6 THESTARVINGARTIST

6

 

ORDER OF FINISH: 1   2    3    4 (#5 DNF)

ORDER OF FINISH: 5   2   1    4   3

 

WINNING OWNER: C. SERRANO

WINNING OWNER: TOP PRIORITY STABLES

 

WINNING TRAINER: G. STEVENS

WINNING TRAINER: LESMORE SMITH

 

WINNING JOCKEY: JOSE HERNANDEZ

WINNING JOCKEY: DAVID ROSARIO

 

WINNING TIME: 1:43.3

WINNING TIME: 141.2

 

RACE#4

RACE#8

 

NAME OF RACE: THE ENRIQUE “RICKY” ASHBY TROPHY

NAME OF RACE: THE ALFREDO “ CUCHITO” LIMA, JR TROPHY

 

DISTANCE: 6 FURLONGS

DISTANCE:       1 MILE

 

CLASS: OPEN

CLASS:       B

 

PURSE: $7,500.00 PLUS ADDED MONIES

PURSE: $7,000.00

 

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

GATE POSITION & NAME OF HORSES

 

1 STARSHIP TITAN (TOR) (DEBUT)

1 WROL UP (TOR)(DEBUT)

 

2 UNTIE THE KNOT (DEBUT)

2 BIG MEOW (DEBUT) SCRATCH

 

3 BELLAMY CHIEF (TOR) (DEBUT)

3 GO PANCHO GO

 

4 APOLLO SKY (TOR)

4 UPTOWN ANTHEM

 

5 MACHO COACH (STX) (DEBUT) SCRATCH

5 I’M SENSATIONAL

 

6 LIL BART (STX) (DEBUT)SCRATCH

6 EXPLOSIVE IMAGE (DEBUT)

 

ORDER OF FINISH: 3   1   4   2

ORDER OF FINISH: 5   3    1    4   6

 

WINNING OWNER: TOP PRIORITY STABLES

WINNING OWNER: NO LIMITED STABLES

 

WINNING TRAINER: LESMORE SMITH

WINNING TRAINER: I. CALWOOD

 

WINNING JOCKEY: DAVID ROSARIO

WINNING JOCKEY: VICTOR LEBRON

 

WINNING TIME: 1:10.2

WINNING TIME: 1:38.3

 

 See previous story posted April 29, 2016

Tortola’s Giant Valley shocks the field! Wins Governor’s Cup 2016

- @ Carnival Races in St Thomas, USVI

Five years after capturing the Governor’s Cup for the Virgin Islands with Good Prospecting in the Carnival Races in St Thomas, USVI, Tortola horse owner Lesmore Smith did it again today April 29, 2016 with Giant Valley.

At the Clinton E. Phipps Race Track in St Thomas, USVI, Lesmore Smith’s horse beat out the likes of St Moose, Tenango, My Pal Shawn and Call Daddy to capture the race won in 2015 by the late great Doughmaker of L&B Racing Stables of Tortola.

The pre-race hype of the rematch between St Moose of St Croix and My Pal Shawn of Tortola failed to live up to expectations as Giant Valley put in a giant of a performance. St Moose had to settle for second.

It was a splendid day for Smith who earlier in the day won with Bellamy Chief in one of the races in the lower classes.

We will be bringing a more detailed report of all of the results of today’s Carnival races.

27 Responses to “UPDATE: Giant Valley’s win no surprise to Lesmore Smith”

  • gkefkkdakxq (29/04/2016, 18:13) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh yea lesmore
    • Steroids (30/04/2016, 09:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      just saying
      • the rock (01/05/2016, 06:56) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

        they is only a very few stables that does not use steroids, its sad here in the vi and I mean the whole vi, that's why I will never purchase a horse over $10,000.00 cause when one goes over that limit and u have guys with cheap horses $5000.00 and $8000.00 etc. with steroids boost running the hell out of the expensive horses its not fare to the owners, we have a lot of work down here in the vi to do, and drug testing should be the first step for change cause its not fare to the horses!

        • English lesson (01/05/2016, 14:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          There "are" only a few; not, there "is" only a few...
          Playing "fair", not playing "fare". Fare is when you have to pay for something...
    • family affairs for life! (01/05/2016, 05:15) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      congrats lesmore, u did the bvi proud once more, but enjoy your win as it will only last one month a maybe a week, my pal shawn will get u next race day in tola, penn and bates come over for some more licks, honors will take care of apalo sky, star ship titan and bellamy chief, as fm 107. 5 says ---YES I!
  • ..... (29/04/2016, 19:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are great Lesmore. I had you to come in last. I will never doubt you again.....
  • My girl (29/04/2016, 19:06) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Big win Lesmore Top Priority Racing Stables all the way ..
  • yea (29/04/2016, 19:15) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    BVI o top again let them take that!
  • YEA YEA (29/04/2016, 19:18) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Lesmore is Les no more.....
  • nuff respect to lesmore (29/04/2016, 19:38) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    HE DID IT AGAIN...GOVERNOR CUP AND SPRINT CHAMPION (also missed the mare classic by a nose)
  • Yes (29/04/2016, 19:40) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another new license plate again?
  • Dark Horse (29/04/2016, 19:43) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    partner like he made a trip to haiti? LOL!
  • family (29/04/2016, 21:13) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Whom God Bless no man can curse! Lesmore don't mind the haters they will come - more will rise up now and pretend to be your friend now that you have won! Congrats!
  • chad (29/04/2016, 22:16) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    family affairs, u got to monsters on your hands too, honors ran like a beast today and mypalshawn if not got that bad break would of won the governors cup easy as everyone saw the performance he made coming from such a long distant back, tola I cant wait for our next race card its going to be off the chain people!
  • x (29/04/2016, 22:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    3 Time Champ
  • fox (29/04/2016, 22:47) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    I told my cuzz Benski and other Taxi man across from Craft Alive that he would have won but they didn't believe me. I told them that different trainer different results. Congratulations Lesmoe Smith.
  • hello (29/04/2016, 23:06) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Thank you Lesmore UP WITH THE BVI DOWN WITH THE NDP
    • the rock (30/04/2016, 05:44) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      to hello, u are an A$$ and always will be, ooh by the way lesmore is all NDP!
      • @ the rock (30/04/2016, 10:38) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        he only NDP to see what he can get from ball head and he has gotten a lot
  • raise your flag up high (30/04/2016, 00:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI ALL THE WAY
  • HMMM (30/04/2016, 14:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Must everything be political why can't we Tolians just enjoy this win and leave politics out of it. Strupes....man
  • JACK BE STILL (01/05/2016, 09:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    bvi got bragging rights for a year


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