UPDATE: Pulling off Easter Races 'wasn’t easy financially'- Lesmore Smith
And it was a sigh of relief for President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners Association, Mr Lesmore Smith, who no doubt has put great effort and resources, including his personal finances, towards the sports’ development.
Speaking to the media following the conclusion of the races, Mr Smith said it wasn’t easy financially and otherwise but he was happy that the event was run off successfully. “I am happy that it happened, I am glad that it happened. It shows that the Caribbean people can still come together and enjoy the sport of horse racing.”
It was also personal success for Mr Smith, a horse owner himself, as his stable-Top Priority Racing Stables- came out with two victories.
Mr Smith added he is looking forward to the August Festival races, which he hopes would see other Caribbean countries bringing their horses to Ellis Thomas Downs.
Feature race drama
Meanwhile, there was much drama before the start of the feature race as both Thulean of St Thomas and Moonlight Bandit of Top Priority Racing Stables had their jockey tumbling in the sand. Thulean was especially uneasy and may have caused Moonlight Bandit to react in the same manner.
Moonlight Bandit was already settled in the starting gate and as Thulean’s handlers struggled to get the horse settled, Moonlight Bandit suddenly fought its way out of the gate and blazed around the track. It was fortunate not to be seriously hurt when it fell on the final bend after hitting the rails on the far end.
Thulean was eventually scratched.
With Moonlight Bandit out of the race and Kelly Tough of Tortola scratched before the race, it killed the race hype that had anticipated a showdown among Antigua, St Thomas and Tortola.
In the end, it was just Totally Evil of St Thomas and Flying to Honor of Antigua duking it out. Totally Evil proved to be too strong for Flying to Honor.
Other results
Race 1
The first race of the day, the Julian Skelton Memorial, sponsored by Skelton Development Ltd for $6550, was won by Uncle Mace out of Top Priority Racing Stables and ridden by David Rosario in a time of 136.
Second was 3 Little Fool out of Phoenix Stables in St Thomas, USVI. Jack Fallon also of the USVI was third.
Race 2
The Bobby Hodge Invitational One Mile for Class C Horses, which had a purse of $7150 and sponsored by VIGL, was taken by Jordan’s Salsa of St Thomas with jockey Elmore M Barnes in 149.2.
Second was My Running Mate of The Brothers Stable in St Thomas. Third was Atrevete of St Croix.
Race 3
The third encounter of the day was a 1 Mile for Mares and Fillies, sponsored by the VI Horse Owners Association for $6,800. Top Priority Racing Stables’ Nadiae’s Image and Jockey David Rosario took victory in 147.3.
Freckle de Freck of The Boys Racing Stables was second on debut while My Song Venezuelan of St Thomas was third.
Race 4
Race 4 was the Autley Crabbe Invitational for Class B Horses for a purse of $9750. This race was won by Gottcha Blessin of St Thomas, with jockey Carlos Marquez, in a time of 148.1.
Second was Giant Valley of Top Priority Racing Stables and third Chovannes (debut) of The Boys Racing Stables.
Race 5
The fifth race of the day, the Oliver Cills Showdown for Class B Horses, was sponsored by the BVI Tourist Board and had a prize of $9750.
Crypto Hold of The Boys Racing Stables completed the mile distance in 147.1, followed by Lunch Break of Top Priority Racing Stables. Third was Flashing Cat of St Thomas.
Horse owner Rodney A. Simmons gave all credit for the win to the trainer Ronnie Hodge aka “Animal”. Mr Simmons also admitted he wasn’t expecting the victory, adding that he didn’t know much about the horse as it was Mr Hodge who had identify the horse for purchase.
Mr Simmons also said The Boys Racing Stables will be seeking to purchase more horses, with the aim to have a horse for every event on race day.
See previous article published April 21, 2019
Totally Evil wins incident filled feature Easter Sunday race
After the start of the race was delayed for more than 20 minutes due to horses refusing to get into the gates, it was just between Totally Evil of St Thomas and Flying to Honor of Antigua.
Totally Evil, as expected, had a flying start and led from start to finish, leaving Flying to Honor in its wake.
The winning time in the race for Class A horses was 148. The winning hockey was Victor Santiago.
It was a bit of a disappointment for Tortola fans as Moonlight Bandit of Top Priority Racing Stables scrambled out of the gates before the start and blazed around the track before taking a tumble on the final bend.
Thulean of St Thomas also refused to settle in the gates for the second attempt and after much confusion the decision was made to scratch the horse.
Kelly Tough of Tortola was scratched before the race.
The winning purse was $20,000.
More details to follow.
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7 Responses to “UPDATE: Pulling off Easter Races 'wasn’t easy financially'- Lesmore Smith”
Who is totally evil- cheap horse-$6500.00. Has 2 owners, one from st john the other from st croix. To make up on talent-he is given per****@#ce en***cers on race day which is illegal. Jockey clearly rides with b***ery attached w**p again which is illegal- owners will buy out competitors jockeys -espicially the one that rode for the Antiguans yesterday. Has one of the best trainers in the vi, who i dont believe has a say in the above actions tsken by owners, espicially the half owner who hails from st croix! Totally evil stats- 10 wins O- losses.