Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

UPDATE: Races all set for Downs today, June 2

Races are not expected to be significantly affected by the absence of four horses scheduled to run at the June 2 event at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: VINO/File
Horse races are all set for Ellis Thomas Downs today, June 2, 2013, in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO/File
Horse races are all set for Ellis Thomas Downs today, June 2, 2013, in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO/File
Exercise rider, David A. Campbell aka Jamtown explained that there is more to a jockey than it appears from the outside. Photo: VINO/File
Exercise rider, David A. Campbell aka Jamtown explained that there is more to a jockey than it appears from the outside. Photo: VINO/File
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – Ellis Thomas Downs is expected to come alive with the usual horse racing excitement today, June 2, 2013 for the second race of the year in the Territory hosted by the VI Horse Owners Association.

The races were originally scheduled for an earlier date but were pushed back to accommodate other events in the Territory.

At least four of the horses scheduled to make the trip from St Thomas and St Croix did not arrive to participate in today’s races at Ellis Thomas Downs.

The horses that didn’t arrive include Bambi Bound (St Croix), What’s Popping (St Thomas), Ohbabyobeyme (St Thomas) and Congo (St Croix).

The absence of the horses means that there will be no participation in the races by St Croix in today’s event. Seven horses made the trip from St Thomas.

However, the races are not expected to be significantly affected by the absence of the horses and fans are encouraged to come out in their numbers in support of today’s event with the first race scheduled to start at 1:30P.M.

Efforts to contact President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Karen Smith-Aaron for an update on race day proved unsuccessful.

See previous story posted May 30, 2013:

Veteran Jockey ready for the saddle ahead of June 2 horse races at Downs

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – When it comes to horse racing, it has been said that a jockey is very much like a taxi driver and is expected to be ready to go at all times; he is given the reins and told to drive. Simple instructions as it may seem from the outset. But is there more to it than it looks?

Jockeys control many variables in horse racing, a fact that should never be taken for granted. The weight, physical condition and mental alertness of a jockey are all key elements in determining the outcome of any given race.

With the upcoming horse races etched in for Ellis Thomas Downs this Sunday, June 2, 2013, Virgin Islands News Online spoke with one of the go-to ‘exercise’ riders in the Virgin Islands, David A. Campbell aka Jamtown to ascertain what goes into preparing a champion racehorse for victory.

Campbell explained that jockeys are required to exercise and maintain a strict diet in order to keep to the required weight on race day. Often, their weight varies between 108-120lbs, depending on the required weight for race day.

The veteran of over twenty years also disclosed that the amount of moisture on the track before the race plays a role in the instructions received by jockeys as well.

Jockeys are required to be especially cautious under wet circumstances as they may encounter severe and often life threatening injury otherwise, both for themselves and the horses they ride.

“I ride most of the horses,” Campbell said while explaining that horse owners at Ellis Thomas Downs stables liked the way he handled their horses. Campbell also rides horses for some of the races at the Downs on occasion. It should be noted that all exercise jockeys do not ride on race day.

One horse owner suggested that the only distinction with jockeys usually, is that they are told by the owner how the horse should be ridden on the day of the race.

The official race card has now been released and shows that Sunday’s card will feature six races, with the feature race being the 6½ furlong sprint which pits horses, Winaholic, Bambi Bound, Bud White and Broken Home against each other.

The races will also see participation from a number of horses out of St Thomas in addition to two others from neighbouring St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

See race official card below:

 

 

10 Responses to “UPDATE: Races all set for Downs today, June 2”

  • ccc (30/05/2013, 07:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    nice read VINO..keep lovin your horse race coverage
  • qc (30/05/2013, 09:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    race card aitn that bad...
  • johnny (30/05/2013, 10:20) Like (3) Dislike (107) Reply
    Old riders in clown costumes, old horses full of fleas that can hardly walk let alone run and they still promoting this as a sport.

    Well Sah! It's about time this nonsense stopped and our state of the art cricket stadium be built
    • @ johnny (30/05/2013, 11:45) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      hahahahahahaha johnny you too funny
    • horse fan (30/05/2013, 12:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

      Hush You MooMoo R@$$! IF you do not like Horse then don't go. Right now horse race is bringing in more money than cricket I'm sure.

  • sea weed (30/05/2013, 20:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    How come jet blue not on the race card????
  • :) (30/05/2013, 21:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jet Blue Is Resting For August Tuesday
  • not going (02/06/2013, 12:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so half the horses did not come..me staying home in me bed....


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.