Unsociable, owned by Kenny Francis and ridden by Jose Hernandez, won the 5th clash of the Festive Finish race card, silencing the home crowd but delighting the Virgin Islands’ horse racing fans. Photo: VINO

The owner of Unsociable, Kenny Francis, proudly hoists the champion's trophy at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack. Photo: VINO

Some horse racing history was created when Anegada, thanks to Unsociable, won its first horse race at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St Thomas on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Photo: VINO

Unsociable and its jockey Jose Hernandez about to enter the winner's circle. Photo: VINO

With Friar Laurence inching up, Jose Hernandez willed Unsociable to dig deep to hold off his main challenger by a length. Photo: VINO

Emmett, the winner of the feature race and defeater of Pure Speight, about to make its way into the winner's circle. Photo: VINO

Emmett thrilled the crowd in the feature race at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack on December 21, 2025. Photo: VINO

Internationally renowned jockey Kevin Krigger had 3 wins at the Festive Finish horse races at Clinton E. Phipps Sr Racetrack on St Thomas on December 21, 2025. Photo: VINO

Unsociable, owned by Kenny Francis and ridden by Jose Hernandez, won the 5th clash of the Festive Finish race card, silencing the home crowd but delighting the Virgin Islands’ horse racing fans.

The race was run over 6 Furlongs for a purse of $16,500.

Unsociable took an early lead, which opened up to about two and a half lengths; however, Friar Laurence of St Thomas began to make a move as the horses exited the back straight.

With Friar Laurence inching up, Hernandez willed Unsociable to dig deep to hold off his main challenger by a length.

Mundo Mix o St Croix was third.

‘I never gave up on him’- Kenny Francis

The victory for Unsociable came after two unsuccessful runs at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack.

According to Mr Francis, he didn’t give up on his horse.

“He gave me a third and a fourth, but I never gave up on him.”

Asked what he did differently, Mr Francis said he gave the horse more exercise. We put in the work and it was time for action”.

Another horse, another win for Krigger against Pure Speight

The feature race delivered an exciting finish, and another victory for Kevin Krigger against speed demon Pure Speight of St Croixt, albeit Krigger was on a different horse.

Krigger had famously defeated Pure Speight while riding Floki’s Flight at the Labour Day Races on August 31, 2025.

As expected, Pure Speight took the early lead and looked certain for victory coming off the back straight leading by no less than two lengths.

And then came Krigger on Emmett.

Race fans were out of their seats as Emmett began to close the gap, even as Pure Speight was being pushed by its jockey.

It turned out to be another horse, but another victory for Krigger against Pure Speight, as Emmett took the win on the finish line.

Other results

Family Band from St Croix, a horse owned by George Knight and ridden by Kevin Krigger, won the first race of the day at Festive Finish at Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St Thomas. The race was run over 1 mile and was for Mares & Fillies classified as C& D horses.

The winning time was 142.4. The track record, 1:35.4, is still held by Timber Yield of Tortola.

Scoop There It Is was second, followed by Mean Town. Krazykatkousin was fourth while Irish Prophecy trailed in fifth.

Race 2, a mile race for Class D horses and fetching a purse of $11,500, was won by National Bid, ridden by Gene Hernandez, in a time of 142.2.

Race 3, run over 1 mile and 40 yards in pouring rain for a purse of $13,000, was taken by Protector.

The horse, ridden by Jose Hernandez, was not interested in entering the winner’s circle after the race.

Protector led from gate to wire to finish in a time of 156.3. Timber yield also holds that race record (1:35.4).

Race 4, which was for Mares and Fillies classified as Class B horses, saw Quincy Café taking a come-from-behind win. The winning purse was $14,000.

Storm Brave stormed bravely to the lead from the gate but ran out of steam coming off the final bend, as Quincy Café attacked and never looked back.

Modern Lane finished second, as Storm Brave faded to third.

It’s Krigger again!

The seventh and final race of the day saw renowned jockey Kevin Krigger taking his third win of the day.

Krigger rode Unrelentless to victory in the 6-furlong race for mares and fillies classified as A& B horses. The winning time was 111.4.

Raw Honey had to settle for second while Lacrosse took third. Fourth was Bombastic.