Photo: St Moose (left) and My Pal Shawn. VINO/Provided

And this time around it has been assured that there will be a veterinarian on standby at the track for the duration of the event. In addition to this there will be an ambulance and a backhoe on standby. Photo: VINO/File

Speaking with this news site yesterday January 7, 2016, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association Patsy C. Lake confirmed that a veterinary doctor will be there. Photo: VINO/File

My Pal Shawn and Bitter Sweet Dream out of the gates at the December 27, 2015 Boxing Day races. Photo: VINO/File

The winner of the feature race gets a whopping $20,000. Photo: VINO/File

The feature race will see a clash of two of the best horses in the Greater Virgin Islands- My Pal Shawn of Tortola and St Moose of St Croix, US Virgin Islands.

And this time around it has been assured that there will be a veterinarian on standby at the track for the duration of the event. In addition, there will be an ambulance and a backhoe on standby.

Speaking with this news site yesterday January 7, 2016, President of the Virgin Islands Horse Owners’ Association Patsy C. Lake confirmed that a veterinary doctor will be there.

“There have been arrangements made for a vet and a backhoe to be on the track,” she said. “And also an ambulance,” she added.

It was a tragic day last race day at Ellis Thomas Downs when champion horse Doughmaker, owned by L&B Racing Stables, fell and broke both front legs and as a result had to be euthanised. However, co-owner Violet ‘Letty’ Delville-Hodge alleged that her horse had to suffer for about an hour before a veterinarian was available to tend to it and administer the lethal injection to put it to sleep.

Proposed card

According to the proposed race card seen by this news site, the feature race is race five, a one mile for Class A horses, and it features My Pal Shawn owned by Family Affair Stables, St Moose of St Croix owned by James Bates, Pumped Up Kicks of St Thomas owned by Brother’s Stable, Giant Valley of St Thomas owned by Dem Man Stables, Suspicious U making its debut from St Croix and owned by Benny Blanco, and Bellamy Chief making its debut and owned by Top Priority Racing Stables. This race has a purse of $20,000.

Race one will be a six and a half furlong race for Class E horses for a purse of $5,000. Competing in this event will be L&B Thunder owned by L&B Racing Stables, Joshua owned by Top Priority Stables, Dramacidel owned by Case Closed Stables, Power Ten owned by Zion Stables and Orithyia owned by Thomasville Stables.

Race two is a seven furlong event for Class D horses for a purse of $5,000 and competing in this are Optionality owned by L&B Racing Stables, Sir Whiskey owned by The Boy’s Stables, Mark It A Wynn owned by One Time for One Time Stables, Meddling Birdie owned by Mission House Stables, Tail White, making its debut, owned by No Nonsense Stables out of St Thomas and Grand Family of St Thomas owned by Laquan Charleswell.

Race three is a seven furlong race for Class C horses for a purse of $5,500 and features Buy Buy Buy of 284 Racing Stables, I’m Sensational out of St Thomas owned by No Limits Stables, Sin Mirar Atras owned by The Boys Stables, Bar Magic out of St Thomas owned by Frankie Nelson and Brass Note out of St Croix owned by C. Sarrano/D. Brady Jr.

Race four is a seven furlong affair for Class C and D mares and fillies for a purse of $5,300.00 and will feature Miss Homer owned by Kierra Hodge, Motion to Appeal owned by Case Closed/BW, Extra Dinner of St Croix owned by Delroy Byron III and Crazy Laura making its debut and owned by Top Priority Racing Stables.

Race six is a seven furlong race for Class B horses for a purse of $10,000 and running in this race will be Chilean Boy owned by Top Priority Stables, Uptown Anthem of St Croix owned by Kai James, Wrol Up owned by The Boys Stables, Bitter Sweet Dream owned by L&B Racing Stables and Honors owned by Family Affair Stables.

For race seven, it will be a six and a half furlong race for Class C horses and running in this one will be Yes By Eric owned by The Boys Stables, Bling Blang of St Thomas owned by Gar/VI Stanz, Daboluck making its debut and owned by Thomasville Stables, Gottocha Bob owned by Mission House Stables, Atorrante owned by 284 Racing Stables and Star Ship Titan owned by Strictly Business Stables.

Come out early

“Get dressed and come out early [as] the Feature race this year between the Giant of giants will be earlier than usual,” said a flyer from the Association.

It said children 10 and under are free. “Between races we have a $200.00 cash prize waiting for you for the best dressed Father and Son and the best dressed Mother and Daughter at the races. A special $200.00 cash prize will be given to the best dressed 6-10 year old girl and boy. Buy a ticket for only $5.00 and win a flat screen TV. It will be a fun filled day of entertainment and great competitive VI horse racing. Bring the family out and have a grand time,” the Association said.

Races begin 12:30 pm sharp and they will be on time, the Association said, adding that entertainment will be by VIBE, Ritical and DJ Push Pop.

You can find proposed race card HERE.