President of the VI Horse Owners Association Mr Lesmore Smith has confirmed that the horses from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands are expected to arrive on Tortola within the next hour, today April 18, 2019 to compete in the Easter Races at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay on Sunday April 21, 2019. Photo: VINO/File

Flying to Honor (left) and Burndines are two of the horses from Antigua expected to feature at the Easter Races at Ellis Thomas Downs on April 21, 2019. The participation of the St Thomas, US Virgin Islands horses is now uncertain. Photo: Team of Reporters

The flyer for the 2019 Easter Races at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay on April 21, 2019. Photo: Facebook

The horses, along with their handles and owners, were scheduled to arrive earlier today but the US Coast Guard reportedly intercepted the barge they were coming on, causing a delay.

It is unclear whether the same barge intercepted is ferrying the horses to Tortola or another one was used. Nevertheless it will be good news for horse racing fans and organisors alike.

Confirmation of the horses arriving this evening was made by President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Mr Lesmore Smith.

"The horses will be arriving within the next hour," Mr Smith told Virgin Islands News Online, while noting that he had no information regarding reports of the barge being stopped by the US Coast Guard.

"I don't know the issues of the US Coast Guard stopping the barge," Mr Smith stated.

See previous article published April 18, 2019

Barge with STT horses turned back by US Coast Guard

Word reaching Virgin Islands News Online is that the barge transporting horses from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, to Tortola for the Easter Sunday Races at Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay has been intercepted by the US Coast Guard.

It is now unclear whether the horses will be participating in the Easter Sunday Races, although, this news site was told the horses may come over on a different barge.

According to reports, the barge was required to turn back to St Thomas as there were “documents issues”. Our newsroom; however, could not confirm this information up to the time of publication.

President of the VI Horse Owners Association Mr Lesmore Smith, when contacted about the reports of the barge being returned to port by the US Coast Guard only said: “I cannot confirm anything.”

The proposed 6-race card was expected to be a showdown among horses from St Thomas, Tortola and Antigua. Antigua horses will be participating in the Easter Races at Ellis Thomas Downs for the first time.

The line-up for the feature race has Totally Evil and Thulean (debut) of St Thomas, Moon Light Bandit and Kelly Tough of Tortola and Burndines and Flying to Honor of Antigua.

Reports are that the Antigua horses are already on island.

Post Time on Easter Sunday is 1:30pm.

See proposed race card below: