Cherokee Law laid down the law and served notice that he is a force to be reckoned with in the top tier of V.I. thoroughbred racing with an impressive victory in Sunday’s one-mile feature at the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack.
The winner negotiated the one-mile distance in 1:37.2 to take home the lion’s share of the $4,000 purse. He was ridden by the hottest jockey at the track on Sunday, Kerwin John, who won an impressive seven of the nine races on the card. John is a Cruzan-born jockey who plies his trade in the states but comes home at times for the races. He really looked a step above the competition on Sunday.
At the break, as expected, the front-running Green Sand dashed to the lead, but right there in his hip pocket was the new sheriff in town, Cherokee Law, staying close. Green Sand, with Angel Viera in the irons, has been known to steal a race by getting a big early lead, then holding off opponents, but on Sunday the Cherokee Law connection was not going to let him have his way. In what was obviously a two-horse race from the start, the two were never more than a length apart. John seemed happy to settle into a very-close-second spot.
Green Sand would maintain his lead in the run down the back stretch, with Cherokee Law right there on his right rump. Formally Cat, with jockey Christian Soto Jr. aboard, was another three lengths back, with Black Jack Bob and jockey Kevin Krigger a little further back, bringing up the rear. As the horses approach the three-eighths marker, John asked his mount for a little more, and the Law responded by moving up alongside Green Sand.
As they rounded the turn, Cherokee Law gradually began to inch ahead, but when they turned for home at the top of the stretch, he really kicked it into high gear, assuming a clear lead and drawing away with every stride to the delight of cheering fans in the pavilion and on the ground. He would cross the finish line six lengths ahead of Green Sand, who held on for a clear second. Black Jack Bob overtook Formally Cat for third spot in the four-horse field.
In a race for native thoroughbreds, Emerald Star’s star shone brightly on Sunday when he shocked overwhelming race favorite Prince Crystal by a head in the 7 1/2-furlong sixth race, finishing in 1:36.1. Prince Crystal, with Jesus Guadelupe in the irons, came with his patented huge closing kick in the stretch, but John pushed Emerald Star just enough to hold on for a very close, hard-earned victory. War, who also ran a very game race with Soto aboard, held on for third over the talented Express to California, who did not show anything on Sunday.
Big Kate was another impressive winner as she wired a seven-horse field in the 7 1/2-furlong fifth race under jockey Soto. She won going away by some nine lengths, and negotiated the race in a time of 1:32.3. Big Kate now sets her sights on arguably the best mare in the territory, Bold Cleo, after her third consecutive easy victory. Trainer David Brady, who has this mare clicking on all cylinders, said he is ready for all comers. Coming in a distant second was Sarasota May Bell with Miguel Sanchez in irons, followed by Destiny’s Arrival and jockey Elmo Barnes.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race 1 4 F Class H, Jockey
Time: 49.4
1. High Times, Christian Soto
2. Fifty Cents, Elmo Barnes
3. Every Dollar Count, Steven Powell
Race 2 5 F Class N-6, Jockey
Time: 1:02
1. Creation Rebel, Kerwin John
2. Dinero, Christian Soto
3. Gold Sizzler, Steven Powell
Race 3 5 F Class I-4&5, Jockey
Time: 1:00.2
1. YIMC Sword, Kerwin John
2. Cherokee Neesh, Alberto Ojeda
3. Apron Dance, Miguel Sanchez
Race 4 7 1/2 F Class I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:33
1. Russian Way, Kerwin John
2. Big Thunder Reflec, Elmo Barnes
3. Wiseman’s Choice, Christian Soto
Race 7 1M Class I-3&4, Jockey
Time: 1:39
1. Heats on Fire, Kerwin John
2. Prayerful (STT), Miguel Sanchez
3. Black Machine, Alberto Ojeda
Race 9 6F Class I-2&3, Jockey
Time: 1:10.4
1. Puertorican Emblem, Kerwin John
2. Little Boy Brew, Kevin Krigger
3. Dixie Find, Miguel Sanchez
