Nov. 26, 2007 — Kentucky Kris made it look easy Sunday, winning the Randall "Doc" James Racetrack's ninth race, the 1 and 1/16 mile Theodore Brow Classic, in 1:45 flat.
Leroy A. Gottleb’s chestnut gelding ran just off the pace behind the front-running Blackjack Bob and jockey Kerwin John before making his move at the 3/8 pole to take over the lead for good. After that the race was for second place, as no one was going to catch Kentucky Kris and jockey Jose Rohena.
"He has been running well, but you never know in horse race," Gottleb said after the race. "We were confident coming to this race, and he showed that he was ready. We may run once on St. Thomas before bring him back to St. Croix for the Christmas races."
What will the other owners have to do to beat his horse?
"They will have to go shopping, and when they go shopping they will have to spend a lot of money to buy a horse that could beat him," Gottleb said.
At the break, Blackjack Bob streaked to the early lead, followed by Kentucky Kris, followed by the late-running duo of Gallego with jockey Junior Inirio and Silver Horn with jockey Angel Stanley in the irons. Blackjack Bob took the field around the clubhouse turn and into the back stretch. He opened as much as a two-length lead on Kentucky Kris and the rest of the field midway down the backstretch before they started to reel him in as they approached the far turn.
Moving fastest of all, however, was Kentucky Kris, who swept by Blackjack Bob. He was followed by Silver Horn and Gallego, also going by Blackjack Bob, who was fading fast. As they turned for home, Stanley, in a hand ride, pushed Kentucky Kris down the stretch, with Silver Horn trying his best to close the gap, but he was just no match for the V.I. champ. Kentucky Kris cruised under the wire, a two-length winner over Silver Horn in second, followed by Gallego in third and Blackjack Bob a distant fourth.
In the much-ballyhooed second leg of the native Triple Crown and the eighth race on the card, Fantastic Four was an easy winner. He wired the field after his main adversary and winner of the first leg, Guavaberry Star, refused to go into the starting gate. She was a late scratch at the gate. The final results of the V.I. Lottery Native Classic was Fantastic Four with jockey Elmo Barnes in first, All Eyes on Me and jockey Kerwin John second, King David with Jose Rohena third and Quelbe Queen with Miguel Sanchez in the irons fourth.
The rest of the day’s results are as follows:
Race1 5 F Class H, Jockey
Time: 1:04.4
1. Beyonce, Kerwin John
2. Big Pimping, Alphonso Claudio
3. Every Dollar Count, Christian Soto
Race2 7 F Class F(2)
Time: 1:35.1
1. Little Tahiem, Alphonso Claudio
2. Fantasia, Elmo Barnes
3. Heavenly Brass, Christian Soto
Race3 7 1/2 F Class F (1)
Time: 1:35.
1. Amazing Cat, Kerwin John
2. Trick Hunter, Junior Inirio
3. Tia Tata, Jose Rohena
Race4 7 1/2 F Class D & E
Time: 1:35.4
1. Tulsa Boy, Christian Soto
2. Prospector Fever, Junior Inirio
3. Oriental Tiger, Miguel Sanchez
Race5 7 1/2 F Classes C&D
Time: 1:33.3
1. Heza Firecracker, Christian Soto
2. Formally Cat, Jesus Guadelupe
3. Secrets Flying, Miguel Sanchez
Race6 1 M Fillies & Mares
Time: 1:39.4
1. Mystery Time, Junior Inirio
2. She’s got the Helm, Christian Soto
3. Eltish Mota, Angel Stanley
Race7 1 M Classes A&B
Time: 1:39.3
1. Carson Secrets, Kerwin John
2. My Dream team, Jose Rohena
3. Strong Passer, Junior Inirio
Race10 5 F Class G
Time: 1:03.3
1. Tristich, Elmo Barnes
2. Mario Candelario, Kerwin John
3. A’wi, Jesus Guadelupe
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