Dec. 1, 2008 — Sunday at the Randall "Doc" James racetrack, Velma Dunbar's gray gelding, Carse, easily extended his winning streak to seven in a row by destroying a four-horse field in the one-mile Turkey Ball Handicap by five lengths in a time of 1:36.2.
With regular jockey Elmo Barnes in the irons and carrying a top weight of 121 pounds, the V.I. champion's time was a fifth of a second off of the track record of 1:36.1. Carse returned fractions of 11.3, 23.0, 34.0, 46.2, and 58.2, 1:10.4, 1:23.3, to finish in 1:36.2. His time of 1:23.3 for seven furlongs would have eclipsed the track record for seven furlongs, which presently stands at 1:24.
It was another impressive victory for the Carse connection, and Dunbar said her only concern — as it is in every race he runs — is his health after the race.
"I was not really worried about the competition, but in any race anything can happen, so I always worry about his health coming out of the race," she said.
Asked about the next big challenge for Casre, Dunbar's daughter, Nefertiti O'Brien, responded, "Well the new horse that won The Wadada sprint is supposed to be good, so we hope to see him for the Christmas races."
Sunday's race was an even break as the horses broke as one across the track. By the time the group reached the grandstand for the first time, however, Carse had opened up a two-length lead. He took the field around the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch maintaining his advantage.
He was followed by Eltish Emerald with jockey Marlon Edwin in second, newcomer Charlie Echo with jockey Angel Viera in third and the late-running Gallego and jockey Christian Soto bringing up the rear. The field was in that same order as the horses approached the far turn.
Eltish Emerald appeared to gain slightly on Carse at the three-eights marker, but the gray bullet kicked it into high gear and began to draw away coming into the top of the stretch. It was evident by then that the race was over, and there was no catching Carse at that point. By mid-stretch, Barnes had the champ on cruise control and he crossed the finished line triumphantly, standing in the irons, with Eltish Emerald a clear but distant second. In the battle for third, Gallego was able to get by Charlie Echo.
The rest of the day's results:
Race1 5 F Classes N-6
Time: 1:03
1. Them Ah Talk, Alphonso Claudio
2. A'Wi, Kevin Krigger
3. True Confession, Junior Inirio
Race 2 7 1/2 F Class I-5 & I-6, Jockey
Time: 1:32.1
1. Halos Horn, Kevin Krigger
2. PR General, Angel Viera
3. My Dream Team, Miguel Sanchez
Race 3 1 M F & M
Time: 1:39.2
1. Get Ready Now, Junior Inirio
2. Look Up Look Up, Jesus Guadelupe
3. Amazing Cat, Steven Powell
Race 4 1M Class I-4 & I-5
Time: 1:38.1
1. Puerto Rican Emblem, Christian Soto
2. Guiltless, Kevin Krigger
3. Goof Sims, Warren Knight
Race 5 7 1/2 F Classes I-3 & I-4
Time: 1:32.4
1. Green Sand, Angel Viera
2. Formally Cat, Kevin Krigger
3. Big Thunder Reflec, Marlon Edwin
Race 6 1M Native Classic
Time: 1:40.3
1. Fantastic Four, Kevin Krigger
2. King David, Junior Inirio
3. Prince Crystal, Elmo Barnes
Race 7 5 F "The Wadada"
Time: 58.2
1. Miner's Bid, Kevin Krigger
2. Marfin Express, Angel Viera
3. Black Jack Bob, Junior Inirio
Race 9 7 F Classes N-5 & N-6
Time: 1:34.1
1. Emerald Star, Christian Soto
2. Papa Birin, Alphonso Claudio
3. Fantasia, Kevin Krigger
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