Sunday afternoon at the Randall “Doc” James racetrack a good crowd saw Dinero and Gallant Ruler win the co-featured races of the day in the Buddhoe and Independence Day Classics.
They also saw jockey Junior Inirio win the first five races on Sunday’s card, but was stopped in the sixth when newcomer Groomsman wired the field in a 7.5- furlong encounter.
The Buddhoe classic, run at a distance of one mile for native thoroughbreds, saw Dinero with Angel Viera in the irons hooked up in a stretch battle with Creation Rebel and jockey Miguel Sanchez. As they ran down the stretch, it looked as if it could be anybody’s race, but Viera was able to push his mount to a neck-long advantage as they crossed the wire at the finish in a time of 1:44.1.
Miss Kosi and jockey Jesus Guadelupe set the early fraction with a very good three-furlong time of 36 seconds flat. However, that early burst may have cost her in the long run, as she did not have much to give as the top two ran by her around the far turn. She was still able to hold on for third though.
The Independence Day Classic was billed as a clash of the titans as four of the top thoroughbreds in the territory were supposed to hooked up in the one mile co-feature race of the day. However, two horses were scratched, which left a field of two horses in Formal King, ridden by jockey Ibuiril Vaz, and Gallant Ruler ridden by Junior Inirio. Even with just the two horses, many fans in the stands expected a good race with Formal King coming off of a great victory in his last race and Gallant Ruler regarded as one of the top two or three thoroughbreds. What they got, however, was anything but—as Gallant Ruler destroyed Formal King by some 15.5 lengths.
Both horses broke well and ran as one around clubhouse turn into the backstretch, where it seemed Gallant Ruler had a slight head advantage. As they approached the far turn they still looked as if they were connected at the hip, but Gallant Ruler exploded out of the turn for home at the top of the stretch.
It was as if Formal King had stopped, because in an instant he was behind 5, 6, 7 lengths and widening with every stride of Gallant Ruler. In mid-stretch, Inirio took his foot off of the gas and let his mount, now with a commanding lead, cruise the rest of the way to the wire. He negotiated the one-mile distance in an unhurried 1:41.1.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race1 5 F Class N-6, Jockey
Time: 1:05.3
1. Small Fortune, Junior Inirio
2. Teck That, Miguel Sanchez
3., Midnight Indictment, Steven Powell
Race2 6 F Class N5/I5(M/F) & I6 C/G, Jockey
Time: 1:14
1. Apron’s dance, Junior Inirio
2. Sarosata May Bell, Daniel Bernardini
3. Qualifying Asset, Christian Soto, Jr.
Race31 1 M Class I5 & I6, Jockey
Time: 1:41.2
1. Wiseman’s Choice, Junior Inirio
2. Prototype, Miguel Sanchez
3. Tulsa Boy, Alphonso Claudio
Race4 1M I-1 to I-4 M/F, Jockey
Time: 1:39.4
1. Leggy Blonde, Junior Inirio
2. Cinque Terre, Angel Viera
3. Destiny Arrival, Elmo Barnes
Race5 5F Open Race M/F, Jockey
Time: 58.3
1. Flankers Lady, Junior Inirio
2. WonderifIamSpecial, Christian Soto, Jr.
3. YIMC Sword, Elmo Barnes
Race6 7 ½ F I-3 & I-4, Jockey
Time: 1:33
1. Groomsman, Jesus Guadelupe
2. Heats on Fire, Miguel Sanchez
3. Daddy Eddie, Junior Inirio
Race7 1M F I-2 & I-3, Jockey
Time: 1:39.2
1. Green Sand, Angel Viera
2. Blackjack Bob, Christian Soto, Jr.
3. Charlie Cho, Elmo Barnes
Race6 7 F I-4 & I-5 Jockey
Time: 1:26.1
1. Dixie Find, Miguel Sanchez
2. Mi Jesus, Angel Viera
3. Ala Cat, Jesus Guadelupe