Thousands turned out at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on Sunday for the annual Christmas races and were treated to an unprecedented 13 highly competitive races.
The Cruzan Rum Classic, The Hovensa Cup, and the Governor’s Christmas Classic highlighted the 13-race card, and all 13 had somewhat surprise winners.
The Cruzan Rum Classic was the first of the three major races on the card to run. In that race, Sum Splendor of St. Thomas shocked local fans when he handed overwhelming race favorite, El Real Madrid, his second defeat in a row.
Sum Splendor took the lead around the far turn and repelled challenges from El Real Madrid, who finished second, and Green Sand, who closed well for a respectable third. Sum Splendor negotiated the one-mile distance in a time of 1:40.3 to take home the lion’s share of the $6,500 purse.
The Hovensa Cup was race 11 on the card. It was the final leg of the native Triple Crown, and with the previous two legs already won by different horses it was already assured that there would be no Triple Crown winners this year.
However, From Emeralds to Ruby’s, who won the 1 1/16-mile second leg, was looking forward to taking at least two legs of the contest and went off as the race favorite. It was not to be, however, as jockey Kevin Krigger aboard Small Fortune turned in a brilliant ride, guiding his mount to a shocking defeat of From Emeralds to Ruby’s.
In fact, the best the race favorite could do was a third-place finish. Small Fortune negotiated the 1 1/8-mile race in a time of 2:01 to take the $10,000 purse.
Scorbitt out of St. Thomas won the 12th race Governor’s Christmas Classic to give St. Thomas victories in three of the major races on Sunday.
Scorbitt, ridden by Christian Soto, made his debut in the territory a successful one in winning the Governor’s Christmas Classic—and he defeated a more highly touted newcomer, Eire’s Run, in the process.
The latter appeared to have had some early trouble adjusting to the surface of the track and was far back early. Appearing to finally get his footing, he closed like a runaway freight train but came up just short and had to settle for second. Expect Smoke outdueled Temo’s Dream for third. The time for the 1 1/8-mile race was 1:51.4.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race1 5F V.I. Bred M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:02.1
1. Irie Ites, Chrintian Soto
2. Belzona Red, Winston Hurst
3. Queen Agnes, Angel Viera
Race2 5 F Classes N-6, Jockey
Time: 1:03.4
1. Turnbull Delight, Winston Hurst
2. Joe boss, Elmo Barnes
3. Love City Slew, Steven Powell
Race3 7 ½ F Classes I-5, I-5(M/F) & I-6 C/G Jockey
Time: 1:37.4
1. Far Rumor, Elmo Barnes
2. According to Jesus, Angel Viera
3. Eds Value, Winston Hurst
Race4 1 M Classes I-3 & I-4(M/F) Jockey
Time: 1:42
1. Destiny Arrival, Winston Hurst
2. Dance Mistress, Angel Viera
3. Apron’s Dance, Alberto Ojeda
Race5 1 M Class I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:42.1
1. Wiseman’s Choice, Kevin Krigger
2. Big Thunder Reflec, Wilfredo Lozano
3. Mi Jesus, Angel Viera
Race6 1 1/8 M Classes I-2 & I-3, Jockey
Time: 1:53.1
1. Walk the Catwalk, Elmo Barnes
3. Gallant Ruler, Sunday Diaz
2. khun Dan, Jesus Rios
Race7 1 1/16 M Classes I-4 & I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:46
1. Blackjack Bob, Sunday Diaz
2. My Own Sky, Jesus Rios
3. Black Machine, Myris Rivera
Race8 1 1/16 M Classes I-1 & I-2 M/F, Jockey
Time: 1:47.4
1. Flankers Lady, Sunday Diaz
2. Finish in Style, Miguel Sanchez
3. Cinque Terre, Angel Viera
Race9 6 F Open Race, Jockey
Time: 1:12.2
1. Piquante Cat, Jesus Rios
2. Salty Glider, Sunday Diaz
3. Rotation, Miguel Sanchez
Race13 1-1/8 M Native Breds, Jockey
Time: 1:59
1. Dinero, Sunday Diaz
2. Creation Rebel, Kevin Krigger
3. Gold Finger, Miguel Nieves
Race7 1M Class I-1 & I-2, Jockey
Time: 1:40.1
“The Selosa Classic”
1. Sum Splendor, Chrintian Soto
2. Puertorican Emblem, Junior Inirio
3. Green Sand, Angel Viera
