Bud White pulled off a shocker at the Randal “James” Race Track Sunday, when he exploded out of the gates to wire the field and capture the second leg of the Johnnie Walker V.I. Triple Crown Challenge in a new track record time of 1:41.4 for the 1-1/16 miles distance. The record set in 1981 by Ed Milligan’s Native Rhythm had stood for almost 21 years before the St. Thomas representative, Bud White, obliterated it in front of a stunned record crowd. Many local fans that came out to see race favorite Slevin trample the field, which included the best thoroughbreds from St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Tortola, were left to ponder what could have gone wrong. 
At the break, as expected, the front running Bud White burst from the one hole and quickly raced to the front right next to Berberis, who was a half length back as they crossed the grand stand for the first time. The other front runner many had expected to see up front challenging for the lead, Political Reporter, was nowhere in sight. The fractions setting down by Bud White proved to be a little too hot for Berberis, and he was well off the pace by the time the field hit the back stretch. With no one else looking to contest for the lead, Bud White was able to relax and slow the pace.
As the horses approached the three-eighths pole, Slevin picked up the chase and was gaining rapidly on the leader around the far turn, but at the top of the stretch it was obvious that Bud White had a lot left in the tank: there was no catching him today.
Jockey Jose Lopez asked Bud White for more, and he responded by turning away the mild challenge from Slevin, pulling away to win by 3-1/4 lengths at the wire. Slevin held on for second three lengths clear of East End Tap of Tortola, who closed for third.
Broken Home, another newcomer, evened the track record of 1:09.4 for six furlongs when he defeated five rivals in the Mongoose Sprint Classic, the eighth race on the card. He tied the mark set by El Real Madrid on October 10, 2010. Aircraft Intercept of St. Thomas was second, with Groomsman a distant third. Broken home was ridden by jockey Edwin Cosme.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race1 7 F Classes N-6, Jockey
Time: 1:01.1
1. Cruzan Emerald, W. Hurst
2. Tru Gold, E. Barnes
3. Hanna Boss, A. Claudio
Race2 6 F Class I-5(M/F) & I-4(C/G), Jockey
Time: 1:14.3
1. Excessively Classy, M. Rivera
2 Dorado Missile, W. Hurst
3. Utuado City, S. Ortiz
Race3 6F Class I-5 & I-6, Jockey
Time: 1:12.3
1. Game Winner, S. Diaz
2. Far Rumor, E. Barnes
3. What’s Poppin, S. Ortiz
Race4 7 ½ F Classes N-5, Jockey
Time: 1:29
1. Love City Slew (STT), J. Lopez
2. Super pop, W. Hurst
3. Miss Kosi, Sunday Diaz
Race5 7 ½ F Class I-4 (M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:32
1. Prodefrere, S. Ortiz
2. Rasta Queen, W. Hurst
3. Paul’s Gift, E. Cosme
Race6 1M Class I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:40.1
1. Full house Project, S. Ortiz
2. Salty Glider, E. Soto
3. Thanks McGovern, W. Hurst
Race7 1M Class I-3 & I-4, Jockey
Time: 1:38.4
1. Green Sand, S. Diaz
2. San Viron, J. Guadalupe
3. Going Blue, J. Santiago
Race9 1M “V.I. Bred Open Race”, Jockey
Time: 1:41.2
1. Prince Crystal, E. Barnes
2. Creation Rebel, E. Cosme
3. Irie Ites, C. Soto jr.
Race10 1M “Ag Fair Classic”, Jockey
Time: 1:37.2
1. Big D, W. Hurst
2. Puerto Rican Emblem, S. Ortiz
3. Sweet Sight (STT), E. Cosme
Race12 1M Class I-1, I-2, & I-3 (M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:39.2
1. Out of Wine, E. Barnes
2. Whoshotthesheriff, S. Ortiz
3. Tumbleweeds, M. Rivera
