Tortola’s Really Uptown broke the Randall “Doc” James racetrack record for the 1-1/8 miles distance in Sunday’s 12th race as the horse continues his dominance over Virgin Islands thoroughbred racing. Really Uptown made short work of a field that included the very best horses of the U.S. and British territories in the Agriculture Fair weekend’s “Flamboyant Stakes.”
The expected battle that many hoped to see between the winner and Slevin, the St. Croix-based former record holder, never materialized as Really Uptown was just too good. In fact the BVI runners took the top two spots in the race as Good Prospecting rallied past Slevin near the wire to claim second place.
At the break Gato Paso was quickest out of the gates and he took the field past the grand stand for the first time with a slight advantage over Really Uptown in a close-up second.
By the time the field hit the back stretch, Really Uptown was where he likes to run, on the lead. Gato Paso was a struggling second, Slevin in third, and the rest of the field bunched in the back. As they approached the far turn, Slevin put in his bid and moved to challenge the frontrunner, but that challenge, to the delight of the St. Thomas and BVI fans, was staunchly rebuffed by the champ.
From that moment on, it was obvious that the race would be for second place. Really Uptown pulled away from Slevin and the rest of the field with such authority that, by the time they turned for home, he was in front by four lengths.
Really Uptown was so far ahead by mid-stretch that jockey Angel Soto stood in the saddle and turned to look at the positions of his rivals. From that position of triumph, Soto saluted the crowd as Really Uptown crossed the finish line in a record time of 1:48.3.
Slevin, to the disappointment of local fans, finished a tiring third, followed by Gato Paso, Sweet Sight, and Political Reporter.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race1 5 F Classes N-4, Jockey
Time: 1:02
1. Delilah, W. Hurst
2. Mother Mel, M. Rivera
3. JPD Yung, C. Soto
Race2 7F Class I-5(M/F) & I-6, Jockey
Time: 1:27.3
1. Quilla, A. Hernandez
2. Moma Africa, W. Hurst
3. Cash City, C. Soto
Race3 7 ½ F Classes N-3(M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:35.3
1. Fast Return, J. Hernandez
2. Mama Linda, A. Hernandez
3. Diamond Colony, E. Barnes
Race4 1 M I-5, (C/G), Jockey
Time: 1:32
1. Australis Forever, J. Guadelupe
2. Blast of Macho, M. Sanchez
3. El Hombre Grande, E. Barnes
Race5 7 ½ F I-3&4, (M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:33.2
1. Don Gongui, S. Ortiz
2. Apron Dance, E. Barnes
3. Whoshotthesheriff, W. Hurst
Race6 7 ½ F Class I-4, Jockey
Time: 1:33.0
1. Joyful Minister, S. Ortiz
2. Derby Nation, J. Guadalupe
3. San Viron, A. Claudio
Race7 1 M Class I-4&5, Jockey
Time: 1:39.3
1. Lucky Yair, S. Ortiz
2. Her Argument, J. Hernandez
3. Costly Approval, A. Claudio
Race8 1M Class I-3, Jockey
Time: 1:38
1. Plotter, C. Soto
2. BlackJack Bob, B. Gonzalez
3. According to Jesus, J. Hernandez
Race9 6 F Open Race, Jockey
Time: 1:11.0
1. Broken Vow, Arilius Vaz
2. Bambi Bound, A. Hernandez
3. Twisted Dream, M. Sanchez
Race10 1M Class I-3, Jockey
Time: 1:37.2
1. Congo, M. Sanchez
2. Expect Smoke, S. Ortiz
3. Puerto Rican Emblem, A. Hernandez
Race11 7 ½ Open Race, (M/F), Jockey
Time: 1:32
1. Turned to Gold, M. Sanchez
2. Lea the Punisher, A. Hernandez
3. Blake’sluckypenny, Arilius Vaz
Race13 1 M Open Race VI Bred, Jockey
Time: 1:42.2
1. Creation Rebel, J. Hernandez
2. Cruzan Emerald, S. Ortiz
3. Yahboribos Weapon, W. Hurst
