Dec. 24, 2006 — The horses will be off and running for the annual Christmas races at the Randall "Doc" James racetrack on Tuesday on a card that will feature 10 well-matched races.
Local racing fans will get a chance to see Teddy Brows 10-year-old dark bay gelding, former V.I. champ Heart At Risk, run the final race of what has been a very successful career in the territory.
Trained by Brows son, Steve, Heart at Risk compiled an impressive record in his 34 starts in the territory. His record: 34 starts, 23 wins, six seconds, two thirds and only three finishes out of the money. His 23 first-place finishes included seven stakes wins, listed in chronological order:
1. September 1, 2003 — Munster Handicap
2. December 26, 2003 — Cruzan Rum Handicap
3. April 30, 2004 — St. Thomas Carnivals Governors Cup
4. May 5, 2004 — Mr. West Handicap
5. December 11, 2005 — Boydon Inc. of St. John Handicap (St. Thomas)
6. December 26, 2005 — V.I. Lottery Handicap
7. July 4, 2006 — John deJongh Handicap
Known as one of the toughest campaigners at the track in recent years, Heart at Risk was a horse that would battle from gate to wire. So many times fans have seen him passed in the stretch by the competition only to fight back at the wire. He has always represented St. Croix well in inter-island competition, going up against some very tough campaigners from St. Thomas and Tortola. His final race on Tuesday, the days feature race, will run at a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles for a $6000 purse.
Coming across the pond to challenge him in his swan-song race will be two of St. Thomas' top race horses, Wauwinet (117) and Vivid Cat (117). Also coming from St. Thomas will be newcomer Gins Dancer (118), making his debut on St. Croix. Heart at Risk will also get some very tough competition from a couple of local entrants, Danzig Mon (115) and Gallego (117). The latter, a late-running chestnut gelding, beat Heart at Risk in their last head-to-head matchup.
Tuesdays card will also feature the third and final leg of the native-bred Triple Crown at a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles for a purse of $3000. The overwhelming favorite will undoubtedly be Delroy Thomas sensational three-year-old filly, Guavaberry Star (113). So far she has taken the first two legs of the triple crown without much of a challenge.
Guavaberry Star will go up against the best of the rest of the native thoroughbreds in former champ All Eyes on Me (118), Geepers Creepers (118), Wild Wisdom (118) and Fantastic Four (115).
The rest of Tuesdays card:
Race 1 Classes F1 7 1/2 F $3800
1. Winner Cat 114
2. Tia Tata 112
3. Tobaco Y Ron 116
4. Demarshe 114
5. Another Wanda 114
6. Shysie 111
7. Danias Weapon 112
Race 2 Class F2 7 1/2 F $3736
1. Queen Mary 113
2. Bahawani 111
3. Little Taheim 115
4. Fightforyourrights 115
5. Shot in the Morn 115
6. Smart Money 113
Race 3 Class E 1and 1/16 Miles $4000
1. Villa Oro 115
2. Him Did It 115
3. Cat Hunter 115
4. Prayerful (STT) 115
5. Tulsa Boy 115
6. Eagle Feather 115
7. Honor Bonus 114
8. Prospector Fevor 113
Race 4 Open M & F 1 and 1/16 Ms $4200
1. Pure Americana 113
2. Scats Mine 111
3. Eloquent Dawn 122
4. Trick Hunter 113
5. Mrs. Nervio 111
Race 5 Class D&E 7 and 1/2 F $4200
1. Barchetta 116
2. Top Ranking 113
3. Sarazen Blade 114
4. Guiltless 113
5. In the Quick 114
6. Family Deelite 115
7. Escapades Prince (STT) 114
8. Rubianos Jewel 117
Race 6 Classes C&D 1 Mile $4400
1. Picklewhip Charles (STT) 120
2. Bey Ivan (STT) 113
3. Straw Boss 114
4. Itsanewday (STT) 115
5. All the Kings Gems 115
Race 7 Classes B&C 1 Mile $4500
1. Broken Fuse 114
2. Preceptor 116
3. El Chuso 116
4. Winners Share 118
5. Top Carte (STT)(Debut) 118
Race 10 Class H 4 F $2000
1. High Times 116
2. Sonic 114
3. Secret Weapon 118
4. Deh Boogie Man 114
5. Mr. Vegas 114
6. Pull the Trigger 111
7. Rob-De-Man 114
8. Elegant Eve 116
A/E Ashanti (Debut)
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