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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesGallant Ruler and Soul Spirit Battle to the Wire in Emancipation Stakes

Gallant Ruler and Soul Spirit Battle to the Wire in Emancipation Stakes





A large crowd showed up at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack Sunday for the annual Emancipation Day Races, and they were treated to 10 of 11 highly competitive races on the Virgin Islands’ big track.

Some races were so close that some race fans and trainers could be heard voicing their disappointment of the track not having a photo-finish camera. The stewards, however, do the best they can with the equipment they have.

The biggest dispute of the day, however, came in the featured 10th race, the 1 1/16-mile Emancipation Stakes, and that did not need a photo-finish camera. Soul Spirit crossed the finish line ahead of Gallant Ruler of St. Thomas, but he was disqualified and placed second for bumping the latter in the stretch run.

It took the stewards almost 30 minutes to render a decision, but that was caused by the tardiness of the tape with the head-on shot being delivered to them. Once they saw the tape, the decision was made that Soul Spirit did impede Gallant Ruler and the order of finish was reversed. All in all it was still a great race to watch.

At the break, as expected, the speedster Dashing Pirate of St. Thomas, with jockey Alberto Ojeda, dashed to the front and led the field by the grandstand the first time around. He quickly opened some three lengths on the field as they made their around the clubhouse turn, followed by Little Boy Brew with jockey Angel Viera in the irons and Gallant Ruler with Andy Hernandez aboard.

Dashing Pirate was cruising out front all alone, but midway down the backstretch Gallant Ruler made his move and, at the same time, Soul Spirit with Kerwin John in the irons also began his run from far back. Gallant Ruler collared Dashing Pirate around the far turn, but right there in his hip pocket was Soul Spirit, who was finally showing the class he was expected to bring to St. Croix. When they turned for home, a roar went up from the crowd as it was now three across the track: Dashing Pirate on the outside, Gallant Ruler in the middle and Soul Spirit now dead even on the outside.

The problem started when the now front-running trio straightened up at the top of the stretch for the run to the wire. This is where it was determined that some bumping occurred that led to the disqualification. As they came down the lane, Soul Spirit — according to the stewards — bumped Gallant ruler and impeded his progress.

The horses, however, put on a show with their stretch duel for the cheering crowd, which at the time was unaware of any infraction. Gallant Ruler and Soul Spirit put away Dashing Pirate just before the mile marker and they then battled as one, actually touching at times, toward the fast-approaching finish line. Soul Spirit seemed to have a bit more as the wire drew near, and he was able to edge his way clear and, at that moment, seemed to be the winner by a head. After the disqualification, the official order of finish became Gallant Ruler first and Soul Spirit second, with Dashing Pirate a tired third.

It must be noted however, that Soul Spirit, after two races on St. Croix, finally showed what many on the big island expected to see from him, and he should be a huge player in local racing in the foreseeable future after negotiating the 1 1/16 miles in a time of 1:45.1.

The lone one-sided race on Sunday was the five-furlongs fourth race Fire Burn Classic, in which Cuyuni Waters of St. Thomas, with jockey Junior Inirio, blazed his way around the “Doc” James oval to set a new five-furlong track record of 57.1. The old mark was set by Wadada in April 1991. The Cuyuni Waters connections came to St. Croix with a new track record in mind, and their horse did not disappoint. Falcon’s Peak with jockey Elliot Morales and Unbridled Legend with Viera finished second and third, respectively.

In the one-mile ninth race Independence Day Handicap, Lost River with Kevin Krigger in the irons came from just off the pace to nail Magic Alphabet and jockey Andy Hernandez at the wire in a time of 1:38. Man The Torpedoes of St. Thomas with Inirio aboard closed for third.

The rest of the day’s results:

Race 1 4 1/2 F H, Jockey
Time: :59
1. Juanito, Alphonso Claudio

2. Emerald Princess, Kerwin John

3. Sativa, Jesus Guadelupe

Race 2 6 F Lady Classic, Jockey
Time: :55
2. Dana Express, Kevin Krigger

1. Fantasia, Junior Inirio

3. War, Christian Soto

Race 3 5F Bottom Belly Classic (M&F), Jockey
Time: .59
1. Summertime Babe (STT), Alberto Ojeda

2. Beautiful Move, Kerwin John

3. Big Kate, Christian Soto

Race 5 7 1/2 F I-5 & I-6, Jockey
Time: 1:33.3
1. Leggy Blond, Junior Inirio

2. Bright Moonlight, Kerwin John

3. Big Thundar Reflec, Alphonso Claudio

Race 6 7 1/2 F Classes I-2 & I-3, Jockey
Time: 1:31.4
1. Puerti Rican Emblem, Kerwin John

2. Prayerful (STT), Elmo Barnes

3. Guiltless, Jesus Guadelup

Race 7 1M Queen Agnes Stakes ( M & F), Jockey
Time: 1:39.1
1. Bold Cleo (STT), Junior Inirio

2. Her Baby Blues, Angel Viera

3. Look up Look up, Andy Hernandez

Race 8 7 1/2 F Budhoe Classic, Jockey
Time: 1:36.1
1. Express to Cali, Kevin Krigger

2. Prince Crystal, Jesus Guadelupe

3. Emerald Star, Christian Soto

Race 11 1M Classes I-4 & I-5, Jockey
Time: 1:40.1
1. Heats on Fire, Chrisian Soto

1. Mi Jesus, Elmo Barnes

3. Thunder Duncan, Junior Inirio

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