The Christmas Classic for top import racers and the Hovensa Cup headline TRAXCO’s Christmas second-day race card at the Randall “Doc” James racetrack on Wednesday.
The Christmas Classic, the 10th race run at a distance of 1-1/16 miles, will give pre-race favorite Slevin a chance to avenge a defeat to St. Thomas’ Diablo’s Fire, which was the first lost for the highly touted Slevin since coming to the territory. The rematch has been highly anticipated but there are other thoroughbreds in the race that will be looking to pull what would be a shocker in a defeat of the top two.
Also coming from St. Thomas is Twisted Dream who will be tough, while Puerto Rican Emblem, Mr. Unitas and Remarkable Storm appear to be over their heads in this one. However, all three have the chance of garnering a minor award.
The eighth race on the card is the third leg of the native Triple Crown and, with the absence of the winners of the first two legs, there will be no Triple Crown Winner this year. Master Deposit and Hanna’s Boss, winners of the first two are unfortunately sidelined, would have made for an intriguing matchup in this final leg. However, they are not entered and the show must go on.
Cruzan Emerald was a good second in the last leg, and Gold Demarshe and Fast Return are coming off of victories in their last outings. Mama Lind has shown potential in the past, and Flavaz and Yahborib’s Weapon are improving. All in all, with none of these horse having gone this distance before, this race is wide open and could present a surprising winner.
The rest of the day’s card:
Race 1 Class N-6 C/G –M/F 5F,
1. Crystal Blessing
2. Delilah (Debut
3. JPD YUNG
4. Miss Evadney’s Pride (Debut)
5. Tropical Bride (Debut)
6. Running Pryor
7. Mother Mel
8. Small Man
9. Midnight Street Man (A/E)
10. Eviction (A/E)
Race 2 Class I-5-M/F & I-6-C/G 7F,
1. Lost Explorer
2. Australia Forever (Debut)
3. Rey De los Ricos
4. He’s papa (Debut)
5. Clutch
6. Quilla
7. Spitfire Red
Race 3 Class I-5 C/G 1M,
1. Going Blue
2. Black Machine
3. I Confess
4. Luciano’s Roses
5. Joyful Minister
6. Blast of Macho
7. San Viron
8. Neerly Nasty
9. Win All (A/E)
10. Burn the Harp (A/E)
Race 4 Class I-4 1 M,
1. Green Sand
2. A Bit Of Madness
3. Turn to win
4. El Hombre Grande
5. Costly Approval
6. Simon Sez Run
7. Drink at last Call
8. Her Argument
Race 5 Open V.I. C/G-M/F 1M,
1. Kings of King
2. Super pop
3. Midnight Indictment
4. Creation Rebel
5. Joe Boss
6. Deroadismine (STT)
Race 6 Class I-3-C/G, 1 M,
1. Full House project
2. Plotter
3. According to Jesus
4. Aerial Storm
5. What’s Poppin
6. Beantown
Race 7 “Cruzan Rum Sprint Classic” 6 F
1. Formal king
2. Winning Actor
3. Bambi Bound
4. Gato Paso
5. Separate Bill
Race 9 “Big Gyal Rule Stakes” Pt. 3, 1-1/8M
1. Destiny’s Arrival
2. Turned to Gold
3. Poquita Fe (Debut)
4. Leggy Blonde
5. Lea the Punisher
6. Ohbabyobeyme STT)
7. WhoShotthesheriff
Race 11 Class I-4(M/F) 1-1/16M
1. Paul’s Gift
2. Grace Alley
3. Mama Africa (Debut)
4. Dona Gongui
5. Apron Dance
6. Estrella Del Dia
7. Cash City
