Bruno’s Burst held off a late charge by Puerto Rican Emblem to win Sunday’s featured sixth race at the Randall “Doc” James Race track by three-quarters of a length, while Temo’s Dream blew by the pack around the far turn to win the seven-furlong fifth race in a good time of 1:25.
The small crowd that showed up for TRAXCO’s six-race card did not leave disappointed as they were treated to some exciting finishes.
One of the most surprising had to have been the featured sixth, where highly touted newcomer Berberis was defeated once again. This led many in the stands to speculate that the James Bates bay colt is hurting. His numbers from his racing stateside shows him to be much better than what he has shown since coming to St. Croix.
However, at the break, he did show some of the speed he is known for as he and Groomsman exploded out of the gates in the six-furlong encounter, setting some sizzling early fractions of 22 and 45 seconds for the quarter- and half-mile, respectively.
It was a pace that proved to be too hot to maintain as Bruno’s Burst went by the frontrunners around the far turn and had the clear lead when the field turned for home at the top of the stretch. Puerto Rican Emblem rallied from last and set his sights on the leader in the stretch run.
He was gaining with every stride, but Bruno’s was not to be denied, holding off the fast-closing Emblem for the three-quarter-length victory. Groomsman was a clear third, with Berberis fading badly to fourth. Bruno’s Burst negotiated the six-furlong distance in a time of 1:11.1.
In the fifth race Temo’s Dream found the winner’s circle with a sweeping move, beginning midway down the backstretch, which catapulted him into the lead and a relatively easy one-length victory at the wire in a very good time of 1:25.
The margin of victory could have easily been two or three lengths, but jockey Jesus Hernandez, realizing he had the race well in hand, took his foot off the gas and cruised under wire. San Viron rallied to get by Green Sand for second.
The rest of the day’s results:
Race1 6F Classes N-4-5, Jockey
Time: 1:14.1
1. Express to Cali, Edwin Soto
2. Papa Berin, Juan Santiago
3. Super Pop, Winston Hurst
Race2 7F Classes I-5 (M/F) & I-6 (C/G), Jockey
Time: 1:27.2
1. Thanks McGiverin, Winston Hurst
2. Separate Bill, Jose Hernandez
3. MJ Kailahsafe, Jesus Guadelupe
Race3 7F Class I-4 M/F, Jockey
Time: 1:26
1. Destiny Arrival, Christian Soto jr.
2. Rasta Queen, Winston Hurst
3. Paul’s Gift, Jose Santos
Race4 7F Class I-5 C/G, Jockey
Time: 1:26
1. Tulsa Boy, Elmo Barnes
2. Salty Glider, Edwin Soto
3. Itsmidas, Winston Hurst