Blackjack Bob extends win streak at Emancipation Day Races

ST. CROIX - Plenty of rain showers provided mud, so no speed records were set, but Blackjack Bob found a way to continue his impressive win streak.

The 8-year-old beat out Temo's Dream by a length to win the featured race at the Emancipation Day Races at Randall "Doc" James Racetrack on Sunday. It was Blackjack Bob's seventh win in his last eight races and his fifth straight.

"Blackjack Bob did it again," TRAXCO general manager Dennis Brow said. "This time, he did it in exciting fashion with Temo's Dream pushing him right down the finish line."

Puertorican Emblem, Groomsman and Eire's Run all scratched, so Green Sand burst out of the gates and grabbed an early lead on the four-horse field. Blackjack Bob took over at the midway point before Temo's Dream opened a half-length lead, Brow said.

"It was very tight at the end," he said. "Bob came back and took Temo's Dream at the pole."

With Edwin Gonzales aboard, Blackjack Bob won the 1-1/18-mile race in 1 minute and 56 seconds and won a $6,000 purse. Temo's Dream was runner-up, followed by Expect Smoke and then Green Sand.

Even though most of the horses in the featured race were 4- or 5-year-old, the veteran Blackjack Bob continues to finish strong with the younger horses.

"He just keeps going," Brow said. "It poured the whole day and this particular race was delayed three times. A lot of owners don't like horses running in mud so that's why there were some scratches."

In the V.I. Bred event, Creation Rebel secured an early lead and despite other challengers, held on to win the 1-1/16-mile race in 1:50.1 and won the $4,200 purse. It was one of two wins on the day for jockey Edwin Gonzales.

Creation Rebel won by a half-length over speedster Irie Ites, while Midnight Indictment took third.

"The V.I. Bred was another beautiful race to watch," Brow said. "Irie Ites controlled the speed early but Creation Rebel got her in mid-stretch. It was an exciting finish."

The big showdown in the fifth race was supposed to be between Finish In Style and Whoshotthesheriff, the newcomer out of Puerto Rico. Leggy Blonde stole the show and grabbed the upset win in the 1-1/16-mile race.

With Angel Viera aboard, Leggy Blonde ran a time of 1:48.1 and was awarded with a $4,300 purse. Finish In Style was second and the P.R. import took third.

Tragedy also struck the race. After Gonzales jumped off Flanker's Lady during the action, the horse then suffered from an apparent heart attack and died during the race.

"It wasn't any breaks or anything so we thought it might have been a heart attack," Brow said. "We'll have to wait for what the doctors say. The jockey jumped off and she just fell to the ground."

It was the first appearance for Flanker's Lady since her Carnival win May 6 on St. Thomas.

Tortola will host Pre-Festival Races on July 17 and then the action shifts back to St. Croix for another rounds of races July 24. ⅛

- Contact sports writer Aaron Gray at 774-8772 ext. 352 or email agray@dailynews.vi.

Emancipation Day Races

Randall "Doc" James Racetrack, St. Croix

Race 1, 5 furlongs, $3,600

1. Midnight Approval, C. Soto Jr., 1:02.2

2. Gold Finger

3. Joe Boss

Race 2, 7½ furlongs, $3,600

1. Paul's Gift, E. Barnes, 1:38

2. Seprate Bill

3. M J Kailahsafe

Race 3, 7½ furlongs, $3,600

1. Sarasota May Bell, W. Hurst, 1:35

2. Destiny's Arrival

3. YIMC Sword

Race 4, 7½ furlongs, $4,100

1. Akebono, C. Soto Jr., 1:35

2. Bruno's Burst

3. San Viron

Race 5, 1-1/16 mile, $4,300

1. Leggy Blonde, A. Viera, 1:48.1

2. Finish In Style

3. Whoshotthesheriff

Race 6, 1-1/16 mile, $4,200

1. Creation Rebel, E. Gonzales, 1:50.1

2. Irie Ites

3. Midnight Indictment

Race 7, 1⅛ mile, $6,000

1. Blackjack Bob, E. Gonzales, 1:56

2. Temo's Dream

3. Expect Smoke

Race 8, 1 mile, $3,800

1. Black Machine, A. Ojeda, 1:43.1

2. Wekiva Trail

3. Itsmidas

Source: TRAXCO general manager Dennis Brow

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