Fans Flock to New Racetrack for Independence Day Races

The crowd was roaring and on its feet Sunday for the Independence Day Races at the newly reconstructed Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas as “Pure Speight” won the prized Lieutenant Governor’s Cup — the largest purse of the day at $30,000.

The races, in honor of the St. John Celebration taking place this week, marked the second big event for the track since its reopening and the St. Thomas Carnival races in May.

St. Croix jockey Kevin Krigger rode “Pure Speight” to the win — running the 1 1/16th mile featured race in 1 minute, 46 seconds and coming in many lengths ahead of the competitors, with “Ghost In You” placing second, followed by “Run the Trail” and “Espectro.”

As the horses came into the stretch, the sound of loud cheering combined with thundering hooves. The winner’s circle was filled with raised voices as the horsemen from St. Croix wished for a track like Clinton E. Phipps on their island. Both the St. Thomas track and the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix ceased operations due to damage brought on by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017, and the big island has yet to see racing resume.