BVI takes overall victory in pre-election races on Sunday

Scene from Sunday’s pre-election day races at the Ellis Thomas Downs on Tortola. (Photo by Andre ‘Shadow’ Dawson/BVI News)

MOONLIGHT BANDIT captured a stunning victory in the feature event of Sunday’s pre-election day races to win a lofty $8,000 cash prize and bragging rights for Top Priority Racing Stables of Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

The BVI emerged overall winners of Sunday’s five races against their counterparts from St Thomas in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI).

The USVI had a flying start to the day with GUS IS TUFF from St Thomas copping victory in the first race, which was a faceoff of Class D horses over three furlongs. St Thomas placed first, second, and third in that matchup. The purse was $5,000.

St Thomas again proved that they had the quickest Class C horses when HAYLEE’s HERE took first place in the second matchup of the day. IRISH SMARTY of the USVI and SAILOR’S COMPANION of Tortola took second and third place, respectively, in the one-mile race that carried a purse of $5,500.

By the time the third race rolled around and the purse grew to $6,100, the USVI’s luck ran out as NADAE’S IMAGE of Top Priority Stables took the first victory for the BVI in the one-mile race.

The BVI copped a second victory in race number-four thanks to LUNCH BREAK; also of Top Priority Stables on Tortola. That one-mile race also had a $6,100 purse.

The last race created some anxiety among spectators, not only because of a hefty $8,000 that was at stake, but also because, by that time, the BVI and the USVI were at a deadlock with each winning a total of two races.

But, MOONLIGHT BANDIT and GIANT VALLEY — both of Tortola — managed to maintain a lead over St Thomas’ GO PANCHO GO to cop first and second places, respectively.

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