Races are not expected to be significantly affected by the absence of four horses scheduled to run at the June 2 event at Ellis Thomas Downs. Photo: VINO/File

Horse races are all set for Ellis Thomas Downs today, June 2, 2013, in Sea Cows Bay. Photo: VINO/File

Exercise rider, David A. Campbell aka Jamtown explained that there is more to a jockey than it appears from the outside. Photo: VINO/File

The races were originally scheduled for an earlier date but were pushed back to accommodate other events in the Territory.

At least four of the horses scheduled to make the trip from St Thomas and St Croix did not arrive to participate in today’s races at Ellis Thomas Downs.

The horses that didn’t arrive include Bambi Bound (St Croix), What’s Popping (St Thomas), Ohbabyobeyme (St Thomas) and Congo (St Croix).

The absence of the horses means that there will be no participation in the races by St Croix in today’s event. Seven horses made the trip from St Thomas.

However, the races are not expected to be significantly affected by the absence of the horses and fans are encouraged to come out in their numbers in support of today’s event with the first race scheduled to start at 1:30P.M.

Efforts to contact President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Karen Smith-Aaron for an update on race day proved unsuccessful.

See previous story posted May 30, 2013:

Veteran Jockey ready for the saddle ahead of June 2 horse races at Downs

SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI – When it comes to horse racing, it has been said that a jockey is very much like a taxi driver and is expected to be ready to go at all times; he is given the reins and told to drive. Simple instructions as it may seem from the outset. But is there more to it than it looks?

Jockeys control many variables in horse racing, a fact that should never be taken for granted. The weight, physical condition and mental alertness of a jockey are all key elements in determining the outcome of any given race.

With the upcoming horse races etched in for Ellis Thomas Downs this Sunday, June 2, 2013, Virgin Islands News Online spoke with one of the go-to ‘exercise’ riders in the Virgin Islands, David A. Campbell aka Jamtown to ascertain what goes into preparing a champion racehorse for victory.

Campbell explained that jockeys are required to exercise and maintain a strict diet in order to keep to the required weight on race day. Often, their weight varies between 108-120lbs, depending on the required weight for race day.

The veteran of over twenty years also disclosed that the amount of moisture on the track before the race plays a role in the instructions received by jockeys as well.

Jockeys are required to be especially cautious under wet circumstances as they may encounter severe and often life threatening injury otherwise, both for themselves and the horses they ride.

“I ride most of the horses,” Campbell said while explaining that horse owners at Ellis Thomas Downs stables liked the way he handled their horses. Campbell also rides horses for some of the races at the Downs on occasion. It should be noted that all exercise jockeys do not ride on race day.

One horse owner suggested that the only distinction with jockeys usually, is that they are told by the owner how the horse should be ridden on the day of the race.

The official race card has now been released and shows that Sunday’s card will feature six races, with the feature race being the 6½ furlong sprint which pits horses, Winaholic, Bambi Bound, Bud White and Broken Home against each other.

The races will also see participation from a number of horses out of St Thomas in addition to two others from neighbouring St Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

See race official card below: