Stephen Got Better (centre) will feature in the Axel Ritter Special, one of the main races of the VI Classic scheduled for January 26, 2014. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/File

Town Hall (above) comes into Turtle Dove Classic fresh off a win in the feature race of the Boxing Day card and comes up against against Game Keeper, Break Up the Game (St Thomas), Edge Ahead (St Thomas), Rough N Royal (St Croix) and Brass Note (St Croix). Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO/File

There remains no sign of last year’s Triple Crown victor, Really Uptown, after suffering what was described as a minor injury in July 2013. Photo: VINO/File

The newly introduced races, scheduled for January 26, 2014, at the Ellis Thomas Downs, replace the immensely popular VI Triple Crown but hungry fans who are loyal to the sport, are sure to come out in support of the VI Horse Owners Association’s newest venture.  

Local horse, Town Hall, will compete in the feature Turtle Dove Classic race against Game Keeper, Break Up the Game (St Thomas), Edge Ahead (St Thomas), Rough N Royal (St Croix) and Brass Note (St Croix).  

There remains no sign of last year’s Triple Crown victor, Really Uptown, after suffering what was described as a minor injury on July 2, 2013. 

Town Hall comes off of a recent win in the feature race of the Boxing Day race card at the Downs.   

The races will feature a host of debuts with many of the overseas horses running at the track for the first time. Concerns were raised previously about the participation of horses from St Thomas and St Croix, but these will be eased significantly with the attractions featured on the recently released race card. 

The races will open with the Eileene Parsons Classic for D&E horses which features four contestants and includes two debutants. The Oliver Cills Showdown for C&D horses follows next up with seven confirmed entries. Good Boy Daddy and Power Ten will represent for local horses while three horses will feature from St Thomas and another two from St Croix.  

The Patsy Lake Invitational for mares and fillies will be followed by the William Rhymer Rumble for Class C & D horses with both races also having significant participation from St Thomas and St Croix. 

A class A&B race for mares and fillies dubbed the Axel Ritter Special, will feature four overseas horses including Stephen Got Better and Mae Ruler and serves as the final race before the feature Turtle Dove classic. 

Entertainment will be provided by Top 7@7 Contestants, as well as, the VI Showtime Band and Swag Crew models.  

Newly re-elected President of the VI Horse Owners Association, Mrs. Karen B. Aaron could not be reached for comment up to post time.

See proposed race card below: