Governor Bryan Addresses Closure of Illegal Horse Track

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. issued the following statement Thursday addressing the closure of an illegal horse racing track in St. Croix:

“The Virgin Islands Government cannot ignore illegal activity once brought to our attention. And while I understand the frustration with the action taken to end this illegal horse racing activity, it is done out of the Government’s responsibility to protect our residents’ safety.

“I want the sport of horse racing to return to the territory but in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of the spectators, jockeys, and the horses and certainly not in a manner that encourages illegal activity.”

“Our administration has supported the VIGL proposal to reconstruct the horse tracks and conduct live racing in St. Croix and St. Thomas and we have intervened on several occasions to allow that proposal to be fully implemented. I believe that project represents the standard in which horse racing should be conducted in the territory.”

The Dangerous and illegal activity and violations the Governor cited include:

• Trespassing. The property owner had sought police assistance in removing trespassers from their property. 
• The activities at this property were not sanctioned by the Horse Racing Commission. 
• The participants and spectators were engaged in illegal and unauthorized betting and gambling.
• The racing surface was dangerous for the riders and their horses.
• The activity posed a danger to spectators who were often within feet of the horses as they were running.
• The activities violated the current State of Public Health Emergency restrictions on mass gathering. The spectators were not adhering to safe social distancing, and on at least on one occasion which was filmed on social media, spectators were observed not using facial coverings.

####