(5-3-26) “Pure Speight” is no stranger to the winner’s circle at the Clinton E. Phipps Sr. Race Track on St. Thomas.

However, the 7-year-old gelding out of St. Croix’s Knight Racing Stables posted his biggest race win yet Friday, taking the 34th Governor’s Cup feature, the main event of the nine-race Carnival Races field.

Pure Speight, with veteran jockey Kerwin John aboard, won the one-mile, 70-yard feature race in 1 minute, 42 seconds, to claim the lion’s share of the $30,000 purse.

The Celebration

Pure Speight, trained by Brennan Smith, has now won in seven of its last nine race starts at Phipps Race Track, which includes a run of five straight over the 2024 and 2025 racing seasons.

VirginIslandsDailyNews.com – ‘Pure Speight’ adds Gov’s Cup title to Phipps Race Track win totals; Hurst a four-race winner in Carnival Races

Pure Speight is a 7-year-old gray/roan Thoroughbred gelding (foaled February 14, 2019) known for racing successfully at Clinton E. Phipps Sr. Race Track in the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas).

Pedigree

• Sire: Speightstown (a prominent sprint sire).

• Dam: Pure Elation (by Kitten’s Joy).

He was bred in Kentucky and has raced in the U.S. (including Gulfstream) before becoming a standout in the Virgin Islands racing circuit, where he is associated with Knight Racing Stables (St. Croix) and has been trained by trainers like Brennan Smith and Paul Valery.

Recent Achievements

On May 1, 2026, Pure Speight won the 34th Governor’s Cup (the feature race during Carnival Races at Phipps Race Track). Ridden by Kerwin John, he took the 1-mile, 70-yard event for a $30,000 purse, beating Ice Road (2nd) and others. This marked one of his biggest victories to date.

He has been dominant locally, winning 7 of his last 9 starts at Phipps Race Track (including streaks of consecutive wins) as of early May 2026.

Pure Speight is a proven performer in the regional Caribbean/ Virgin Islands Thoroughbred scene, blending U.S. breeding with strong local success.

A look at Pure Speight USA’s Career