[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago I came to the floor to 
congratulate Virgin Islands jockey Kevin Krigger on his Santa Anita win 
and qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. Kevin will be riding Goldencents 
co-owned by Rick Pitino and trained by Doug O'Neill.
  Since then, another Virgin Islands jockey, Victor Lebron, riding Frac 
Daddy, co-owned by Carter Stewart and Ken Schlenker and trained by Ken 
McPeek, has also qualified.
  They are making history, and the entire Virgin Islands is gearing up 
to cheer wildly for them on May 4 as they make a ``Run for the Roses.''
  Another Virgin Islander, Gareem Nicholas, is an assistant trainer for 
Derby-bound horse It's My Lucky Day.
  As a person who grew up in a horse racing family and who has always 
followed the sport, I could not be prouder than to see my young men 
riding and training in such a prestigious event, and I hope to be there 
to witness it.
  Although there have been many people who have had a role in the 
success of the young Crucian jockeys who began their career on the 
Randall Doc James Racetrack in my home island of St. Croix, I again 
congratulate their parents Averill Simmonds and Albert Krigger, Jr., 
and Reina and Victor Lebron, Sr. The name Julio Felix also stands out 
as a mentor of theirs and many other young Virgin Island jockeys.
  I wish both jockeys luck in their maiden runs at the Kentucky Derby, 
but they and Nicholas are already winners to me and in the eyes of 
their fellow Virgin Islanders.

                          ____________________