Creque a hero back home in Virgin Islands

Even though he is training for Frank Calabrese, one of the most influential horse owners in South Florida, Rasharn Creque is still flying under the radar – at least compared with all the attention his work as a trainer is getting back home in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Creque, who came to the United States in 2006, was hired in April and has saddled 24 winners from his first 64 starters for Calabrese, including a winner last weekend and another Thursday.

“They’re going crazy back there at home,” said Creque, 30. “They have us in the paper all the time. I’m the first trainer who’s made it, although three jockeys [Kevin Krigger, Kerwin John, and Victor Lebron] have done well. Sometimes they even have us on the front page of the paper. People love racing in the Virgin Islands. The whole island is crazy for us.”

Creque said Krigger “is like my brother. We grew up together and are still very close friends.”

Krigger began riding at Gulfstream in mid-April after years of traveling around the United States, most recently in California.

Creque said he has known Calabrese, who has employed a long list of trainers, since he first came to the United States. Creque now has almost 50 Calabrese runners in his care on the Gulfstream backstretch.

“He always said I try hard and told me one day he’d give me a shot,” said Creque. “He always looked out for me and gave me good advice. One day, he called and asked if I was ready, and I said yes.”

** The only allowance on the Sunday card at Gulfstream kicks off an 11-race program that begins at 1:15 p.m. Eastern. After Sunday, Gulfstream goes dark for the usual three days before a new race week begins Thursday.