*Leave work early for Twilight racing at Ajax Downs this THURSDAY, AUGUST 10 with a post time of 3:45 p.m.
And on August 13 the track plays hosts to the Adequan Derby final for some of the province’s top 3-year-olds and Ontario sired 2-year-olds go for big money in the OSS Futurity.
(PHOTO ABOVE) John Watkins took this super image at Ajax Downs on August 6 in a 110-yard dash for older horses. Pictured from left to right is Channelislandsflyer and Tony Phillips, Chuggington and Cory Spataro and Chelsey Willick aboard Shake Some Sugar
Quarter Horse Owner Celebrates First Win with Daughter of $800 Mare
The first race at Ajax Downs on Sunday August 6 was a first for Quarter Horse owner Kim Mark. Her filly Georgies May Kitty, foaled from a mare that she bought for just $800, sped to victory in an $11,500 maiden race, her sixth start of the 2017 racing season.
It was the first win for Mark at Ajax Downs. The Simcoe, Ontario resident and her family also race Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds.
And Georgies May Kitty is also unique in that she is a daughter of a Thoroughbred stallion, Atlas Shrugs, who raced successfully at Woodbine.
Georgies May Kitty ran 350 yards in 18.390 for a 78 Speed Index. Bob Broadstock trains and Ramiro Sanchez Castillo rode.
Kim Mark’s intriguing racing silks, depicting the ‘power’ button symbol, were designed by her daughter Hanna.
Also on the Sunday card of racing, which realized an impressive 18% increase in on-track betting by a large holiday crowd, the 2015 Horse of the Year Fiesty Icon returned to winning form when taking a $16,000 dash at 350 yards for owner and trainer Rick Kennedy. It was the Champion’s 10th career win in 21 races and he has earned over $135,000.
He posted a 99 speed index for 350 yards in :17.630. The flashy sorrel gelding was the first winner of the 2017 season for Kennedy.
FIESTY ICON ( bred by the Picov Cattle Co., won by half a length under Chelsey Willick who is in a battle for leading rider halfway through the season.
Willick has 15 wins as does Cassandra Jeschke while Tony Phillips and Brian Bell have 16.
Ramiro Castillo has 13 and Cory Spataro 11.
FIESTY ICON wins the featured race on August 6 at Ajax Downs, the first win for the 2015 Horse of the Year this season
To read more about Kim Mark and her Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds horses at
http://ontarioracing.com/News-and-Racing-Results/Profiles/Making-her-Mark.aspx
More from Sunday August 6 –
Soper Creek Wildlife Reserve and Rescue in Durham , in existence for just over one year, was set up trackside and showed fans a Bobcat kitten named Avert, Persephone the skunk and Alan the Groundhog. Soper Creek rescues wildlife and then returns the animals back to the wild but it also has a few dozen program animals who cannot be returned to the wild.
Race 2 – RICH AND ON FIRE is both right now. The 4yo sorrel gelding, foaled in Texas and owned by Rick Crispi, won his 2nd straight race in this speed index dash at 350 yards. Trained by Tom Dunlap and ridden by Ed Walton, Rich and On Fire ran the distance in :18.160 for an 84 speed index.
Race 3- KOOL DASH BABE is also a winner of 2 straight races as she took this $16,000 allowance race for non-winners of 2 under Chelsey Willick. The Christine Tavares – owned 3yo filly by Heza Fast Dash is trained by Joe Tavares. It was the filly’s 4th start at Ajax since she was bought in Louisiana.
The time for 400 yards was 20.40 for an 89 speed index.
Race 4 – Yet another runner who has back-to-back wins is MS FIRST PRIZE PEARL, an Oklahoma bred for Richard Wincikaby and DK Training Centre and jockey Brian Bell. The dark bay with a think, white blaze, has 2 allowance wins in succession at 350 yards. Her time of 17.740 was good for an impressive 96 speed index.
Don Reid trains. Ms First Prize Pearl is by Ivory James from the Mr Jess Perry mare First Prize Pearl.
Race 5- Rick Crispi’s DEAL A FORTUNE is red hot these days as he won his 3rd straight race in a $16000 allowance event, the Gridiron Gallop at 110 yards.
The gelding by Dealagame now has wins at 110 yards, 350 and 300 yards this season and he is 7 for 29 in his career. His time was 7.020 for a 96 speed index.
Race 7 to complete the Aug. 6 card was won by ITSALLABOUTRAMBLIN for owner and trainer Amaand McCormack and jockey Tony Phillips. Bet down to 4 to 5 by the large crowd, the Ontario bred won this $14,00 allowance race for his first score of the season and 3rd lifetime in 16 races. He is a son of Its All About Speed and he was bred by Russ Holmes.
The 5yo gelding ran 300 yards in :15.620 for a 94 speed index.
COMING UP AT AJAX DOWNS –
AUGUST 10 – TWLIGHT RACING 3:45 post
AUGUST 13 – Final of the Adequan Derby and the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity
AUGUST 20 – FAMILY FUN DAY and the BANK OF AMERICA AJAX DOWNS CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP featuring 2016 Horse of the Year COUNTRY BOY 123
AUGUST 24 – TWILIGHT RACING – 3:45 post
Race day picks can be found here – https://ajaxdowns.com/living-racing/race-day-picks/
