HICKERSON was a rapidly improving 3-year-old in 2017. Look out for this flashy and exciting fellow at Ajax Downs this season -NORM FILES PHOTO
Spring has sprung!
Well at least on the calendar it says spring has arrived. The sun has pushing its way through however and soon the Ontario Quarter Horses will be on the Ajax Downs track for training.
Opening day for the 49th meeting at Ajax Downs is MAY 6!
**HORSEMEN’S GATHERING THIS SATURDAY EVENING 6 p.m. in VIP room at Ajax Downs…March 24.
*WEDNESDAY APRIL 4 is the first day of training at Ajax Downs.
***TRAINER’S SEMINAR SATURDAY MAY 5 at Ajax Downs
Racing and training schedule:
Stakes schedule:
http://qrooi.com/stakesprogram/
START LOOKING FOR ITEMS! If you have any interesting framed photos, memorabilia, racing items from days gone by that you would like to donate to what we hope will be the development of a HALL OF FAME at Ajax Downs, let me know.
Also, the post from March 14 which listed as many Horses of the Year from pas tyears has some gaps and any lists of Champions from the the 1970s and 80s would be appreciated!
STARS OF 2017 SET TO COME BACK in 2018
Undefeated HAD TO BE IVORY, last year’s champion 2-year-old male in Ontario, is even bigger than he was as a juvenile. Photo taken last week by Zac Kennedy.
There have been dozens of major league stars in Quarter Horse racing over the last decade (like the great ROCKISH or Go Smashing Baby, Streakinshagginwagon, etc.) but 2018 is highly anticipated with so many exciting horses from 2017 coming back to race.
Just seeing the images captured by Zac Kennedy last week of the Champion Two-Year-Old Male, HAD TO BE IVORY, who has added some size to his already impressive stature suggests racing fans are in for a real treat this year.
Ajax Downs program handicapper Doug McPherson talked to Thoroughblog about some of the stars of 2017 returning thi syear.
“Well it’ll be interesting to see if Country Boy 123 will be able to maintain his dominance over the older division. His run in Indiana was impressive. LS Prince could be an interesting addition to that division though, if he continues to improve with age he may develop into a legitimate 440 horse by the time the Alex Picov Memorial comes around.
Had To Be Ivory was so tough last year but with babies turning three you never know how who will improve a lot and who won’t necessarily look as good. It’ll take a lot of maturing over the winter or a nice new US import to catch up to him
Hickerson and ALBERTT are the two other interesting ones in the older horse division this year. They were both very sharp at the end of the year and showed that they can handle the 400-440 yard distances.
ONE FAMOUS GLASS, a previous Horse of the Year who upset Country Boy 123 last year in the Bank of American Challenge is also expected to return.
The stable of trainer Jason Pascoe, last year’s Runner-Up for High Point Trainer will be returning to Ontario in mid-April after wintering in Oklahoma. Pascoe has started 8 horses, 2 and 3-year-olds, with two thirds and several youngsters have also competed in training races. These horses, such as FAVORITE PEARL, Stripper Dust and Eyesa Senator Too, will certainly be fit and ready to go when they make a local start. Milena Kwicien owns the bulk of the Pascoe runners.
And on the mare side, GHOST PINES, MAKE ME BODACIOUS, AND MS DASHIN CORONA and the exciting MRS. FIRST LADY are just a few that racing fans hope to see in 2018.
Mike Robertson with Had to Be Ivory (right) and the 2-year-old filly half sister Five Bar Fandango at Hillerin Farm. Zac Kennedy photo
