SAY CHEESE! Today’s Quarter Horse news from AJAX DOWNS features the super images from JOHN WATKINS, who has generously has allowed Thoroughblog to use a few of his great shots. You can see John’s photos often at Ontario Racing, Woodbine.com and check out his Facebook page too!
This is ALBERTT and his owner and trainer Scott Reid showing the grey’s tattoo before he won on July 8.
ON-TRACK HANDICAPPING CONTEST THIS SUNDAY – JULY 15!
For just $10, enter the Handicapping Contest at the track on Sunday and have a chance to win cash prizes and qualify for the big finale in October!
ANDROS JOINS JOCKEY COLONY
REFLECTIONS of a race – image of Corrine Andros by John Watson
CORRINE ANDROS burst onto the racing scene in 2013 in Alberta riding at a 15% win rate in her first season.
The following year, Andros rode at Hastings Park and won 18 races, including four on one afternoon, and she was the buzz of the backstretch. But an injury ended the 2014 season a bit early for her. Andros has since moved to Ontario and rode at Woodbine and Fort Erie last year and has been riding at Fort Erie this season as well.
She joined the Ajax Downs Quarter Horse colony on July 8. She has ridden Quarter Horses in Alberta and it is great to see this young lady continue on at Ajax.
FUTURITY FINAL THIS SUNDAY!
The first major event for 2-year-olds is on Sunday with the final of the BONUS CHALLENGE FUTURITY and if the trials were any indication, this is going to be an awesome final.
The trials, June 24, were held on a very muddy racetrack and some of the youngsters were making their first career starts so things could be a lot different on a fast track this weekend.
Horse Race # Post Time Finish Trainer Jockey Owner
1 Jess a Sweet Suprize 2 2 15.69 1 Spada Willick Spada
2 Spy for the Senate 2 8 15.87 2 Pascoe Scott Kwiecien
3 Stripper Dust 2 6 15.88 3 Pascoe Walton Kwiecien
4 Chicksdigmymoneybags 2 1 16.01 4 Robertson Castillo Barbour
5 RVR Undercover Lover 3 1 16.01 1 Cunningham Esqueda Gamez
6 Gatlinberg 3 3 16.01 2 Woodley Spataro Kirkwood-Peavoy
7 Code Name Valor 3 4 16.04 3 Pascoe Walton Kwiecien
8 Enchanted Ivory 3 2 16.05 4 Lehtinen Castillo Lehtinen
9 Up Your Bet 3 8 16.17 5 Wood Phillips Bogar
10 Highly Apologetic 3 6 16.45 6 Pascoe Scott Kwiecien
The first trial, a 90 speed index, was won by Craig Spada’s JESS A SWEET SUPRIZE, an Iowa-bred filly Spada purchased. This is a very quick gal whose trial win was earned in 15.69 for the 300 yards. The top 4 from her trial made it to the final.
The second trial, race 3 on the day, was won by US invader RVR UNDERCOVER LOVER, trained by Tony Cunningham. This Oklahoma bred held on to defeat GATLINBURG, a first time starter for new Quarter Horse owner Bonnie Peavoy, who also owns Thoroughbreds.
Here are the replays of the 2 Trials – pick your favourite and come out on Sunday to place a bet!
PICK 5 WAGER AVAILABLE THROUGH HPIBET.com
Ajax Downs’ popular new bet, the PICK 5, beginning in race 2, is available through HPIBet.com as well as on-track. Pick 5 consecutive winners and win a share of the pool. If there are no winners of all 5 selections, the pool carries over to next week.
FIESTY ICON back in winner’s circle
Tough veteran Fiesty Icon, the 2015 Horse of the Year at Ajax Downs, held off the fab filly GHOST PINES on Sunday in the $18,000 Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Overnight Stakes event. Owned and trained by Mt. Albert’s Rick Kennedy, Fiesty Icon and his new rider Ed Walton won the 300-yard dash by a neck on Patio Day under beautiful sunny skies.
It was the 12th career win in 28 starts for Fiesty Icon, a son of Sugerman Perry who had been chasing the 2016 and 2017 Horse of the Year Country Boy 123 in his previous two starts this season. Ghost Pines, a daughter of Fire Finder owned by Cobourg’s Gary McNichol, had won both of her starts in 2018 and was gaining fast but just came up short under jockey Brian Bell.
Patio Day at the track offered fans a chance to win many great prizes including a patio set, smoker/barbecue and a custom-made cooler.
The jockey’s race at Ajax Downs is also very close after 10 racing days.
With three wins on Sunday, Innisfil’s Cory Spataro has 17 victories and a one win lead over Brian Bell while Ed Walton has 13 victories.
