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PRESS RELEASE
Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity, Norman Picov Derby Headline Big Quarter Horse Card at Ajax Downs
Pint-sized filly FIRST FOR YOU won one of the Trials for the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at 12 to 1. She will try to win the final on Sept. 11.
New Image Media Photo
AJAX DOWNS SEPTEMBER 10. 2024 – Two important stakes races, one for 2-year-olds and one for 3-year-olds highlight a nine-race card at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, September 11. The $59,220 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at 330 yards has a full field of 10 juveniles who qualified through two Trials and the $50,490 Norman Picov Derby brings together nine of the top 3-year-olds, male and female, of the season.
First race post time on Wednesday is 12:55 p.m.
One of the leading 2-year-olds this year, ELVIS THE FAMOUS, will be looking to bounce back to the win column after he was upset at 1 to 5 odds in his Trial on Aug. 21. The light grey colt won the Ontario Bred Futurity in July but broke flat-footed in the Trial for Wednesday’s race and he could not catch up to the fleet filly FIRST FOR YOU.
First for You, owned by Craig Spada and Rick Crispi and trained by Lauren Spada, was winning for the first time in her career in that Trial and her time of 17.59 (a 75 speed index) was the slightly faster of the two heats. First for You, a diminutive filly, has post position nine with Alexis Sanchez riding while Elvis the Famous has post eight.
The other Trial winner, NIIGAANII (Ojibway for ‘ahead’) was winning for the second straight time in his young career for owner and breeder Sarah Wincikaby of Alliston. Niigaanii held off a closing PEIGHNTMEADIAMOND that day, a gelding owned by Wincikibay’s father Richard. Coincidentally, Richard Wincikaby is also the breeder of First for You. Tony Phillips will ride Niigaanii from post 7 while Peighntmeadiamond has Brian Bell aboard and post 4.
The Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity is race 7.
Race 9, the Norman Picov Derby at 400 yards, is sure to be a thriller with the best 3-year-old geldings of the year, HAWKIN THE STRAW and STORMINN NORMAN going up against the talented fillies RBYBYBABY and CINDY LOO WHO.
Hawkin the Straw, an Ontario bred owned and bred by Joyce and Erik Lehtinen has won six of his last 8 races dating back to last September. He won the Ontario Bred Derby this year and is unbeaten at the 400-yard distance. Brian Bell will ride from post eight. Storminn Norman dead-heated with Hawkin the Straw in their most recent meeting on Aug. 25 but the former was disqualified for interference. Rachael Isaacs is back to ride him from post one.
Rbybybaby (post two, Carly Furlonger) won her first three races of 2024 including the QROOI Derby. John Wilson’s filly comes off a neck loss to rival Cindy Loo Who in the Princess Derby on Aug. 7. Cindy Loo Who has post six with JB Botello on board.
Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the races trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com.
Do you have a group or company event? Call ahead to reserve the trackside VIP room to enjoy food, drink, and mutuels.
Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905-426-7050 for details on how to join the First Line Racing Syndicate.
Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com for news, track programs, and more information. You can watch all of the Ajax Downs replays on our YouTube channel on our website.
PRESS RELEASE
Head banging, metal music lover Pretty Runaway Rocks Ontario Sires Maturity
Popular mare Pretty Runaway (inside) wins the $39,330 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity over champion First Cold Wave. New Image Media photo
AJAX DOWNS, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 – PRETTY RUNAWAY, a Quarter Horse mare who went viral this spring for her head-banging moves to heavy metal music, posted an upset win in the $39,330 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity at Ajax Downs on September 1.
Ridden by Tony ‘TP’ Phillips, Pretty Runaway, at 5 to 1 odds, broke well from post position three at the start of the 330-yard dash and was quickly in an early battle into a strong headwind with A Shades of Cold. The 7-year-old mare got her head in front 50 yards from the finish and held off a charging First Cold Wave to win by a nose in 17.187 for an 88 speed index.
Owned and trained by James Bogar of Cameron, ON, Pretty Runaway won for the ninth time in 30 career races. Her earnings now stand at over $138,000. She was bred by Heste Sport Inc. in King City.
Pretty Runaway not only likes to groove to metal music but she likes to put on a show before her races. “When you see her like she was today, prancing and on her toes, you know she’s on her game,” said Phillips. “We had a great trip, she gave me everything.”
‘Pretty’ first appeared on local news programs in February when groom Autumn Purdy filmed her nodding to metal music. A TikTok video went viral and CNN’s Jeanne Moos interviewed Purdy and her favourite mare and then singer/talk show host Kelly Clarkson (links to those interviews are below) featured the pair.
Bogar won two races on the Sept. 1 card and has a short lead in the trainer’s race with 17 victories over Jason Pascoe’s 16 wins.
Pascoe had a winner on the day when 2023 Horse of the Year SNOW MOOSE. owned by Milena Kwiecien, flew to victory in an allowance race, his eighth career win in 18 races. The Ontario bred is getting ready for the Alex Picov Championship on Oct. 9.
The next racing day at Ajax Downs is Wednesday, September 11, 2024 featuring the Norman Picov Derby and Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity. Coming up on Monday, October 14 is Race Day for the United Way plus a pumpkin giveaway to the first 100 kids. Visit www.ajaxdowns.com and the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at www.qrooi.com for more information on how to own a Quarter Horse and much more.
Watch Pretty Runaway on CNN with Jeanne Moos and on the Kelly Clarkson show:
PRESS RELEASE
Families Cram Ajax Downs on Family Fun Day
By: Jennifer Morrison
A huge crowd enjoyed racing and fun events on Family Dun Day at Ajax Downs on Sunday, August 25.
AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 25, 2024 – It was a spectacular summer afternoon at Ajax Downs for the annual FAMILY FUN DAY for the Ajax Pickering Hospital on Sunday as a huge crowd enjoyed exciting Quarter Horse racing and many special fun events for the family from face painting, running races on the track, prize giveaways, a petting zoo and more. Proceeds from raffle draws and the trackside barbecue went to the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation.
On track, there were plenty of exciting races and some surprise winners including the Ontario-bred filly CARAWAYS ANGEL AIR who remained undefeated with her victory in race 3 as one of the longest shots on the board. Owned and bred by Carol and Wayne Proctor of Gilford, ON, Caraways Angel Air, by Dashair – Freds Angel by Fredricksburg, ran the fastest time of the day when she won the 250-yard sprint in 13.353 for a big 92 speed index. It was the second win in as many starts for the 3-year-old filly who was ridden by Diego Benitez.
“She’s a homebred and she comes from a family that really knows how to run,” said Wayne Proctor. “You never know, but it looks like she’s got it all together.”
The Proctors, who have been racing and breeding Quarter Horses in Ontario since the days of the former Picov Downs, celebrated their victory with one of Ontario Quarter Horse Racing’s founders, Ralph Pearson, on his 91st birthday. Caraways Angels Air paid $17.80 to win for a $2 win bet.
Carol Proctor and husband Wayne (far right) celebrated a big win with their filly
Caraways Angel Air with one of Ontario Quarter Horse racing’s founders,
Ralph Pearson (second from right) and longtime owner and breeder Gary McNichol. Laurie Overton Photo
Another popular winner on the afternoon was PHIL JEFFERSON, a 10-year-old gelding owned by Earl Foster who was the first winner this season for trainer Paul Garrison and jockey Max Badal. Phil Jefferson, in his fourth race of this year, sped to the lead early in the 220 yard dash, race 2, and won by a neck for his first win since June of 2020.
The afternoon’s races ended with more excitement when stakes winner HAWKIN THE STRAW and STORMINN NORMAN dead heated to win in the 400-yard, final race of the day but Storminn Norman was disqualified for interference, costing popular jockey Rachael Isaacs her third victory of the day. Hawkin the Straw, owned by Erik and Joyce Lehtinen, was ridden by Brian Bell, who also won two races on the card.
Racing resumes at Ajax Downs next Sunday, September 1, the final ‘special’ Sunday card of racing for 2024, with a first race post time of 12:55 p.m. Racing at Ajax Downs will be held on Wednesdays through October 30 for the remainder of the year except for Thanksgiving Monday, October 14.
To reserve the VIP room for your next event, party, or meeting, contact Ajax Downs at 905-686-8001 For information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, call the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905-426-7050. The First Line Racing Syndicate welcomes all new owners!
To reserve the VIP room for your next event, party, or meeting, contact Ajax Downs at 905-686-8001 For information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, call the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905-426-7050. The First Line Racing Syndicate welcomes all new owners!
(Photo below – kids race away from the gate on the Ajax Downs main track)
PRESS RELEASE
Sunday Is Family Fun Day for Ajax-Pickering Hospital at Ajax Downs!
AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 23, 2024 – Ajax Downs hosts its most popular day of the year on Sunday, August 25, the annual FAMILY FUN DAY with proceeds going to the Ajax-Pickering hospital. There are seven Quarter Horse races on tap with first race post time at 12:55 p.m.
Family Fun Day gets underway at 10 a.m. with the annual ‘Try the Track’ race from the starting gate where kids can run to the finish line on the Ajax Downs track. Kids can also enjoy there is Zoo to You, Crafts, treats, the Doug Barr Children’s Music Show, a Jumping Maze, and much more.
The first 1,000 kids on Sunday will receive a loot bag with a minimum donation.
There is also a $5.00 Barbecue menu to enjoy throughout the afternoon with all proceeds going to the Ajax-Pickering hospital.
On track, one of the featured races is a 400-yard dash that has lured a trio of 3-year-olds who are pointing for the Sept. 11 Norman Picov Derby. HAWKIN THE STRAW, who won the Ontario Bred Derby in early July, is the 8 to 5 morning line favourite with jockey Brian Bell on board. Hawkin the Straw is an Ontario bred for Erik and Joyce Lehtinen and he will start from post position one.
Two others in the field who are aiming for the Picov Derby are EYE TEMPT YOU, a grey gelding owned and trained by Jason Pascoe and STORMINN NORMAN (named for Norm Picov) who will be ridden by Rachael Isaacs for trainer Joe Tavares. JESS A DEAL, winner of two Battle of the Breeds races this season, and the fast-immproving QUICK WILLY complete the field.
Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the races trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com.
Do you have a group or company event? Call ahead to reserve the trackside VIP room to enjoy food, drink, and mutuels.
Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905 – 426-7050 for details on how to join the First Line Racing Syndicate.
Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com for news, track programs, and more information.
PRESS RELEASE
The diminutive filly First for You won the fastest of two Trials for the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at Ajax Downs on Wednesday
First for You is by the hot, young sire Peighnt Your Fate whose offspring won both Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity Trials. New Image Media Photo
AJAX DOWN, AUGUST 21, 2024 – She may be little but FIRST FOR YOU scampered away at 12 to 1 to win the fastest of two Trials for the $55,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity for 2-year-olds at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
Owned by Craig Spada and Rick Crispi, First for You broke fast from the gate at the outset of the 330-yard dash and held off heavily favoured Elvis the Famous to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 17.593 for a 75 speed index. Lauren Spada trains the Ontario bred by the exciting, young stallion Peighnt Your Fate. Alexis Sanchez rode First for You to victory and it was her first win in her fourth career race. Elvis the Famous, winner of the Ontario bred Futurity in his last start, held second over The Batmann.
First for You paid $26.20 to win.
The other Trial winner, Niigaanii, owned and bred by Sarah Wincikaby of Alliston, scored by half a length in a time of 17.714 for a 72 speed index. The black gelding, also by the sire Peighnt Your Fate, was coming off his first career victory for trainer John McInerney and was ridden by Tony Phillips.
“There were other horses in the race coming into the race with better times than my horse,” said Phillips. “He’s still learning and he was a little bit green in those first two races.”
The 10 fastest times from the two Trials will advance to the final of the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity which will be held on Sept. 11.
The sixth edition of BATTLE OF THE BREEDS pitting Quarter Horses versus Thoroughbreds, kickstarted an action-packed afternoon at Ajax Downs and it was Robin Voyce’s SEA TO AIR, a Thoroughbred, who won the 870-yard race around a turn, over another Thoroughbred, Red Maple. Trained by Jeff Voyce, Sea to Air under Josh Scott completed a rarity as it was his third win over a third different Ontario track this year.
Sea to Air also set a track record for the distance, stopping the clock in 46.744, a track record.
“He just ran so well in his last race at Fort Erie,’ said Robin Voyce. “He had some time off at the farm when this race came up and we thought we would give it a shot.”
Sea to Air’s win allowed Thoroughbreds to tie the score with Quarter Horses in the Battle of the Breeds at 3 wins apiece.
REMINDER: Ajax Downs hosts the popular FAMILY FUN Day this Sunday, Aug. 25 with a first race post time of 12:55 p.m. There will be a petting zoo, games, prizes, entertainment and much more with proceeds going to the Ajax Pickering Hospital.