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Ajax Downs Wraps Up 2024 Quarter Horse Season October 30

October 29, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Fans in for a Treat on Ajax Downs’ Closing Day

Queen Charlotte, one of the stars at Ajax Downs of 2024, seeks to grab another win on closing day, October 30 – New Image Media Photo

AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 29, 2024 – The 2024 Quarter Horse racing season at Ajax Downs wraps up on Wednesday, October 30 with a full, nine-race card that gets underway at 12:55. Fans who come to the track wearing a Halloween costume will receive a $2 betting voucher. The forecast is for mainly sunny conditions and a high temperature of 20 C.

Some of the year’s top equine performers will be in action on the final day of racing including two of this year’s Horse of the Year contenders QUEEN CHARLOTTE and HAD TO BE IVORY who meet up in the featured Open Gridiron Gallop, race six, at 110 yards.

Queen Charlotte, fresh off her upset win at 6 to 1 over the boys in the Alex Picov Memorial Championship, has won four straight races for leading owner and breeder James Bogar, who is second in the leading trainer standings to multiple training champion Jason Pascoe. The 4-year-old Ontario-bred filly will be seeking her first win at the Gridiron distance. Queen Charlotte will be ridden by Cristian Benitez.

Had to Be Ivory, a two-time Horse of the Year looks to cap a remarkable season for his owners Carol and Jaime Robertson and trainer Bryn Robertson. The 9-year-old won the Norman Picov Maturity earlier this year and was third to Queen Charlotte in the Picov Championship. The Robertsons have won 17 races from 44 starters this season, a whopping 39 percent. Josh Scott is the regular rider of Had to Be Ivory.

Also in the field for the Wednesday feature is the red-hot SPY FOR THE SENATE, a three-time winner this season, FIRSTPRIZE CHARLOTTE and MARYLAND MAGIC.

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.

Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905-426-7050 for details on the new Horse Purchase Program which offers an interest-free loan to purchase a Quarter Horse or how to join the First Line Racing Syndicate.

Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our new 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.

BLUE 2024 calendar 8-11 printable RACE DATES REVISED.jpg

Categories : Latest QROOI News

Had to Be Fabulous Ekes Out Big Win in the Alex Picov Memorial Fururity

Posted by Monique Mcnamara on

October 24, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

A Fabulous Alex Picov Memorial Futurity

The 2-year-old Ontario-bred filly HAD TO BE FABULOUS (#2) won a thrilling edition of the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity by a nose.

New Image Media photo

AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 23, 2024 – The $77,220 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, the richest race at Ajax Downs, came down to inches with the filly HAD TO BE FABULOUS winning the exciting photo finish over PEIGHNTMEADIAMOND at the end of the 400-yard dash for 2-year-olds.

Sent postward as the heavy 1 to 2 favorite in the field of 10, Had to Be Fabulous and jockey Josh Scott broke quickly from post two and had a short lead over 6 to 1 shot Niigaanii. The filly shook off that rival in mid-stretch before 13 to 1 shot Peighntmeadiamond and jockey Brian Bell came rolling from the far outside with a fast rush. After the stewards viewed the photo it was Had to Be Fabulous who was declared the winner for owner/breeders Carol and Jaime Robertson and trainer Bryn Robertson of HIllsburgh, ON.

Peightmeadiamond, owned and bred by Richard Wincikaby and trained by Rick Kennedy, was second with Niigaanii, owned by Wincikaby’s daughter Sarah third, and Heste Sport’s Runaway Fate fourth. The time of 20.654 was good for an 80 speed index rating on a warm and windy afternoon.

“We had a good, clean break,” said Scott. “She started hesitating a bit down the stretch, so I had to encourage her. Then I saw the 10 horse coming up, and I was just hoping we’d hold on.”

Had to Be Fabulous, by One Fabulous Eagle, is yet another stakes winner for the Robertsons’ late mare Had to Be Fandango, who has also produced Horse of the Year Had to Be Ivory and stakes winner Had to Be Relentless.

The Alex Picov Futurity was the fifth win in six races for Had to Be Fabulous who won the first three races of her career including the Bonus Futurity in June. Following a seventh-place finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity in July, the filly had a short rest before returning earlier this month to win an allowance race.

“She’s just a nice filly,” said Bryn Robertson. “And Josh and his girlfriend Jessica [who gallops Had to Be Fabulous] are always at our farm and do a great job for us. We are lucky we have these great horses out of our mare Had to Be Fandango.”

One race later, the Robertsons watched Had to Be Fabulous’ older half-brother Had to Be Relentless win the final race of the day pushing the family’s total to a remarkable 17 wins from 42 starts this season.

Had to Be Fabulous with her winning team – New Image Media photo

The final race day of the 2024 Ajax Downs season is next Wednesday, October 30 with a first race post time of 12:55 p.m. Come to the track next week in a Halloween costume and receive a $2 betting voucher.

Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the races trackside or from the expansive simulcast room open year-round. Coming up on November 2 is Breeders’ Cup day from Del Mar racetrack in California. Catch all the action from Ajax Downs!

Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905-426-7050 for details on the new Horse Purchase Program (which includes a $7,500 interest-free loan) and 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.

Categories : Latest QROOI News

Prestigious Alex Picov Futurity Headlines Nine-Race Card at Ajax Downs, Oct. 23

Posted by Monique Mcnamara on

October 22, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Strong field assembled for $77,220 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity this Wednesday

Niigaanii and jockey Tony Phillips are contenders in the prestigious 2-year-old race at Ajax Downs – New Image Media

AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 22, 2024 – Sarah Wincikaby’s talented 2-year-old NIIGAANII will meet nine other top juveniles in Wednesday’s $77,220 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity at Ajax Downs, one of this country’s richest Quarter Horse races. The Futurity, at a challenging 400 yards, is race eight on a big nine-race card that gets underway at 12:55 p.m.

Niigaanii, who was bred by Wincikaby, has won two of his five starts and was second by just a neck in his latest, the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity, to RUNAWAY FATE who is also in the Picov Futurity field.

“He’s going to run as best as he can,” said Wincikaby, who owns and breeds horses with her parents Richard and Linda Wincikaby in Alliston. “Just having him race as a 2-year-old and do so well is a big accomplishment already.”

Niigaanii, which means “he will lead’ in Ojibwe, is trained by John McInerney and has post position five. Runaway Fate, owned and bred by Heste Sport Inc. and trained by Bob Broadstock, has post eight with Rachael Isaacs riding.

Wincikaby’s father Richard also has a horse in the Picov Futurity as PEIGHNTMEADIAMOND, fourth behind Niigaanii in their last meeting, is in post 10 with Brian Bell up. Peighntmeadiamond is trained by Rick Kennedy. As a bonus for the Wincikabys, Niigaanii, Runaway Fate, and Peighntmeadiamond are all by their stallion Peighnt Your Fate, who is managed by Michelle Woodley.

The fleet filly HAD TO BE FABULOUS is the 3 to 1 morning line favourite for the Picov Futurity based on her record of four wins in five races including the QROOI Bonus Futurity. The half sister to champion Had to Be Ivory is trained by Bryn Robertson who has won 15 races from 40 starters in 2024. Josh Scott will ride. And Robertson, who trains for his wife Carol and daughter-in-law Jaime, also has the quick grey gelding ELVIS THE FAMOUS, bred by Amelie Aubut, in the field with Cassandra Jeschke on board.

There are two Pick 5 and two Pick 4 wagers on Wednesday’s card, the penultimate race day of the 2024 racing season.

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.

Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905-426-7050 for details on the new Horse Purchase Program which offers an interest-free loan to purchase a Quarter Horse or how to join the First Line Racing Syndicate.

Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our new 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.

24th ALEX PICOV MEMORIAL FUTURITY

Purse $77,220; 400 yards, Ajax Downs, Race 8, October 23

Post Horse Jockey Trainer Odds

1 CG MEGA SPY Helen Vanek Jason Pascoe 10-1
2 HAD TO BE FABULOUS Josh Scott Bryn Robertson 3-1
3 A SHADES OF MAGIC JB Botello Jason Pascoe 15-1
4 MISS SILKY MAGIC Brian Chyene Jason Pascoe 12-1
5 NOOGAANII Tony Phillips J McInerney 6-1
6 MAGIC IN WONDERLAND Christan Benitez Rick Kennedy 8-1
7 ELVIS THE FAMOUS Cassandra Jeschke Bryn Robertson 7-2
8 RUNAWAY FATE Rachael Isaacs Bob Broadstock 4-1
9 THE BATMANN Carly Furlonger Scott Reid 10-1
10- PEIGHNTMEADIAMOND Brian Bell Rick Kennedy 8-1

Categories : Latest QROOI News

Chasing Butterflies swoops to big win on Race Day for the United Way

Posted by Monique Mcnamara on

October 16, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Race Day for the United Way at Ajax Downs a Big Success; Chasing Butterflies Takes Ontario Sired Derby

Howard Walton’s homebred 3-year-old CHASING BUTTERFLIES and jockey Christian Benitez flew to a big win in the $57,150 Ontario Sired Derby

New Image Media photos

AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 14, 2024 – In the spirit of giving, families flocked to Ajax Downs on October 14 to celebrate Thanksgiving Monday by raising money for the United Way and taking in an exciting card of Quarter Horse racing.

Kids painted pumpkins, cheered on the jockeys dressed as chickens and turkeys (see photo below), and saw the Headless Horseman charge down the track on a sunny and cool afternoon.

The featured race of the day, the $57,150 Ontario Sires Stakes Derby for 3-year-olds by stallions standing in this province, attracted a large field of 10 and the fans made Howard Walton’s homebred gelding CHASING BUTTERFLIES the heavy, even money favourite. Trained by Rick Kennedy, Chasing Butterflies was seeking his first stakes victory but he had come close in July when he was second in the Ontario Bred Derby.

With jockey Christian Benitez on board, Chasing Butterflies broke well and was in pursuit of Sugar Boy Perry at the outset of the 350-yard dash before he flew past on his way to a convincing 1 1/2 length win into a strong 18 km/h headwind. The time for the race was 18,260 for a solid 82 speed index. Sugar Boy Perry, trained by Bob Broadstock for Heste Sport, finished second over 37 to 1 shot Hot to Trotta, owned by the Picov Cattle Company and trained by Joe Tavares. Snow Magically Sweet at 11 to 1 was fourth.

Chasing Butterflies paid $4.20 to win and keyed a big superfecta (top four finishers) payoff of $642.38 for a .20 cent wager.

The Derby was the third career win from 12 starts for Chasing Butterflies, a son of the late Dashair from the mare This Girl Is Wild.

“I’m so happy, I can’t explain how I feel,” said Benitez. “He’s a good horse and he did well.” The young rider and his brother Diego just started riding at Ajax Downs this year after competing in Alberta.

Kennedy said Chasing Butterflies has improved throughout the season.

“He was a bit of a slow developer and he’s had some bad luck coming out of the gate,’ said Kennedy who is from Mount Albert. “But today everything went perfectly for him. I think he is going to be a better horse next year.” Chasing Butterflies earned $22,861 for the victory to boost his career earnings to $60,772.

DIEGO BENITEZ and owner JAMES BOGAR had a big day combining for three wins. Benitez now has 22 wins on the season to lead all jockeys in his first year at Ajax Downs. Bogar is now tied with Jason Pascoe for leading trainer by wins at 24 and he also leads all owners.

(Photo below: Ajax Downs jockeys wearing chicken and turkey costumes, race down the track. In the forefront is Diego Benitez, who rode three winners on the afternoon)

Categories : Latest QROOI News

Queen Charlotte Upsets Snow Moose and Had to Be Ivory in Picov Championship

Posted by Monique Mcnamara on

October 11, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Queen Charlotte Upsets the Big Boys in Alex Picov Championship

The 4-year-old filly Queen Charlotte reaches the wire first in the 51st Alex Picov Memorial Championship on Oct. 9 at Ajax Downs

New Image Media photo

AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 10, 2024 – At the finish of Wednesday’s $50,940 Alex Picov Memorial Championship at Ajax Downs, JAMES BOGAR put his hands on his head in a state of surprise. The owner and trainer had just watched his homebred filly QUEEN CHARLOTTE fend off the best older horses in Canada in the prestigious 440-yard race, winning by half a length at 6 to 1 odds.

The 51st Picov Championship was expected to be a showdown between the last two Horses of the Year, Snow Moose and Had to Be Ivory. The two champions lined up beside each other in the gate and bumped together at the start. That put Snow Moose behind most of the field while Queen Charlotte and jockey Diego Benitez grabbed a short lead with her stablemate Hanover Hill Theresa also starting well.

Had to Be Ivory and jockey Josh Scott began to gain ground from the outside while his half-brother Had to Be Relentless with Brian Cheyne was moving along the rail but Queen Charlotte refused to give up her lead. At the finish, the Ontario bred by One Fabulous Eagle – Leanintoit by Tres Seis had posted the upset in a time of 22.486, an 80 speed index, on a very cool, windy day. Had to Be Relentless was second by a neck over Had to Be Ivory. Snow Moose finished half a length back in fifth and just two lengths separated the entire seven-horse field.

“She surprised me too,” said Benitez. “I felt all the horses coming but she has a big heart.”

Bogar, who has a farm in Cameron, ON, started with a handful of horses about seven years ago and was winning his 21st race of the Ajax Downs season as an owner and trainer, career bests.

“This is the biggest win for us for sure. She had some bad luck early in her career and an injury but I always thought she could be the best horse in the barn. Still, I was surprised she was able to beat Snow Moose and Had to Be Ivory. Hat’s off to my team.”

Queen Charlotte came into the Championship on a three-race winning streak including an 11 to 1 upset win in the Princess Maturity over fillies and mares. She now sports a career record of seven wins in 18 races and earnings of over $88,000.

Owner, trainer and breeder James Bogar (far right) with Queen Charlotte.

Ajax Downs owner Justin Picov (far left) presented to Diego Benitez and assistant Nicole Clark.

Come to AJAX DOWNS this THANKSGIVING MONDAY, October 14 for RACE DAY FOR THE UNITED WAY with a blanket giveaway, pumpkins to decorate for the first 100 kids, an appearance by the headless horseman, draws for Toronto Maple Leaf tickets and more. There will also be a fun ‘turkey versus chickens” race and on-track, the final of the Ontario Sires Stakes Derby. First race post time is 12:55 p.m.

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.

Categories : Latest QROOI News

Archive for Latest QROOI News – Page 2

Ajax Downs Wraps Up 2024 Quarter Horse Season October 30

Had to Be Fabulous Ekes Out Big Win in the Alex Picov Memorial Fururity

Prestigious Alex Picov Futurity Headlines Nine-Race Card at Ajax Downs, Oct. 23

Chasing Butterflies swoops to big win on Race Day for the United Way

Queen Charlotte Upsets Snow Moose and Had to Be Ivory in Picov Championship

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