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)