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Owner Richard Wincikaby, trainer Michelle Woodley, Qualify Five Juveniles for Ontario Bred Futurity
Firstprize Charlotte flew to a big win in her career debut in the second Trial for the Ontario Bred Futurity. She is one of five 2-year-olds who qualified for the $60,000 final for owner Richard Wincikaby and owner/trainer Michelle Woodley. (New Image Media/Clive Cohen photo)
AJAX DOWN, JUNE 15, 2022 – What a day it was at Ajax Downs on June 15 for owner Richard Wincikaby of New Liskeard, ON, and trainer Michelle Woodley as the team won both Trials for the rich Ontario Bred Futurity for 2-year-olds and qualified five youngsters for the final on July 6, worth $60,000.
FIRSTPRIZE CHARLOTTE was a dominating winner of the second Trial, setting the fastest time. for 300-yards. of the two Trials of 15.584, with a two-length victory under jockey Cory Spataro over stablemate Da Zoom, with Cassandra Jeschke riding. Firstprize Charlotte, making her career debut, was bred by Wincikaby and is a daughter of the late Ontario stallion Dashair from the mare Ms First Prize Pearl, a five-time winner at Ajax Downs.
One race earlier, it was Spataro riding the Wincikaby-owned and bred, Woodley-trained SOUR CANDY, who won the first Trial in the first start of his career, by a neck over Silver Lyning, owned and bred by Woodley, with the second-fastest time of the Trials of the 15.642. Sour Candy is the son of Jess Good Candy. Silver Lyning was one length ahead of third-place finisher Had to Be Ivy, the race favourite. Another Wincikaby/ Woodley trainee, Quick Asa Hicccup finished fourth.
“It’s awesome,” said Woodley, who trains her horses with partner and former leading Ajax Downs jockey Jorn McInerney. “We start the babies in the fall and then again in the wrong. You hope that they make the races. I have to give John most of the credit. The babies are his passion and he loves them and spends an enormous amount of time with them.”
“It takes a village though. Cory and Ed Walton and Ray McLellan help us at the farm and the track and the gate guys here are great. And we couldn’t do any of this without the Wincikabys who breed and buy nice horses and give them to us.”
The 10 fastest qualifiers from the two Trials advance to the final on July 6.
When asked about which Trial winner he may partner in the final. Spataro left the decision up to Woodley and McInerney.
Quarter Horse Racing continues at Ajax Downs this Sunday, Father’s Day, June 19 with the final of the Princess Derby for 3-year-olds fillies. The special Father’s Day card will also offer fans a free Ajax Downs t-shirt with a program purchase and voucher giveaways throughout the afternoon.
First race post time on Sunday is 12:55 p.m. For the latest news on Quarter Horse racing and events at Ajax Downs follow us @AjaxDowns on social media and at www.ajaxdowns.com.