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.
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.