Two Stakes Races Highlight Ajax Downs racing on June 28

PRESS RELEASE
 
$36,380 Stallion Auction Futurity, $31,320 Final for ‘Never Better Than 79 Speed Index’ Top Big Quarter Horse Card
 
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AQUATICA has won four straight races and goes for more June 28 in the Final for the ‘Never Better Than 79 Speed Index’ Stakes
 
 
AJAX DOWNS, JUNE 27, 2023 – Two stakes races highlight a super, seven-race card of Quarter Horse racing at Ajax Downs this Wednesday, June 28 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m.
 
The first running of the $36,360 Stallion Auction Futurity for 2-year-olds at 250 yards is race 5 and has a field of seven youngsters. The Stallion Auction Futurity was created with proceeds from the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario’s annual Stallion Auction, featuring Ontario’s Quarter horse stallions. Two-year-olds who are by the participating stallions in the auction are eligible.
 
James Bogar’s SENATOR ROSE, a filly who won her first career race on June 7 by an easy one-length, will be one of the favourites in the Futurity. Bred by Bogar of Cameron, ON, Senator Rose is by his stallion Caviar and Corona. She will be ridden by Diego Benitez from post seven. Marie Broadstock’s GENERAL SKYWALKER was a closing second to Senator Rose in his first career and is a big son of Look At Magics Form. Ramiro Castillo will ride General Skywalker from post five.
 
*Race 7 on Wednesday is the final of the QROOI’s new Unclassified/Never Better than 79 Speed Index Stakes worth $31,320 for horses who are just below the top stakes horses at Ajax Downs. The fleet grey filly AQUATICA won the slightly faster of two Trials for the 330-yard dash for 3-year-olds and upward and she is riding a four-race winning streak for owner and trainer Jason Pascoe. JB Botello rides Aquatica and they have post three in the 10-horse field. JOE CHECKERS was the other Trial winner and he is the first horse owned by Jennifer Zurowski of Vancouver, BC. Pascoe also trains Joe Checkers and Brian Bell will ride the 4-year-old from post seven.
 
Other contenders in the ‘Never Better than 79’ Stakes include the Lauren Spada-trained KRASH ON OKEY, with young rider Alexis Sanchez seeking his first victory, and recent winner MIA HAVANA, owned by John Wilson and trained by Scott Reid.
 
Admission is always free at Ajax Downs and the trackside picnic tables make for an up-close look at the horses in action. You can also watch and wager on the Ajax Downs races at HPIBet.com. The live feed of the races can be seen on the Ajax Downs Facebook page.