Bell's is in top place on the leading rider's list at Ajax Downs with 10 victories.
AJAX DOWNS, JUNE 18, 2023 - On a picture-perfect June afternoon, a huge crowd attended a special Father's Day card of Quarter Horse racing at Ajax Downs and fans were treated to some remarkable racing moments.
Jockey Brian Bell, 42, rode five winners on the day, from nine mounts, including CRYPTO TRAIN, a 2-year-old filly who won the $29,880 QROOI BONUS FUTURITY, in her second career start for owner Bryanne Sheppard and trainer Jason Pascoe. Crypto Train, a Louisiana-bred by the stallion Bp Wagon Train, had finished second by a neck in her career debut on May 31 to stablemate Eye Tempt You, but turned the tables on the rival on Sunday. Breaking sharply from post four, Crypto Train and Bell led throughout the 250-yards to win by a neck over Eye Tempt You in a time of 13.782 for 250-yards, for a 75 speed index.
"Today went much better for her [than her first time out]. We took her out onto the track before everyone else in the post parade, get her to relax a little bit,' said Bell. "That worked well and she got the job done today."
Crypto Train and jockey Brian Bell, take the $29,880 Bonus Futurity at Ajax Downs on Father's Day, June 18 (New Image Media Photo)
Bell also guided heavily favored SNOW MOOSE to victory in the first of two Trials for the $55,000-added Ontario Bred Derby, which has the final on July 5. Snow Moose, owned and bred by Melina Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe, was a popular winner of the 300-yard Trial, his third win in his last four races.
The grey gelding by Seperate Interest from Favorite Pearl started sharply from post position 2 and won by half a length in 15.432 for 300-yards, good for a hefty 95 speed index.
A huge crowd took in the Quarter Horse races at Ajax Downs on Father's Day, June 18. New Image Media photo
The second Trial for the Ontario Bred Derby was won by Richard Wincikaby's SOUR CANDY, trained by Michelle Woodley, who led all the way under Tony Phillips in a time of 15.492 for a 93 speed index. The top 10 horses, by time, will advance to the July 5 final.
Bell's 5 winners launched him into the top place on the leading rider's list at Ajax Downs with 10 victories.
The popular Ontario-bred 3-year-old Snow Moose (New Image Media)
*Father's Day at Ajax Downs was also a big day for owner, breeder, and trainer James Bogar of Cameron, ON, whose horses won four races on the afternoon. Bogar, who started training his own horses this year, won with Queen Charlotte (Brian Bell riding), Im Aquick Corona (Diago Benitez), Heart of the Sun (Bell) and Pretty Runaway (Benitez).
Bogar, who brings all of his horses to the saddling paddock himself, had invited dozens of family and co-workers to the track on Sunday, "It's like a dream come true," said Bogar's wife, Tina.
*Racing continues at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, June 28 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. Be sure to check on the Ajax Downs website, www.ajaxdown.com, for information on all of the 2023 racing dates including the special event Sundays coming up through the summer.
Video: Bonus Futurity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk6hsLAh-v4
