Who will reign as Ajax Downs' leading rider of 2023?
AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 3, 2023 - The top 2-year-old Quarter Horses in Ontario begin their trek to the prestigious Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, on Wednesday, October 4 in two Trials for the $70,000-added final. The Trials, each at 400-yards, are races five and six on the Wednesday card that begins at 12:55 p.m.
GENERAL SKYWALKER and SUGAR N PRIDE, both stakes winners this year for trainer Bob Broadstock, headline their separate Trials. General Skywalker, owned and bred by Marie Broadstock, won the Ajax Downs Stallion Futurity in June and won a Trial for the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity on Aug. 23, He finished fifth behind Sugar N Pride in the final of that race after bobbling at the start and getting squeezed back by another rival. The son of Ontario stallion Look at Magics Form will be ridden by Ramiro Castillo.
Ontario sired and bred SUGAR N PRIDE headlines the Trials on October 4 for the $70,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity. New Image Media/Clive Cohen photo
General Skywalker meets Ontario Bred Futurity winner SNOW MAGICALLY SWEET, owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe, and Erik and Joyce Lehtinen's impressive maiden winner HAWKIN THE STRAW.
Sugar N Pride, owned by George Coleman and bred by Heste Sport, Inc. in King City, was an easy winner of the OSS Futurity, dashing away to win by 1 1/4 lengths with an impressive 81 speed index. The son of Sugarman Perry has won two of four races and he will have his regular rider, Rachael Isaacs on board. His competition includes PRETTY MAGICALL, who was fourth in the OSS Futurity and Carol and Jaime Robertson's WILLIE LUMP LUMP, who will be ridden by Josh Scott.
*Who will reign as Ajax Downs' leading rider of 2023? The battle is still contentious between JB Botello, Brian Bell and Ramiro Castillo with four racing dates remaining in the season. Currently, the Champion Jockey honour goes to the rider with the most QROOI points, which are awarded on a scale - more points available in higher rated races. Botello leads with 211 points while he is third by wins at 19. Brian Bell has 205 points and leads all riders with 22 wins while Castillo has 203 points and 20 wins. Come on out and catch the furious finish to the jockey race at Ajax Downs!
Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. Enjoy an afternoon of racing from the trackside picnic tables or you can watch and wager on www.HPIBet.com. Visit www.ajaxdowns.com for more news and events and to get a copy of a pocket program.
