A Shades of Cold edged the favoured filly Firstprize Charlotte in his Trial on Sept. 27
AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 17, 2023 - There are just two racing dates remaining in the 2023 Quarter Horse season at Ajax Downs but plenty of races still to be run and a 'battle royale' between three of the track's jockeys. This Wednesday, October 18, a seven-race card beginning at 12:55 p.m. is headlined by the $61,020 Ontario Sired Stakes Derby Final for 3-year-olds by stallions who stand in this province.
Lindsay, ON resident BRIAN BELL, currently leading the Ajax Downs' riders with 25 victories, partners Amelie Aubut's homebred gelding A SHADES OF COLD, the fastest Trial winner, in the 350-yard OSS Derby final. A Shades of Cold, a son of Cold Hard Dash, edged the favoured filly Firstprize Charlotte in his Trial on Sept. 27, winning by a neck in 17.88 for a 93 speed index. That was the fourth career win for A Shades of Cold who is trained by Jason Pascoe.
A SHADES OF COLD, with BRIAN BELL riding, was the fastest qualifier for the final of the Ontario Sired Stakes Derby, which headlines the October 18 card of racing at Ajax Downs - New Image Media/Clive Cohen photo
Aubut is from Pont-Rouge, Quebec and A Shades of Cold is from her first small group of horses she bred herself. This is also the first time Aubut has had the fastest qualifier for a stakes race. A Shades of Cold and Bell will start from post 7 in the contentious, 10-horse field.
ADREAMTOBUILDAKISSON, owned, bred, and trained by Angelle Carter who is based at Fort Erie, was a handy winner of his Trial in 17.91 for a 92 speed index. The son of Dashair led all the way to win by half a length with his ears pricked. It was the second straight victory and third overall for Adreamtobuildakisson who will be ridden once again by Ismael Mosquiera. The pair line up in post 8 beside A Shades of Cold.
*Heading into this Wednesday's races, bragging rights for the season's top jockey are up in the air. Bell, whose 25 wins this season top the 22 wins for Ramiro Castillo and 20 for JB Botello, is actually third by points issued by the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario. Botello has 229 points to Castillo's 225 and Bell's 224 points. The QROOI points are awarded to jockey's placing in races and the more valuable the race, the more points are awarded.
This week, Bell has 6 mounts (before scratches) Botello rides in 5 races and Castillo is named to ride 4 horses.
Come on out and cheer on your favourite jockey!
*Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs and the forecast for this Wednesday is for sunny skies and temperatures in the upper teens. You can watch and wager on the races from our trackside picnic tables. Watching and wagering is also available on www.HPIBET.com. Visit www.ajaxdowns,com for more information.
