"Carly and Scott were both really excited about Rbybybaby, Ruby, as we call her." said John Wilson.
AJAX DOWNS, MAY 23, 2024 - It was a memorable day at Ajax Downs for owner JOHN WILSON of New Liskeard, ON as two fillies he purchased last fall to race in Ontario both won on May 22 including RBYBYBABY who said so long to her rivals in the $30,240 OPEN DERBY for 3-year-olds. In the previous race, Wilson's EXPEDIANT won the MAYOR'S CUP, sponsored by the Town of Ajax's mayor, SHAUN COLLIER.
Both fillies are trained by Scott Reid and were ridden by his partner Carly Furlonger.
RBYBYBABY and jockey Carly Furlonger reach for the finish line in the #30,240 Open Derby on May 22 - New Image Media photo
Rbybybaby, making her first start at Ajax Downs, had shown some talent in her first six starts in the U.S. and had won a fast maiden race in her last appearance in October at Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma. Bet down to 9 to 5 as second favourite by the shrewd Ajax Downs crowd, Rbybybaby brushed with Sugar N Pride at the start of the 300-yard dash but was soon striding out to the lead. The black filly opened up on her rivals and then held off the closing runs of Cindy Loo Who and favourite Eye Tempt You to win by a neck. The time of 15.476 was good for an impressive 95 speed index. Rbybybaby paid $5.80 to win.
Wilson, who had all four members of his family with him to cheer on his horses, paid $20,000 for Rbybybaby and $24,500 for Expediant in the 2023 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale in Oklahoma.
"Carly and Scott were both really excited about Rbybybaby, Ruby, as we call her. We weren't really planning to purchase her at the sale; we were only going to buy Expediant but ended up buying both of them." said Wilson.
Reid and Furlonger, who are from Lansdowne, did much research before the sale.
Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier (holding cheque, dark jacket) presents the Mayor's Cup to John Wilson (cowboy hat) and Expediant. New Image Media Photo
Reid commented, "I was pretty impressed with her at the sale, but I liked both her and Expediant and wasn't sure who was fastest. We found out today they both are pretty fast."
Expediant was making her second career start following a third-place finish in her debut on May 8. Mayor Collier greeted the Texas bred by Favorite Cartel in the winner's circle, adding $1,500 to the fifth race's purse.
"The Cup started in 2018 when I became mayor," said Mayor Collier. "We are very happy to support Ajax Downs; I have been coming here since I was five when it was just a small track."
Trainer Reid also won the day's first race with Raven Racing's Daphnee. Furlonger, who had injured her leg in the starting gate last week, took off the first race to preserve her leg so Cassandra Jeschke rode Daphnee.
**Racing resumes at Ajax Downs on Wednesday May 29 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the race's 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.
Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com for news, track programs and more information.
