Carneros, Sugar N Pride star at Ajax Downs racing card

Longshot Sugar N Pride made his first career start of his career a memorable one for owner George Coleman, speeding to victory in the fastest of two Trials for the upcoming $55,000 Ontario Bred Futurity at Ajax Downs Wednesday.

Sent off at 19 to 1, Sugar N Pride edged his more-fancied stablemate, stakes winner General Skywalker, at the end of the 300-yard, second Trial for the Futurity on a perfect summer afternoon for Quarter Horse racing.

Trained by Bob Broadstock, Sugar N Pride, a son of Sugarman Perry and bred by Rene and Darlene Hunderup’s Heste Sport in King City, broke sharply under jockey Rachael Isaacs and won the $11,300 second Trial by a neck in a time of 16.113 for a 72 speed index. A $2 bet on the youngster returned $41.

Isaacs, who helped Broadstock break and train his young horses this past winter and spring, was excited about the 2-year-old gelding’s chances coming into the race.

“I spent a lot of time with these 2-year-olds over the winter and Duke (Sugar N Pride) was a standout, an incredibly talented horse,” said Isaacs. “He was the toughest horse I have ever had to break, a tough cookie to crack.”

In the first Trial for the Ontario Bred Futurity, it was Pretty Magicall, a daughter of Maryland Magic, who broke fast from the gate and was never headed, winning by a length in a time of 16.180 for a 70 speed index under jockey JB Botello. Owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe, Pretty Magicall was making the third start of her career and was winning for the first time. Like Sugar N Pride, Pretty Magical was bred by Heste Sport.

The final for the Ontario Bred Futurity is on Wednesday, August 2.

The incomparable Carneros, a world record setter and previous sprint champion at Ajax Downs, won the second leg of the Sprint Series on the July 12 card. The 8-year-old son of Prospect to the Top jumped to a quick, early lead and won the 220-yard dash by a neck in a time of 12.030 for a 95 speed index. Ridden by the meet’s leading rider, Brian Bell, Carneros was winning for the 15th time in his 50th career start under the care of trainer Jason Pascoe.

As is customary when a rider wins his first race, Alexis Sanchez is doused with water by his fellow riders. New Image Media photo

Another highlight of the day was young jockey Alexis Sanchez, who only began his riding career in May, winning his first race at Ajax Downs, guiding Krash On Okay to victory in a 110-yard dash for trainer Lauren Spada and owner Craig Spada. Sanchez, whose father Ramiro Castillo is a leading rider at Ajax Downs, won his first race as a jockey at Fort Erie racetrack recently.

Racing continues Sunday, July 16 with a special event Sunday card, CRAFT BREWERY DAY, featuring some of the region’s top craft breweries. Fans in attendance will have a chance to win prizes and enjoy an afternoon of racing which gets underway at 12:55 p.m. Visit www.ajaxdowns.com for updates on news and events.

Sugar N Pride and jockey Rachael Isaacs win the fastest of two Trials for the Ontario Bred Futurity as 19 to 1 longshots. New Image Media photo

With files from Jennifer Morrison