Eye Live for Candy wins Picov Derby showdown at Ajax Downs

Stamping herself as the top 3-year-old Quarter Horse in Ontario, Eye Live for Candy drew off from 2021 Horse of the Year First Cold Wave to win the $57,510 Picov Derby at Ajax Downs on Race Day for the United Way on Sunday.

Owned by Milena Kwiecien of Burlington and trained by Jason Pascoe of Pontypool, Eye Live for Candy, under jockey Ismael Mosquiera, broke sharply from post position two in the 400 yard dash and quickly went for the lead with 2021 Horse of the Year First Cold Wave pressing her to the inside. The dark bay filly with the grey tail soon powered clear and went on to a 1 3/4 length victory in 20.023 on the fast track. Her speed index was 95. First Cold Wave, an Ontario sired and bred colt owned by Robert Bailey and also trained by Pascoe, held second by a head over the Kwiecien/Pascoe gelding SW The Redeemer.

It was the fourth straight victory for Eye Live for Candy since returning to Ontario from a spring campaign in Oklahoma. The daughter of A Revenant – Eyes Candy Maker served notice that she was going to be a force at Ajax Downs when she won a Trial for the Princess Derby on June 1 despite a very troubled trip. She went on to win the Princess Derby final and then a Trial for the Picov Derby.

“She’s going forward and more superior every time,’ said Mosquiera. “She was so in the zone today, in the gate, just ready to go.”

Kwiecien, Ajax Downs’ leading owner, purchased Eye Live for Candy privately from Wyoming breeder Klay Hinck as a yearling in 2020. “We loved her pedigree and she was a beautifully built filly.”

Eye Live for Candy has a career record of five wins in 15 races and earnings of over $91,000.

Quarter Horse racing will resume at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, September 14 with a post time of 12:55 p.m. Keep up to date on racing dates and events at www.ajaxdowns.com and on social media.

Video replay of the 9th Picov Derby – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIl_uPiDBZs

With files from Jennifer Morrison