Ontario Sires Stakes field set for Oct. 18 showdown at Ajax Downs

On a warm and sunny late September afternoon at Ajax Downs, two Trials for the Ontario Sires Stakes Derby featured exciting finishes that ensure a fantastic final on October 18 that will be worth more than $55,000.

The OSS Derby Trials were at 350 yards for 3-year-olds by Ontario stallions and the two winners, A Shades of Cold and Adreamtobuildakisson posted almost identical winning times.

A Shades of Cold, owned and bred by Amelie Aubut of Pont-Rouge, Quebec, held off race favourite FirstPrizeCharlotte to win the first Trial by a neck in a time of 17.883 for a 93 speed index. Winning rider Brian Bell, who won 2 races on the afternoon, was riding the sorrel son of Cold Hard Dash for the third time.

“Today he was totally focused,” said Bell. “I find that if he doesn’t stand well in the gate, he doesn’t run well.”

A Shades of Cold, a son of Cold Hard Dash, was one of four winners for leading trainer Jason Pascoe on the day. FirstPrizeCharlotte, ridden by Alexis Sanchez for trainer Lauren Spada, was a neck in front of Admiral Nelson for second place.

Adreamtobuildakisson, owned, trained, and bred by Angelle Carter, was an easy winner of the second Trial, scoring by half a length over Eyesa Dasha Wacky in a time of 17.912 for a 92 speed index. Ismael Mosqueira rode Adreamtobuildakisson, a son of the late stallion Dashair from Carter’s top mare Tres SeIs Smooches.

“I told my Mom that he was not going to be a horse you would force to do anything. He had to enjoy it,” said Carter, who gave a shout-out to her ailing mother Linda. “I’m totally ecstatic and I hope this makes Mom feel better.”

In the exciting race for champion jockey, Bell and JB Botello battled to a draw today with two wins each, while Ramiro Castillo, also in contention for leading rider, had a winner.

With files from Jennifer Morrison