Picov Derby highlights Sunday’s Race Day for United Way at Ajax Downs racetrack

Owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe have a strong hand for the final of the $57,510 Picov Derby at Ajax Downs on Sunday, which is also Race Day for United Way at the track.

There will be prizes, treats and a silent auction for fans on-track and any donation made to the United Way’s Operation Back Pack will receive a $2 betting voucher.

The 9th Picov Derby has a field of nine 3-year-olds who will race 400 yards and Trial winners Eye Live for Candy and SW the Redeemer are two of five starters in the race for the combination of Kwiecien, who is from Burlington, and Pascoe, the meet’s leading trainer (Pontypool). Pascoe has a sixth starter in the field with First Cold Wave, the 2021 Horse of the Year.

Eye Live for Candy, a Wyoming-bred filly, has won three straight races including the Princess Derby on June 19. She returned to action on August 17 and easily beat three rivals in her Picov Derby Trial, winning by 2 1/4 lengths under regular rider Ismael Mosquiera in a quick time of 19.895 for a 99 speed index. Eye Live for Candy will start from post position 2.

SW The Redeemer, an Oklahoma-bred, won his Trial over four rivals including a charging First Cold Wave, an Ontario bred owned by Robert Bailey. SW The Redeemer won by three-quarters of a length in a time of 20.001, a 96 speed index, under jockey J.B. Botello who will ride the brown gelding from post nine on Sunday.

Craig Spada’s filly Scarletts Cartel, a close third behind SW the Redeemer in his Trial, is an improving sophomore for her young trainer Lauren Spada. Spada, 20, won two more races on August 31 and is 3 for 9 since taking out her trainer’s license a month ago.

The Picov Derby is race 9 on a big card on Sunday and first race post time is 12:55 p.m.

Admission is always free at Ajax Downs and you can also watch and wager on the races at www.hpibet.com and view the live stream on the Ajax Downs’ Facebook page.

9th PICOV DERBY

Race 9 – Post time 4:31 p.m.; Purse $50,000. For Three Year Olds at 400 yards.

PP   Horse            Jockey Trainer M/L
1 First Cold Wave 3/G B Bell J Pascoe 4/1
2 Eye Live for Candy 3/F I E Mosqueira J Pascoe 3/1
3 Scarletts Cartel 3/F H M Vanek L Spada 8/1
4 Kold Kinda Star 3/G R Isaacs J Pascoe 6/1
5 Sacred Heart 3/F B Bell J Pascoe 10/1
6 Jtc Lil Moonbar 3/F R S Castillo D Reid 10/1
7 Lethal Tres Seis 3/G E Walton M Woodley 8/1
8 Sw Snowmagicallykool 3/F I E Mosqueira J Pascoe 12/1
9 Sw the Redeemer 3/G J B Botello 128 J Pascoe 7/2

With files from Jennifer Morrison