Picov Derby, Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity highlight big card at Ajax Downs race track

Some of the top 2 and 3-year-old Quarter Horses will be in action at Ajax Downs on Wednesday in the $60,795 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity and $53,730 Norman Picov Derby. Both races have drawn big fields and the results could go a long way in determining year-end championships.

With the arrival of autumn, the first race post time at Ajax Downs is now 12:55 p.m.

Ten Ontario-sired juveniles who qualified through two Trials on August 23 will race 330 yards in the OSS Futurity final. Milena Kwiecien’s fast filly Pretty Magicall, trained by Jason Pascoe, won the slightly faster of the trials, leading all the way to win in a time of 17.37 for an 82 speed index. The daughter of Maryland Magic was previously third by a head in the Ontario Bred Futurity. J B Botello rides Pretty Magicall and they will break from post 7.

General Skywalker has been a force in his first year of racing for Marie Broadstock and trainer Bob Broadstock. The big gelding won the Stallion Auction Futurity in his second start and recently won his Trial for the OSS Futurity in 17.45 for an 80 speed index. Ramiro Castillo will guide General Skywalker from post three. His stablemate, Sugar N Pride (post 2), trained by Broadstock for owner George Coleman is also a contender with Rachael Isaacs riding as is Ontario Bred Futurity winner Snow Magically Sweet, who starts from post 7 with Alexis Sanchez riding.

The 10th Norman Picov Derby also has a 10-horse field led by multiple stakes winner Snow Moose, who was recently disqualified from what would have been his fifth straight victory this year. The Ontario-bred grey by Seperate Interest has posted impressive speed indexes of 103, 102 and 101 in his last three races. Owned by Kwiecien and trained by Pascoe, Snow Moose will be ridden by Brian Bell from post 8.

Snow Moose has some stern challengers including Princess Derby winner Had to Be Ivy (Josh Scott riding, post 3), Valiant Chick Insnow (Botello, post 7) and Sour Candy (Sanchez, post 9).

The forecast for Wednesday is for sunny skies and a pleasant 20 degrees and fans can watch and wager on the Ajax Downs races from the trackside tables or its popular simulcast room. You can also watch and wager on the eight-race card at www.HPBet.com. For a free pocket program, entries and news, visit www.ajaxdowns.com.

With files from Jennifer Morrison