Ten race card at Ajax Downs Sunday after track damage cancels Wednesday’s card

Published June 16, 2023 at 9:10 am

Snow Moose and jockey Brian Bell headline the first of two Trials for the Ontario Bred Derby on a special Sunday card of racing at Ajax Downs in honour of Father's Day - New Image Media photo

A huge, 10-race card is the centrepiece of Ajax Downs’ special Father’s Day Sunday afternoon on June 18.

First race post time is 12:55 p.m.

This is the first of several special Sunday event days at Ajax Downs throughout the summer. There will be prize giveaways during the race card including a barbecue, foosball table, Dewalt tools, and more. Fans will receive a gift with each program purchase.

On track, the $29,880 Bonus Futurity for 2-year-olds and two Trials for the $55,000 Ontario Bred Derby, highlight a super day of racing. The Bonus Futurity (race 7) and the Derby Trials (races 3 and 4) were initially scheduled for Wednesday but damage to an inner rail on the track led to the races being canceled after the first sprint.

The Bonus Futurity, at 250-yards, has a field of six including recent winner Eye Tempt You, a grey juvenile who finished fast to win his first career start on May 31 for owner and trainer Jason Pascoe of Pontypool. His main competition will come from his fast filly stablemate Cryptio Train and the promising gelding Willie Lump Lump.

Ontario Derby Trials: Two-time stakes winner Snow Moose has post position 2 in the first, competitive, Ontario Bred Derby Trial with Brian Bell riding for owner Milena Kwiecien. The second Trial features Sour Candy, who lost for the first time in the Open Derby on May 24 to Snow Moose and Open Derby Trial winner One Fabulous Wave.

Five Fillies Racing: The new ownership group Five Fillies Racing, featured earlier this week in the Ajax Downs press notes (you can read it here) did not get to race their filly A Rushn Lilly when the races were canceled Wednesday but she is entered on Father’s Day in race 1. A Rushn Lilly, trained by Chantelle Bourgeois has post position two and jockey Cassandra Jescke on board.

You can find out about all of Ajax Downs’ racing dates and special Sunday event days at www.ajaxdowns.com and on social media, @AjaxDowns.

Field for the $29,880 Bonus Futurity, June 18
Race 7, 250 yards

Post Horse    Jockey Trainer   Odds
1 Senator of Magic   Ed Walton Jason Pascoe 7-2
2 Willie Lump Lump Josh Scott Bryn Robertson 5-1
3 Eye Tempt You     JB Botello Jason Pascoe 5-2
4 Crypto Train         Brian Bell Jason Pascoe 3-1
5 Lady Alice             Diego Benitez James Bogar 15-1
6 Papa Chase Now Carly Furlonger Scott Reid 10-1

With files from Jennifer Morrison

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