MAY 2018 THE RIDER /31
Q.R.O.O.I: 11 Harwood Avenue South, Suite 202, Ajax, Ontario L1S 2B9 Telephone: (905) 426-7050 • Fax: (905) 426-7093 Email:
qrooiheadoffice@gmail.com
www.qrooi.com
PRESIDENT
Bob Broadstock 18101 Cedardale Road, Nestleton, Ontario L0B 1L0 (905) 986-0044 email:
bob_broadstock@hotmail.com
VICE-PRESIDENT
Erik Lehtinen RR #2, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R2 (905) 852-5245
Greg Watson 785 Hwy 7A, Bethany, ON L0A 1A0 (705) 277-0248
Chantelle Bourgeois - 416-985-7046
Chantelle.Bourgeois@
t4g.com
Ralph Pearson - 905-243-4501
ralphpearson@bellnet.ca
Dr. Gayle Sommer P.O. Box 91, Leaskdale, ON L0C 1C0 (647) 999-6554
Oh Boy! Great racing on tap for Ajax Downs’ 49th season
season of Quarter Horse Racing was set to begin May 6 and while it has been a tumultuous time for the track and its town, the racing in 2018 prom- ises to be better than ever.
By Jennifer Morrison Ajax Downs’ 49th
sons to be optimistic
town of Ajax, including Mayor Steve Parish have been working hard to keep the Ajax Casino and the battle continues as the first of 20 race dates gets underway. There are many rea-
named Horse of the Year at Ajax by the Quarter
one in Canada, has im- proved in recent years and 2018 will see the re- turn of 2017 Champions as well as a lot of new faces. Country Boy 123,
known as Durham Live in nearby Pickering has left the Ajax Casino on shaky ground. Quarter Horse racing as well would be in jeopardy should the casino close. The track and the
nouncement that plans for a casino and vast en- tertainment
The recent an- district
racing at Ajax, the only Quarter Horse track in Ontario and the biggest
about the state of Quarter Horse racing in Ontario with the recent an- nouncement of long-term funding for horse racing pledging money to tracks the rough the next 19 years. The quality of horses
old Had to be Ivory, big- ger and stronger as a sophomore this year, is preparing for his sopho- more season for trainer
Racing Owners of On- tario Inc. for the second consecutive year, is gear- ing up for his 5-year-old campaign for owner Ruth Barbour. The unbeaten 2-year-
eral big events in store for fans who attend the races on Sundays (in the summer) and Mondays (in the fall). The track has
stable of owner Milena Kwiecien of Burlington, ON will be a force again in 2018. Kwiecien’s horses, trained by Jason Pascoe, wintered in Okla- homa and many have been racing with success. The stable stars from last year, Maryland Magic and LS Prince, along oth- ers, will also be back in action. Ajax Downs’ jockey colony is also a fun and personable group. Ramiro Castillo, who won his first Ajax title last year, will try to repeat over veterans Brian Bell and Tony Phillips and rising star Cassandra Jeschke. Ajax Downs has sev-
Bryn Robertson and he has been an exciting run- ner to watch. The ever-growing
Bryanne Sheppard 749 Waite Road, Pontypool, ON L0A 1K0
seen an increase in atten- dance in the last few years as its on-track events have become more popular. In addition to Mother’s Day and Fa- ther’s Day celebrations, Ajax has a Fan Apprecia- tion day with cash voucher giveaways, a Party on the Patio,
Canada Day celebration and a Craft Beer event. All the events can be found at www.ajax-
downs.com. The name of the
game, however, is Quar- ter Horse racing and as the horses get saddled in such proximity to the fans, it is a good way to
pick out your favourite horse. The track also of- fers a complete area for newcomers to the sport (including free wagers and vouchers) and on- track experts have a high rate of picking winners. Post time for each
racing day is 12:55 p.m. QROOI Stakes Calendar
Race Name / Distance / Added Money / Age / Gender / Date Picov Maturity, 300 yards, $50,000 Added, 4-y-o & up QH - June 3rd Bonus Challenge Maiden, 300 yards, $15,000 per plus one third of $10,000 USD as provided by AQHA - June 10th Bonus Challenge Derby, 300 yards, $15,000 per plus one third of $10,000 USD as provided by AQHA - June 17th Bonus Challenge Futurity, 300 yards, $15,000 per plus one third of $10,000 USD as provided by AQHA - July 15th All Canadian Classic, 350 yards, $35,000 Added 4-y-o and up (Not trial based) - July 22nd Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity, 330 yards, $55,000 Added, 2-y-o Ontario Sired QH - Aug 26th Ontario Sires Stakes Derby, 350 yards, $55,000 Added, 3-y-o Ontario Sired QH - Sept 2nd Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity, 330 yards, $50,000 Added, 4 y-o & up Ontario Sired QH - Sept 2nd Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, 400 yards, $75,000 Added 2-y-o QH - Oct 8th Alex Picov Memorial Championship, 440 yards, $75,000 Added 3-y-o & up QH (Not trial based) - Oct 8th Picov Derby, 400 yards, $70,000 Added, 3-y-o QH - Oct 15th
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