(PHOTO - Jockey RAMIRO CASTILLO is overjoyed as he guides the 2-year-old Rpainted Pistol to victory in the $22,050 John Deere Regional Challenge at Ajax Downs on Sunday, July 10 for owner Milena Kwiecien - New Image Media Photo)
Rpainted Pistol, a 2-year-old making his first start for owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe, scored a flashy win in the $22,050 John Deere Regional Juvenile Challenge on July 10 at Ajax Downs. The victory automatically grants the almost-black gelding an entry to the $150,000-guaranteed John Deere Juvenile Championship (G2) at Los Alamitos on October. 29
It was the third career start and second win for the youngster who was bought privately by Pasco for Kwiecien in the spring from breeders Bob and Deanna Williams in Oklahoma.
“It’s our first stakes win,” said Kwiecien. “I am so proud of Jason, he works so hard and we had a tough year in 2015. I decided to go out and get better horses this year and see what happens.”
Pascoe also brought in one of the leading Quarter Horse jockeys in Alberta, Ramiro Castillo, to ride Rpainted Pistol, a son of the top stallion Pyc Paint Your Wagon from the mare Rdustys Chick by Chicks Beduino.
Making his first start since April when he had a bad start in a trial race for a Remington Park Futurity race, Rpainted Pistol broke well, charged to the lead and then ended up a one-length winner when a speedy rival to his inside, First Down Money Pop, suddenly veered in towards the rail.
Rpainted Pistol raced the 350 yard distance in :18.620 into a 12 mph headwind which made times on 'Country Day' at Ajax Downs a bit slow.
Definitiely Carter, who was shipped in for the race by American trainer Anthony Cunningham, finished second while Kwiecien's other entrant, the filly Denali Teller Off, had traffic trouble and finished third.
Kwiecien was told about Rpainted Pistol being for sale in the spring and although she believed she had enough runners, was taken with the youngster's looks.
"I love them black and he was a cute little guy," said Kwiecien. "Jason was looking for a hot 2-year-old to buy."
Kwiecien and her partner Glenn Young operate Equestrious in Burlington, ON, specializing in breeding and raising reining horses as well as racing Quarter Horses.
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