AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 15, 2021 - Picov Maturity winner FIRING RED JESS will take on nine rivals in the August 18 feature at Ajax Downs, the $42,120 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity for 4-year-olds and upward at 330 yards.
Owned by George Coleman of Peterborough, ON and trained by Scott Reid of Lansdowne, Firing Red Jess gave Coleman his first stakes win as an owner when he upset champion Had to Be Ivory in the Picov Maturity at 21 to 1 on July 7. Had to be Ivory has since come back to set a track record when winning the QROOI Distance Series Leg 2 a week ago.
Firing Red Jess, a son of Mr Jess Tex, has drawn post one and will be ridden by Josh Scott. Trainer Reid has four entrants in the Maturity, restricted to horses by Ontario stallions. Reid's other starters are Usain Colt, Rowdy and Bodacious and Arctic Fame, the latter two also owned by Coleman.
On the far outside, in post 10, is the streaking JESS CAROLINAS AWARD (by Winners Award), a winner of four straight including the Ontario Sires Stakes Derby last October 20. This year, Rick Crispi's homebred 4-year-old is two for two for trainer Tom Dunlap under jockey Ramiro Castillo.
The 2020 Horse of the Year FIESTY ICON has drawn post three for owner and trainer Rick Kennedy. The 9-year-old, a career winner of 20 races, was fifth in the Picov Maturity behind Firing Red Jess. Tony Phillips will ride.
The Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity is race 8 on a super card of Quarter Horse racing that has a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. Fans purchasing a program at the track will receive a free Ontario Sires Stakes t-shirt while supplies last.
To attend the races in person, fans must register at
www.ajaxdowns.com. Registration opens August 16. Follow Quarter Horse racing at Ajax Downs on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @AjaxDowns and catch the live stream of the race card on the Ajax Downs YouTube channel. You can watch and wager on all the races at
www.hpibet.com.
FIELD FOR THE ONTARIO SIRES STAKES MATURITY, AUG. 18
Purse $42,120, 330 yards, Race 8
PP Horse Jockey Trainer
1 Firing Red Jess J Scott S Reid
2 Tres On Fire I Mosqueira C McIntyre
3 Fiesty Icon T Phillips R W Kennedy
4 Usain Colt H M Vanek S Reid
5 Rowdy and Bodacious C Furlonger S Reid
6 Night Fishn C Spataro D Giles
7 Arctic Fame C Furlonger S Reid
8 Momsextravagantheart B Bell C Bourgeois
9 Shaken C Jeschke C Bourgeois
10 Jess Carolinas Award R S Castillo T D Dunlap
Owners: 1 - George Coleman ; 2 - Big Dog Racing Stable ; 3 - Richard W. Kennedy ; 4 - Scott Reid and Colleen McCracken ; 5 - George Coleman ; 6 - Mary Schrama ; 7 - George Coleman ; 8 - Chantelle Bourgeois ; 9 - Chantelle Bourgeois ; 10 - Rick Crispi
Breeders: 1 - Guylaine Paquin; 2 - Gary McNichol; 3 - Picov Cattle Co; 4 - Four Leaf Racing; 5 - Ivy Lane Racing; 6 - Mary Schrama; 7 - Four Leaf Racing; 8 - Dean Link; 9 - Chantelle Bourgeois; 10 - Rick Crispi
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Firing Red Jess (second from right) upset the Picov Maturity on July 7 and heads the Ontario Sires Stakes maturity on Aug. 18 - Katina Milns photo
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