AJAX DOWNS, JULY 21, 2021 - There is a new star at Ajax Downs and her name is JESS A SWEET SUPRIZE, a diminutive but ultra-fast 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare who crushed a top field in the $19,890 QROOI Sprint Series (2) on July 21. The feisty bay gal, who was coming off a win in the 110-yard first leg of the Sprint series on June 16 with a 94-speed index, sped to a three-quarter length win in the 220-yard second leg Wednesday in a track-record 11.747 for a whopping 108 speed index.
Ridden by Cory Spataro of Innisfil, ON for owner and trainer Craig Spada of Ridgeway, Jess a Sweet Suprize was always in command and held off Milena Kwiecien's Carneros, who held the former track record of 11.780, for the victory, the sixth of her career. Night Fishn, another mare, finished third for Mary Schrama of Peterborough.
Three-time Horse of the Year Country Boy 123, the race favourite, lunged up in the air at the start of the race and finished ninth.
Jess a Sweet Surpize, the 3 to 1 second choice, paid $9.20 to win.
"She's a fire-breathing dragon on post parade," said Spataro. "She was out there bucking and kicking. In the starting gate, she was so focused, I was just waiting for them to hit the button and open the gates because I knew she would be out of there fast."
Jess a Sweet Surprize is the only foal of her late dam Jess Curl My Prize and was bred in Iowa by Erin Chrisman and Pattie Marshall.
"She's so happy and in the best form of her life," said Spada, who was registering his ninth win of the season, just behind leader Jason Pascoe who has 11.
Spataro also won on 2019 Horse of the Year Had to Be Ivory on Wednesday in an allowance/optional race and leads all Ajax jockeys with nine victories.
The third leg of the Sprint Series is scheduled for September 8.
Racing at Ajax Downs continues Wednesday, July 28 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. Fans who would like to attend the races can register on-line at
www.ajaxdowns.com.
Follow Quarter Horse racing at Ajax Downs on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (@AjaxDowns) You can watch the entire card of racing from the live stream on the Ajax Downs Facebook page.
The QUARTER RACING OWNERS OF ONTARIO can helo you get involved in owning a Quarter Horse or joining a syndicate. Visit them at
www.qrooi.com.
July 21 card of racing live stream video, all races and interviews:
https://www.facebook.com/ajaxdownsracetrack/videos/1162808347540502
Photo by New Image Media
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