August 18, 2022
By Ajax Downs / Jennifer Morrison
AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 17, 2022 - Richard Wincikaby's homebred 2-year-old filly FIRSTPRISE CHARLOTTE dug in and grabbed a narrow victory in an exciting renewal of the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at Ajax Downs on August 17.
It was just the third career start for the Ontario-bred daughter of Dashair, who is trained by Michelle Woodley and was ridden for the first time by Tony 'TP' Phillips.
Breaking from post position five in the 10-horse field, Firstprize Charlotte was away smartly and was just clear of a lot of bumping between her rivals behind her.
The bay filly fended off an early challenge from Adreamtobuildakisson and Daz Cold to win by a neck as the even-money choice.
Daz Cold, owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe, held second over a closing A Shades of Cold, owned by Amelie Aubut. Firstprize Charlotte sped the 300- yards in 17.113 for an 89 speed index and collected $24,877 for the victory.
Firstprize Charlotte had won her career debut in sensational style, winning by an easy two lengths in a maiden race on June 15.
The filly had become unsettled in the gate in her next start in the Ontario Bred Futurity on July 6 and finished fifth as the heavy favourite.
"She came apart a little bit last time," said John McInerney, a former leading rider at Ajax Downs' who now prepares horses with his partner Michelle Woodley. "The stress got to her that day but we worked with her and got it together. My wife did a great job."
Wincikaby, who is from New Liskeard, ON, has raced a lot of American purchases with success at Ajax Downs and only recently started breeding his own Quarter Horses to race.
"It's a little different feeling when it's your own horse that can win a race like this," said Wincikaby. "I have to thank John and Michelle and Tony for working with this filly."
Firstprize Charlotte's dam, Ms. First Prize Pearl, won four straight races for Wincikaby at Ajax Downs in 2017 before she was retired to be a broodmare.
Two Trials for the $50,000 Picov Derby were held on the August 17 card and both were won by horses owned by Burlington's Milena Kwiecien and trained Jason Pascoe.
EYE LIVE FOR CANDY, winner of the Princess Derby on June 19, coasted to an easy win in the first Trial under jockey Ismael Mosquiera while SW THE REDEEMER held off 2021 horse of the Year First Cold Wave to win the second Trial under jockey JB Botello, The final for the Picov Derby will be held on September 4.
There is a special event Sunday card of racing on August 21 as Ajax Downs hosts its popular Family Fun Day in support of the local hospital. The day begins at 10 a.m. with plenty of activities and events and first race post time is 12:55 p.m.
Keep up to date on news and entries for Ajax Downs on social media and at www.ajaxdowns.com. To find out more about how you can own a Quarter Horse or join a syndicate, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at
www.qrooi.com.
Replay of the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity
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