One of Ajax Downs’ all-time leading jockeys, Ed Walton, will return to the saddle after a two-year hiatus on Sunday, June 4 for a big card of Quarter Horse Racing.
The 54-year-old is named on horses in seven of the nine races including both Trials for the upcoming, $50,000 Picov Maturity. There are 16 horses entered for the Trials and the fastest top 10 horses will advance to the June 18 final.
(Photo to right- Country Boy 123. New Image Media Photo)
Walton, one of the first Quarter Horse jockeys at Picov Downs dating back to 1989, has ridden in more than 1,200 races with over 200 winners. Considered one of Ontario’s most accomplished horsemen. The 5’ 11” Walton has said he was interested in making a comeback because the maximum jockey weight was raised to 130 lbs from 127 lbs.
“I’m really excited,” said Walton. “When I came back in 2008 [off a 14-year hiatus from race riding] I really wanted to win a race and get a picture with my kids. Now I hope to win one and get a picture with my three grandchildren.”
Walton will ride Rick Crispi’s Fast Buck, trained by Tom Dunlap, in the first Maturity Trial which goes as race five on the nine-race card. Fast Buck will be making his first start of the season and will be tackling three previous Ajax Horses of the Year: One Kool Wave, One Famous Glass and Fiesty Icon.
In the second trial, going as race six at 330 yards, Walton will be on Deal a Fortune for the Crispi and Dunlap combination.
(Photo - He may be tall for a jockey, but he has long been one of Ajax Downs' top horsemen - Ed Walton returns to the saddle on Sunday. Photo by Nrorm Files)
The headline horse in the second Trial is last year’s Horse of the Year Country Boy 123 who returns form his winter vacation for owner Ruth Barbour and trainer Bryn Robertson.
Now a 4-year-old, the giant Country Boy 123, owned by Ruth Barbour, was a popular runner in 2016, winning six of his seven races at Ajax including the Picov Derby and the Adequan Ajax Derby Challenge.
“Last year he looked like a big kid,” said Barbour of Hillsburgh, ON. “He feels so different his year. He’s a man, he’s massive.”
Post time for the first of nine races at Ajax on Sunday is 12:55 p.m.
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