Bragging rights for the best 3-year-old Quarter Horse in Ontario are on the line Monday, Sept. 23 in the 7th Picov Derby at Ajax Downs worth $62,900.
The 10 fastest qualifiers from two Trials held on Sept. 9 will decide the final at 400 yards in race 7 on a big, 10-race card that begins at 12:55 p.m.
The final pits the fastest Trial winner, HOSPITALITI, who invaded from the U.S. and flew to her trial win with a big 102 speed index against locally-owned JESS A DEAL, a filly who won her trial with a 91 speed index for owners Picov Cattle Company and Marie Broadstock.
Hospitaliti, sent north by owner Glen Graff and trainer Matt Frazier to Ajax Downs trainer Greg Watson, was making her Ajax debut and first start in June when she raced past heavily favoured Spy for the Senate under jockey Shanley Jackson. Hospitaliti will start from post 8.
Jess a Deal caught Ontario-bred Shes Sizzling, winner of the Ontario Bred Derby in June, in her trial victory, her first win since coming to Ajax at the start of this season. Bob Broadstock trains and Ismael Mosquiera rides from post 10.
The 50th anniversary season of Quarter Horse racing in Ontario continues each Monday until Oct. 21.
The field for the $62,900 Picov Derby:
PP Horse Jockey Trainer M/L
1 Rey of the Night (TX) G Rodriguez T D Dunlap 10/1
2 Luv Cartel (TX) B Bell B Wood 12/1
3 Five Bar Fandango (ON) T Phillips B Robertson 10/1
4 Stripper Dust (AL) N Ramirez J Pascoe 8/1
5 Shes Sizzling (ON) R S Castillo E Lehtinen 8/1
6 Spy for the Senate (OK) O Andrade, Jr. J Pascoe 3/1
7 Chicksdigmymoneybags (TX) R Knowles R Barbour 15/1
8 Hospitaliti (TX) S Jackson G Watson 7/1
9 Jess a Sweet Suprize (IA)C Jeschke C Spada 4/1
10 Jess a Deal (TX) I E Mosqueira B Broadstock 6/1
*
HOSPITALITI came to town and won the fastest trial for the Picov Derby Sept. 9 - New Image Media Photo
All Ajax Downs replays can be found on its website or at
www.youtube.com/user/ONTrack365/videos.
Follow Ajax Downs on Twitter (@AjaxDowns), Instagram and Facebook or at
www.ajaxdowns.com for more on Quarter Horse racing in Ontario.
Can't make it to the track? Watch and wager at
www.HPIBet.com or at the Champions Teletheatre Network.
More Top Racing Headlines