Belinda Taggart's Ontario-bred One Kool Dynasty charged down the middle of the Ajax Downs stretch and swept to a half-length win in the $54,550 Princess Derby for 3-year-old Quarter Horse fillies, August 5.
The Princess Derby, the biggest race of the Ajax Downs season for sophomore fillies highlighted a stakes-packed afternoon of racing that attracted brisk wagering business from fans betting through Woodbine's Horseplayer Interactive platform. Overall betting on the eight-race card more than doubled the wagering on the same race date last year.
One Kool Dynasty, ridden by 'Hurricane' Helen Vanek and trained by Jason Pascoe, was making her fifth start of the year in the Derby and had been a close second to Derby favourite Tempting First Dash in one of two Trials July 22. It was the second career win for the bay filly by Fdd Dynasty from the mare One Kool Bud and she was bred by William 'Bill' Taggart.
"She's been picking everything up steadily," said Taggart's partner Robert Bailey, who is from Oakwood, ON. "Helen has done a wonderful job riding her, taking her time with her and today they won a beautiful race."
One of just three Ontario-breds in the field, One Kool Dynasty defeated runner-up Virtuosi, owned by the Big Dog Stable with Whiteside, owned by Richard Wincikaby finishing third. The 350 yards was run in a time of :17.982 for an 87 speed index into a 20 mph headwind.
*The co-featured $40,700 Ontario Sired Stakes Maturity for 4-year-olds and up was won in thrilling fashion the 4-year-old filly SHAKE IT TWICE, owned, bred and trained by Chantelle Bourgeois of Enniskillen. Ridden by Cassandra Jeschke of Cobourg, Shake It Twice won a five horse blanket finish by a nose over Itakestwototango from the Big Dog Stable with favourite Fiesty Icon a head back in third.
Shake It Twice, a daughter of Bourgeois' own stallion Look At Magics Form, and mare, Shake Pretty Baby, was one of 2019's top 3-year-old fillies. She was winning her second stakes race and sixth race overall from 12 career starts. She sped 350 yards in :17.007 for a 91 speed index.
"I'm in shock, I have goosebumps," said Bourgeois. "I am really proud of her."
Earlier in the day two Trials for the upcoming Ontario Bred Futurity showcased 2-year-olds with MEMORY OF GRIFFIN winning the first Trial for Erik and Joyce Lehtinen and jockey Ramiro Castillo and 31 to 1 shot TWIXT OF FATE, a first-time starter, winning the second Trial for Richard Wincikaby of Englehart, trainer Michelle Woodley and jockey Ed Walton. The Ontario Bred Futurity final is Aug. 26.
Quarter Horse racing at Ajax Downs continues next Wednesday August 12 with first race post time of 12:55 p.m. Be sure to follow Ajax Downs on Twitter and Instagram (@AjaxDowns) and at
www.ajaxdowns.com for the latest news and entries.
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Photo of One Kool Dynasty by New Image Media
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