With a quick turn of foot, 9 to 1 longshot Hanover Hill Theresa got up in the last stride of the $64,700 Ontario Sired Stakes Futurity at Ajax Downs Monday to win by a nose over heavily favoured Bogie Wheels.
The 2-year-old bay filly, owned and bred by the Picov Cattle Company and trained by Joe Tavares, was outsprinted early in the 330-yard race for 2-year-olds by stallions standing in Ontario but rushed into contention under jockey Cory Spataro while Bogie Wheels grabbed a clear lead. Just before the finish, Hanover HIll Theresa surged past the favourite to collect her first career win.
Bogie Wheels finished second but was disqualified and placed eighth and last for interfering with All Outta Sugar out of the gate. Raven Racing Syndicate's Jess Raven was placed second and Hanover Hill Lynda, also from the Picov Cattle Company, was moved up to third.
"I didn't know much about her,'" said Spataro who was riding Hanover Hill Theresa for the first time. "She was very quiet during the pre-race proceedings and we were lucky enough to have an outside post as there was a bit of kerfuffle with others in the middle. She sailed on by and got up to win, It was a surprise to me but a welcomed one."
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*The $21,950 QROOI Sprint Series #3 dash also had a longshot winner. NIGHT FISHIN, at 25 to 1, nosed out 9 to 1 shot Jess a Sweet Surprize to win the 250-yard third leg of the Sprint Series for owner and breeder Mary Schrama and her partner/trainer Dan GIles of Millbrook, ON. The 6-year-old sorrel mare by Sugarman Perry was ridden to victory by Ramiro Castillo and it was the first win for the mare since October 2018.
Carneros, winner of the first leg of the Sprint Series and second in leg #2 to Country Boy 123 finished third over 30 to 1 shot Silken Siri, setting up a $1,516.81 superfecta payoff for 20 cents.
*In the day's 2nd race, 10-year-old ONE FAMOUS GLASS won the final start of his career for owners Carol and Jaime Robertson and trainer Bryn Robterson of HIllsburgh. The 2013 Horse of the Year retires to a life of leisure with a career record of 20 wins in 48 races and earnings of over $340,000.
*Ajax Downs' final day of racing for the 2020 season is next Monday, October 26 headlined by the final of the $54,650 Ontario Sired Stakes Derby. While racing continues to be held without fans you can watch the livestream at AjaxDowns.com and watch and wager through HPIBet.com.
Post time Monday for the first race is 12:55 p.m. Follow Ajax Downs on Twitter and Instagram @AjaxDowns and on Facebook.
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Photo by New Image Media
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