AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 18, 2021 -- Reigning Ajax Downs Horse of the Year
FIESTY ICON scored his first win of 2021 in emphatic fashion on August 18, charging to victory by a neck in the $42,120 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity.
The classy nine-year-old, owned and trained by Rick Kennedy of Mount Albert, ON, was quickly in an early battle under jockey Tony Phillips with Picov Maturity winner Firing Red Jess in the 330-yard dash and held that rival safe to the finish. His time of 16.733 was good for a 101 speed index marking the return to top form for the multiple stakes winner.
Firing Red Jess, favoured at 8 to 5 for owner George Coleman of Peterborough, was half a l length clear for second under Josh Scott while the lone mare in the field, Night Fishn, finished third.
Sent off at 6 to 1 odds for the Maturity, Feisty Icon had finished seventh in his season debut and then fifth behind Firing Red Jess in the Picov Maturity to begin his 2021 campaign. Following almost five weeks of freshening at Kennedy's farm, Fiesty Icon was razor-sharp in the comeback. He paid $14.30 for the win.
"He broke so hard today he actually stumbled a little bit,' said Phillips, who won three races on the day. "He recovered rapidly and he just started running them down and the more he went on, the better he got."
Kennedy, who bought Fiesty Icon as a yearling from breeder Picov Cattle Company, has sent out Fiesty Icon, by Ontario sire Sugarman Perry, to 21 career wins from 52 starts with over $382,000 in earnings.
"He still loves to race and he wants to race," said Kennedy. "I am blessed to have him."
Kennedy and Phillips also combined to win with Hanover Hill Chalsee for the Picov Cattle Company in a speed index race.
Jockey
Cory Spataro also won three races on the afternoon, two for trainer Craig Spada, to take the lead in the competitive jockey's race with 14 victories.
Quarter Horse racing continues next
Wednesday, August 25 with the Trials for the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity for 2-year-olds. First race post time is 1:30 p.m.
Fans are welcome and can register to attend at
www.ajaxdowns.com. For more information, stay tuned to Ajax Downs on Twitter and Instagram @AjaxDowns.
The 2020 Horse of the Year at Ajax Downs, Feisty Icon, returned to top form to win the $42,120 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity - Clive Cohen Photo
Video stream of the August 18 card of racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT0kj-lC2L0
2020 Horse of the Year at Ajax Downs, Feisty Icon, returned to top form to win the $42,120 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity - Clive Cohen Photo
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