AJAX DOWNS, October 17, 2023 - There are just two racing dates remaining in the 2023 Quarter Horse season at Ajax Downs but plenty of races still to be run and a 'battle royale' between three of the track's jockeys.
This Wednesday, October 18, a seven-race card beginning at 12:55 p.m. is headlined by the $61,020 Ontario Sired Stakes Derby Final for three-year-olds by stallions who stand in this province.
Lindsay, ON resident Brian Bell, currently leading the Ajax Downs' riders with 25 victories, partners Amelie Aubut's homebred gelding A Shades of Cold, the fastest Trial winner, in the 350-yard OSS Derby final.
A Shades of Cold, a son of Cold Hard Dash, edged the favoured filly Firstprize Charlotte in his Trial on September 27, winning by a neck in 17.88 for a 93 speed index.
That was the fourth career win for A Shades of Cold who is trained by Jason Pascoe.
Aubut is from Pont-Rouge, Quebec and A Shades of Cold is from her first small group of horses she bred herself. This is also the first time Aubut has had the fastest qualifier for a stakes race.
A Shades of Cold and Bell will start from post seven in the contentious, 10-horse field.
Adreamtobuildakisson, owned, bred, and trained by Angelle Carter who is based at Fort Erie, was a handy winner of his Trial in 17.91 for a 92 speed index.
The son of Dashair led all the way to win by half a length with his ears pricked. It was the second straight victory and third overall for Adreamtobuildakisson who will be ridden once again by Ismael Mosquiera.
The pair line up in post eight beside A Shades of Cold.
Heading into this Wednesday's races, bragging rights for the season's top jockey are up in the air.
Bell, whose 25 wins this season top the 22 wins for Ramiro Castillo and 20 for JB Botello, is actually third by points issued by the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario.
Botello has 229 points to Castillo's 225 and Bell's 224 points.
The QROOI points are awarded to jockey's placing in races and the more valuable the race, the more points are awarded.
This week, Bell has six mounts (before scratches) Botello rides in five races and Castillo is named to ride four horses.
Come on out and cheer on your favourite jockey!
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