AJAX DOWNS, October 4, 2023 - Eye Tempt You, owned and trained by Jason Pascoe of Pontypool, Ontario, withstood a claim of foul to win the fastest of two Trials for the prestigious Alex Picov Memorial Futurity for two-year-olds at Ajax Downs on October 4.
The grey gelding, who has not raced since June when he was a close second in the $30,000 Bonus Futurity, broke sharply from the gate in the second Trial and was clear of his rivals in a matter of strides.
The son of One Valiant Hero advances to the Picov Memorial Futurity final, worth over $70,000 as one of the favourites.
Milena Kwiecien's Pretty Magicall, an Ontario sired and bred filly, was a strong second over Willie Lump Lump, who had to alter course when the winner came across the track.
Pascoe, Ajax Downs' leading trainer, won the first Picov Memorial Futurity Trial too as Erik and Joyce Lehtinen's Ontario bred Hawkin The Straw won in front running fashion, stopping the clock in 20.554, for an 83 speed index, under jockey Brian Bell.
"It was cool because no other two-year-old in the race had gone the 400-yard distance, so it was an unknown," said Bell, who won two races on the afternoon, boosting his meet-leading total to 24 victories. "The way he broke from the gate, I said 'okay let's go on with it'".
A son of American stallion BF Farm Boss, Hawkin the Straw began his career with three starts at Horseshoe Indianapolis before his maiden victory at Ajax Downs on September 13.
The 10 qualifiers from the Picov Memorial Futurity will race for the purse of $ 70,000 added in the final on October 25.
Ajax Downs has a special Thanksgiving Holiday Monday card of racing on October 9 to benefit the United Way, There will be a silent auction and a pumpkin giveaway to the first 200 kids.
Monday's racing card also includes the prestigious Alex Picov Championship for older horses.
First race post time is 12:55 p.m.
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