AJAX DOWNS, JUNE 12, 2024 - One week after their champion horse Had to Be Ivory won his 27th career race, Carol and Jaime Robertson watched his 2-year-old half sister HAD TO BE FABULOUS streak to victory in the $31,050 Bonus Futurity at Ajax Downs on June 12. The Bonus Futurity headlined a stellar card of racing on a warm and sunny Wednesday, including two Trials for the $55,000-added Ontario Bred Derby.
Trained by Carol's husband Bryn, Had to Be Fabulous had won her career debut on May 29 and was hammered down by the Ajax Downs fans as the 2 to 5 favourite for the Bonus Futurity. With Josh Scott riding, the bay filly broke behind her rivals from post eight but exploded in the late stages of the 250-yard dash to win by a length. First time starter Fate Zoomin, owned and bred by Richard Wincikaby of Orangeville, finished second over Jennifer Deveaux's Bobbis Magic Beans who was third. The time of 13.639 was good for an 80 speed index.
"This is a really mature little filly," said Scott, who works with the Robertson horses at their farm in Hillsburgh, ON. "She has done everything right since her first day of training."
The Robertson family has had several foals from their top racemare Had to Be Fandango, who passed away of old age in 2023. "Every one of her foals was a stakes winner or stakes placed," said Bryn Robertson. "Had to Be Fabulous had to step up today but she broke from the outside post and kept going."
Two Trials for the Ontario Bred Derby produced two exciting finishes to set up for a super final on July 3. Marie Broadstock's GENERAL SKYWALKER, trained by Bob Broadstock, won the fastest Trial as a 10 to 1 longshot under jockey Ramiro Castillo, holding off the Picov Cattle Company's Storminn Normin by a neck to win the 300-yard race in 15.349 for an 89 speed index.
The first Trial was won by Amelie Aubut's SENATOR OF MAGIC who led throughout to win by three-quarters of a length under jockey Diego Benitez over Pretty Magicall. Jason Pascoe trains the first two finishers of the first Trial. The final time of 15.895 translated into an 80 speed index. This was the third win of the afternoon for Benitez who started riding Quarter Horses in Alberta before moving his tack to Ontario two years ago.
Reminder: Ajax Downs hosts the popular Father's Day card of racing this Sunday, June 16, with a first race post time of 12:55 p.m. In addition to another great card of Quarter Horse racing, there will be prizes and giveaways throughout the afternoon plus a t-shirt giveaway for each program purchase, while quantities last.
Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the races trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through
www.HPIBET.com.
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