Ajax Downs offers two Quarter Horse stakes races with big fields on Wednesday, June 26, including the final of the $34,020 Unclassified Stakes, Race 7, at 330 yards.
Many of Ajax Downs' stakes races have Trials for horses to qualify (by their final time) for the final. The ten fastest times from the two Trials on June 5 advanced and that presents to fans a fun handicapping puzzle. The field is dominated by fillies, with six of them in the final.
TRIAL WINNERS
The first Trial for the Unclassified Stakes was virtually a match race between No. 5 CINDY LOO WHO and No. 6 TCB STORMY EPISODE. The two fillies raced each other to the finish with the former winning by a neck in a quick time of 16.94 for a 96 speed index. Cindy Loo Who was coming off a close second-place finish in the QROOI Derby and was heavily favoured for her Trial. But Tcb Stormy Episode, who is still a maiden, was a formidable rival, pressing the favourite from her inside.
On Wednesday, the two fillies swap positions in the gate with Cindy Lou Who drawing inside of her rival.
In the second Trial, the long striding filly No. 4 SENATOR ROSE posted a 9-1 upset in a time of 17.09 for a 90 speed index. The Ontario bred and sired three-year-old broke straight and smoothly from the gate and kept her rivals at bay to the wire as she galloped out past the finish. Recent winner No. 10 EXPEDIANT had a bit of a crooked start from the gate but was really motoring in the late stages while the colt No. 8 Ill Go to War finished on even terms with No. 9 A Rushn Lily for third place. Interestingly, Ill Go to War was making the first start of his life in the second Trial.
THE HOT STABLE FACTOR
One particularly useful handicapping approach to consider is that of the hot barn. A trainer who gets on a winning streak must always be respected when trying to pick a winner. James Bogar, who also owns and breeds his horses, has won four races at Ajax Downs in the last two racing days. He’s also winning at a lofty 31 per cent clip at the Ajax Downs meeting. In addition to Senator Rose, Bogar has No. 2 LADY ALICE in the field and this filly had a very rough beginning in the Trial won by her stablemate.
Lady Alice hopped up at the start and then was bumped and squeezed back by another runner, ultimately finishing fifth. In her previous race (which ended an 11-month layoff), Lady Alice defeated Tcb Stormy Episode in her maiden victory.
Playing the Unclassified Stakes
Both Cindy Loo Who and Tcb Stormy Episode must be on the short list of contenders since they ran the fastest times in the Trials. I like the progression of Senator Rose, however, and her odds will be slightly better.
The bets: $2 Exactor Box 2, 4, 5, 6 = $12.00 | $5 to win No. 4 Senator Rose
THE STALLION AUCTION FUTURITY - Race 6
The two-year-olds take the stage in the $35,650 Stallion Auction Futurity at 250 yards and a field of nine has been assembled with each one seeking that first victory.
No. 1 FATE ZOOMIN ran a big race in her career debut on June 12 when she was second in the Bonus Futurity after leading almost all the way.
There are also two grey geldings who were impressive in their first starts and are strong contenders for the win. No. 2 THE BATMANN broke outward from the gate in his debut but was flying past rivals in the late stages. Right behind him was No. 5 ELVIS THE FAMOUS, from the barn of trainer Bryn Robertson, who is winning at a 36 per cent rate.
Playing the Stallion Auction Futurity
I like The Batmann in this race based on his first career race and the fact that Fate Zoomin drew the sometimes-intimidating rail post position. I will put The Batmann and Elvis the Famous in the first position in the exactor with Fate Zoomn and first-time starter No. 7 Last Cold Bud (a half brother to Horse of the Year One Kool Wave)
No. 3 Exactor 2 and 5 with 1, 2, 5, 7 = $12.00
FEATURED IMAGE: Senator Rose, shown streaking to victory in a Trial for the Unclassified Stakes (New Image Media Photo)
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