AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 15, 2024 - James Bogar's homebred filly QUEEN CHARLOTTE put on a powerful display in the $30,960 Princess Maturity at Ajax Downs on August 14 and posted a one-length upset score at 12 to 1. Ridden by Diego Benitez, who had a three-win afternoon, Queen Charlotte had a sharp start from the gate at the outset of the 400-yard stakes race and chased Firstprize Charlotte and favoured Valiant Chick Insnow in the early stages before surging to victory. Four fillies or mares were in a photo finish for second with Valiant Chick Insnow edging Hanover Hill Theresa, also owned by Bogar.
The time for the race of 19.862 was good for a huge 101 speed index. The victory was the fifth in 15 races for Queen Charlotte.
The Princess Maturity was the biggest win for Bogar, who also trains and bred Queen Charlotte, a 4-year-old by One Fabulous Eagle - Leanintoit who was born on Bogar's Cameron, ON farm. Bogar raced his first horse as owner just over nine years ago but expanded his broodmare and racehorse numbers about five years ago.
"She's shown a lot of promise and I always thought she could be a stakes horse," said Bogar, who only started training his horses in 2023 and is currently Ajax Downs' leading trainer. "Looking at her record on paper you wouldn't think she would win this race. But I saw something in her and hoped I was right."
The victory was extra special for Bogar as his brother Richard Cardinal was in attendance having traveled from Edmonton. Bogar only discovered he had a brother last year when his daughter Ashley received a genealogy kit as a gift. Cardinal had spent some 50 years looking for his father, James Bogar, Sr., before finding his brother James.
Emotions also ran high when Carol and Wayne Proctor won with their first starter of 2024. Their 3-year-old first time starter CARAWAYS ANGELS AIR impressively won race 4 just two months after the Proctors lost their son William. Carol was greeted with cheers and hugs in the winner's circle from the entire Ajax Downs community.
Racing resumes at Ajax Downs next Wednesday, August 21 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m.
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