AJAX DOWNS, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25, 2021 - Robert Bailey's homebred 2-year-old FIRST COLD WAVE (
pictured, New Image Media) won the fastest of two time Trials for Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity over a fast Ajax Downs track on a hot summer afternoon.
Sixteen Ontario-sired juveniles took part in the 330-yard Trials with the 10 fastest 2-year-olds advancing to the September 13 final worth $60,000-added.
First Cold Wave, a member of the first crop of the stallion Cold Hard Dash, had a perfect start from post eight in the second Trial and quickly grabbed the lead under jockey Brian Bell. The Jason Pascoe-trainee, the second choice of the public at 8 to 5, won by a length over a closing Night Leader, who had beaten him in the Aug. 4 Ontario Bred Futurity. Night Leader, owned by Scott Reid and John Wilson grabbed second over Kold Kinda Star, owned by Belinda Taggart and also by Cold Hard Dash, who was third.
The time for First Cold Wave's Trial, with an 11 mph tailwind, was 17.014 for a 92 speed index. It was the second win in three races for the copper-coloured gelding. He paid $5.10 to win.
"Jason told me this guy is going to give me his all," said Bell. "He had a little issue with his leg that he hurt in his stall but Jason kept working on him. He thought he could run as fast as a 92 speed index and sure enough, he ran a 92 today."
The first Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity Trial was also won by a Pascoe 2-year-old, KEEPR OF THE STARS, a bay gelding owned and bred by Belinda Taggart. Fourth in the Ontario Bred Futurity behind Night Leader and First Cold Wave, Keepr of the Stars was behind the leaders early but closed ground to win by half a length in 17.132 for an 88 speed index. Ridden by Helen Vanek, the son of Star Fire Dash was the 5 to 2 third choice. Magic Flare, a filly by first-year sire Maryland Magic, held second by a neck over 9 to 5 favourite SW Snowmagicallykool.
Keepr of the Stars has won two of four starts and he paid $7,50 to win.
The 10 qualifiers for the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity are listed below.
Also on the August 25 card, owner Rick Crispi, trainer Tom Dunlap and jockey Ramiro Castillo won three races. Castillo's three wins move him into a tie for leading rider with Ismael Mosquiera, who won a pair Wednesday, at 15 wins. Cory Spataro has 14 wins.
Racing, and stakes action, continues next week, September 1, with the Trials for the top 3-year-old race of the season, the Picov Derby, worth $50,000. First race post time is 1:30 p.m.
Ajax Downs also announced that racing will continue on Wednesdays through the end of the season, Nov. 3, rather than switch to a Monday schedule which was scheduled to begin Sept. 13. The first race post time will change to 12:55 on Wednesday, September 15.
Follow Ajax Downs on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or visit our website at
www.ajaxdowns.com for more updates.
Video - Race 2, First Trial -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC1RLeN16lQ
Video - Race 3 - Second Trial -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7dTN18EsVw&t=564s
TOP TEN QUALIFIERS for Sept. 13 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity
Horse Times Trainer Jockey Owner
1 First Cold Wave 17.014 Pascoe Bell Bailey
2 Keepr of the Stars 17.132 Pascoe Vanek Taggart
3 Night Leader 17.176 Reid Scott Reid/Wilson
4 Magic Flare 17.206 Dunlap Castillo Crispi
5 SW Snowmagicallykool 17.229 Pascoe Mosqueira Kwiecien
6 Blazin Magician 17.249 Pascoe Moreno Kwiecien
7 Kold Kinda Star 17.362 Pascoe Mosqueira Taggart
8 Jezzabella 17.395 Wood DeSouza Bogar
9 Runawayslightsncaviar 17.568 Wood Phillips Bogar
10 Magic Diamond 17.993 5 Pascoe Vanek Kwiecien
More Top Racing Headlines