Aquatica looks for third straight win in Maturity Stakes at Ajax Downs

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Published June 6, 2023 at 9:01 am

Aquatica has won two speed index races in 2023 for owner Jason Pascoe (far right). New Image Media Photo

Two Trial races for the new, ‘NB 79′ Maturity Stakes headline a seven-race Quarter Horse card at Ajax Downs on Wednesday. This new added-money event, created for owners with horses who are not at the top level, is restricted to horses who had never posted a speed index rating higher than 79 at the time of nomination, which was April 1 of this year. The Trials and the $30,000 final on June 28, are at 330-yards.

“This new race is meant to give the lower-end horses a shot at a little stakes purse,” said Bob Broadstock, president of the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario. “Also, we are hoping it encourages people to buy horses to race at Ajax Downs, or owners to retain their horses from the previous year so that they have a chance at competing in this race.”

The first Trial for the NB 79 Maturity is race 4 and the streaking Aquatica seeks her third straight win of 2023 for owner and trainer Jason Pascoe of Pontypool. A grey 3-year-old filly by Moonin the Eagle, Aquatica was purchased by Pascoe for $25,000 from the 2021 Heritage Place Fall yearling Sale in Oklahoma. She took her first win in her sixth start, a maiden race at Ajax Downs last September, and has not been defeated since.

Aquatica (post position 3) will be ridden by Ajax Downs’ current leading rider JB Botello.

Wednesday’s fifth race is the second Trial for the Maturity and Picov Cattle Co.’s Hanover Hill Justine could rule as favourite. An Ontario sired and bred 5-year-old mare, Hanover Hill Justine won her 2023 seasonal debut on May 31 in a speed index race for trainer Rick Kennedy. The daughter of local stallion Make Out Artist will be ridden by Ed Walton, who will be riding Wednesday for the first time this year.

Broadstock will send out Dagney Taggert in the second Trial for the First Line Racing Syndicate, a group of new owners who have enjoyed success with owning shares in horses for the past few years. Ramiro Castillo rides Dagney Taggart, who has drawn post position one.

First race post time on Wednesday is 1:30 p.m.

With files from Jennifer Morrison

 

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