First Cold Wave has hottest time in Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity trials at Ajax Downs

Ajax | Durham | Ontario | Latest News | Sports |

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Published August 26, 2021 at 12:46 pm

Robert Bailey’s homebred 2-year-old First Cold Wave won the fastest of two time trials for the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity over a fast Ajax Downs track Wednesday afternoon.

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 August 4 Ontario Bred Futurity.

Night Leader grabbed second over Kold Kinda Star, who is also by Cold Hard Dash.

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.

The first of the two time trials was also won by a Pascoe-trained 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.

Filly Magic Flare held second by a neck over 9 to 5 favourite SW Snowmagicallykool.

Keepr of the Stars who has won two of four starts, paid $7.50 to win.

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.

Other horses advancing included Blazin Magician, Jezzabella, Runawayslightsncaviar and Magic Diamond.

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 November 3 end of the season, rather than switch to a Monday schedule which was scheduled to begin September 13. The first race post time will change to 12:55 on Wednesday, September 15.

With files from Jennifer Morrison

Photo by New Image Media

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