Trials for Picov Memorial Futurity highlights card at Ajax Downs

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Published October 4, 2022 at 2:08 pm

The filly Firstprize Charlotte (white blinkers) and gelding A Shades of Cold (8), both Ontario-breds, are top contenders in the Alex Picov Futurity Trials on Oct. 5 (new Image Media photo)

Some of the top 2-year-old Quarter Horses in Ontario will compete in two Trials for the rich Alex Picov Memorial Futurity at Ajax Downs as part of a seven-race card on Wednesday, October 5. The Alex Picov Futurity, the richest race of the Ajax Downs season, is worth $75,000 and the final will be run on October 26. The race is open to Canadian and American-bred youngsters.

The 10 fastest qualifying through the two 400-yard Trials, races 3 and 4 on Wednesday, will advance to the final.

Ontario bred FIRSTPRIZE CHARLOTTE, winner of the $62,190 Ontario Sires Futurity on Aug. 17 for owner and breeder Richard Wincikaby of New Liskeard, headlines the second Trial and she will start from post position six with leading rider Tony Phillips in the saddle. The filly was a sensational debut winner in June but was flat in the Ontario Bred Futurity second time out when she became unsettled at the starting gate.

Phillips was riding Firstprize Charlotte, who is trained by Michelle Woodley of Hilllsburgh, for the first time for the Ontario Sires Futurity victory.

“I had a chance to ride her around the track and school her in the gate after the glitch in her previous race,” said Phillips, who guided the filly to a neck victory in the Ontario Sires Futurity.

Amelie Aubut’s A Shades of Cold, also an Ontario-bred, was a close third behind Firstprize Charlotte that day and should appreciate the longer, 400-yard distance. Trained by Jason Pascoe, the sorrel gelding will be ridden by Ismael Mosquiera.

Pascoe will saddle the probable favourite in the first Trial, Valiant ChickInsnow, owned by Milena Kwiecien. An Oklahoma bred produced from the successful Ajax Downs mare A J Chick in 15, Valiant Chick InSnow had five races in the U.S. before galloping to an easy maiden win at Ajax on Sept. 14. J.B. Botello will ride.

First race post time on Wednesday is 12:55 p.m.

*This Wednesday is also the final day to enter the draw to win a share in the First Line Racing Syndicate which will give the winner a share in two horses to race in 2023. The draw will be held on Ajax Downs’ Thanksgiving Holiday Monday card of racing, ‘Pumpkin Day’, on October 10.

With files from Jennifer Morrison

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