AJAX, ONT—OCTOBER 9, 2017—Late speed, under jockey Cory Spataro, propelled Country Boy 123 to a neck win over Albertt in the $73,946(US) Alex Picov Memorial Championship Monday afternoon at Ajax Downs. Valiant Stoli Time finished a neck back in a blanket finish to take third-place.

Country Boy 123, a 4-year-old son of Country Chicks Man, raced over the "heavy" racetrack, into a 7-mph headwind, to clock the 440 yards in :21.710, a 102-speed index. It would be the first two stakes wins today for trainer Bryan Robertson who also saddled Had To Be Ivory to victory in the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity (see related story).

Ruth Barbour owns the multiple stakes winning Michigan-bred 5-year-old out of Very Dashin 123 by Dash Thru Traffic. He has compiled an (18) 11-3-0 record and today's winning purse of $28,560(US) boosted Country Boy 123's earnings to $163,122. Carolyn Bay is the breeder.

Also showing late speed Albertt got to the wire too late and had to settle for second-place earning of $16,748(US) for owner, breeder and trainer Scott Reid. Cassandra Jeschke rode the son of Mr Jess Tex out of Squincheyes by Mr Eye Opener.

Valiant Stoli Time made the lead early under jockey Ed Walton before getting caught at the wire. The Texas-bred son of leading sire Valiant Hero earned $7,140(US) for owner Milena Kwiecien. Jason Pascoe conditions the gelding out of Its Stoli Time by Stoli. Bob and Jerry Gaston is the breeder.

Hickerson, Fiesty Icon, One Famous Glass, Steel Patriot and Alakazaam completed the field.