AJAX, ONT—OCTOBER 1, 2018—A pair of Ontario-bred geldings tied for the top time Monday in the $70,000 Picov Derby trials at Ajax Downs, however trainer Jason Pascoe and owner Milena Kwiecien teamed to qualify have the field.

Express Your Desire, under jockey Ismael Mosqueira, defeated AJ Chick In 15 in the first of two trials by stopping the clock in :20.240 seconds, a 93 speed index, over a sloppy track into a 22 mph crosswind.

Trainer Tom Dunlap saddled the Desirio gelding to his fifth win eight starts. Bred by Carol Robertson, from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Midnight Express, Express Your Desire has banked over $30,000. A winner of three of five starts this season, the bay gelding qualified for the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity last year.

In the second trial Had To Be Ivory and jockey Tony Phillips matched Express Your Desires winning effort of half-a-length and posted the identical time of :20.240 seconds. Bryn Robertson conditions the Ivory James gelding for Carol and Jaime Robertson.

The multiple stakes winner has lost only once in eight career starts, an allowance effort after in early August to Ajax Downs leading contender for Horse of the Year honors, Country Boy 123.

The Ontario homebred, from the Hadtobenuts mare Had To Be Fandango, won the Ajax Juvenile Challenge, Alex Picov Futurity and Ajax Downs Bonus Derby Challenge. He has earnings of $84,997.

Owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe teamed to get the 3rd fastest time with Paint Me Southern, 4th fastest with Aj Chick In 15, 6th fastest with Carneros, 7th fastest with Island Vodka and 10th fastest time with Apollitical Toll.

Pascoe also saddled 9th fastest Peepl R Krazi for Debbie Strebig.

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys to the Picov Derby CLICK HERE.

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All the Ajax Downs events can be found at ajaxdowns.com.