Racing


Carneros Scores in 2022 Debut, Wins $15,421(US) OQOOI Sprint Series #1 Stakes at Ajax Downs
Carneros (inside), under jockey Brian Bell, defeats Zoxtobeyou in the $15,421(USO QROOI Sprint Stakes Series #1 on Sunday at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media
Carneros Scores in 2022 Debut, Wins $15,421(US) OQOOI Sprint Series #1 Stakes at Ajax Downs

AJAX, ONT–MAY 22, 2022–Multiple stakes winner Carneros kicked-off his 2022 season with a stakes win in Sunday’s $15,421(US) OQOOI Sprint Series #1 Stakes at Ajax Downs.

Carneros was a wire-to-wire neck winner, under jockey Brian Bel, over Zoxtobeyou. He completed the 110 yards in :06:889 seconds, equaling a 103 speed index into a 28 mph headwind.  The track conditions were listed as “Rainy” and the racing surface was labeled as “Good”.

Trainer Jason Pascoe saddled the son of two-time champion Prospect To The Top to his 13th win in 41 career starts for owner Milena Kwiecien. Carneros has won his last three starts.

Bred in Oklahoma by Stone Chase Stables LLC, Carneros picked up $6,563(US) for his effort.  Out of the Valiant Hero mare Cakebread And Thou, the 7-year-old gelding has earned $114,732.  

Zoxtobeyou, an 8-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Pappasito, finished a neck back to earn $3,281(US) for second. Janet Grice trains the Ontario-bred gelding for owner-breeder Steve Hunter. Lloyd Desouza was aboard the gelding out of A Leading Memory by Special Leader. The multiple stakes-placed runner has earned $75,153.

Two-time AJAX Horse of the Year Fiesty Icon finished half-a-length back to pick up $1,641I(US) for third.  Owned-and-trained by Richard Kennedy, the son of Sugarman Perry has won 22 of 55 career starts and banked over $306,000. Picov Cattle Co bred the 10-year-old gelding on Ontario from the Special Effort mare Feisty Sprit. Tony Phillips had the riding call.

Maryland Magic, Chicksdigmymoneybags, Eye Am The Eagle and Pretty Runaway completed the field.
 

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Quarter Horse racing returns on Wednesday, June 1 with the $25,000-added Picov Maturity which could lure champions Had to Be Ivory and Country Boy 123. Post time on June 1 is 1:30 p.m.

Be sure to come out to an exciting days of racing at Ajax Downs, you can also watch and wager on all the races at www.HPIbet.com.

For more information on racing dates at Ajax Downs in 2022, including all the special event Sundays, visit www.ajaxdowns.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@ajaxdowns). To find out more about owning your own Quarter Horse or to join a syndicate, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at www.qrooi.com.