Racing


Had To Be Ivory Stays Perfect 4-for4, Sets Top Mark In Alex Picov Memorial Futurity Trials
Had To Be Ivory, under jockey Tony Phillips, setting the fastest time in the $75,000-added lex Picov Memorial Futurity trials at Ajax Downs Monday afternoon.

© Clive Cohen
Had To Be Ivory Stays Perfect 4-for4, Sets Top Mark In Alex Picov Memorial Futurity Trials

AJAX, ONT—SEPTEMBER 18, 2017—Had To Be Ivory, a stakes winning son of multiple stakes sire Ivory James defeated the royally-bred Aj Chick In 15 by 1-¼ lengths Monday afternoon at set the fastest qualifying time for the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity at Ajax Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Ontario Canada racecourse on Monday, October 9th to vie for the winner's share of a $75,000-added purse going 400 yards.

Island Vodka, under jockey Ramiro Castillo, drives to victory in the closing trial. © Clive Cohen
Ridden by jockey Tony Phillips, Had To Be Ivory completed his 400-yard task in a quick :19.940 clocking to earn a 101-speed index with a 4-mph tailwind. It was the fourth win in as many starts for the 2-year-old.

Bryn Robertson trains the Ontario homebred for Carol and Jaime Robertson. Out of the stakes winning Hadtobenuts mare Had To Be Fandango, Had To Be Ivory won the John Deere Ajax Juvenile Challenge and has banked more than $29,000.

Six of the 10 qualifiers came from the opening trial including second fastest qualifier Aj Chick In 15, who finished anther 1-¼ lengths ahead of the field.

Owner Milena Kwiecien claimed the daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess, out of the champion Desirio mare Pj Chick In Black, four races back for $10,000 at Remington Park.

Conditioned by trainer Jason Pascoe, who saddled three qualifiers, Aj Chick In 15 posted a :20.170 clocking, a 94-speed index, to earn the second fastest time. She has compiled a (6) 1-2-1 record and banked $9,319 this season. D. Bowen, S. Taylor, and J. Smith Farms bred the bay filly in Oklahoma.

Express Your Desire, under jockey Natasha Fritz, qualifying from the second trial at Ajax Downs Monday afternoon.
© Clive Cohen
Island Vodka picked up her second consecutive win in the final trial to post the fourth fastest time of :20.440 seconds. Jockey Ramiro Castillo rode the Triple Vodka filly to a half-length win for owner Milena Kwiecien.

Also, trained by Pascoe, she is out of the Panther Mountain mare Pantherisland. Bred by Alan and Sharon Colley, she was a finalist in the John Deere Ajax Juvenile earlier this season.

Making just his second career start, Express Your Desire posted his second straight win in the second trial to qualify with the sixth fastest time of :20.530 seconds. Tom Dunlap conditions the Desirio gelding for owner Renee Wilson. Carol Robertson bred Express Your Desire in Ontario from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Midnight Express B.

For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.