Had To Be Ivory (left) and Snow Moose (right) meet again in the prestigious Alex Picov Championship, October 9 at Ajax Downs

© Clive Cohen/New Image Media

AJAX DOWNS, ONT–OCTOBER 8, 2024–Ontario's top older Quarter Horses meet on Wednesday, October 9, at Ajax Downs in the 51st running of the prestigious Alex Picov Championship at 440 yards.

The $50,940 dash, race seven on the card, marks the second meeting between the 2023 Horse of the Year SNOW MOOSE and the previous two-time Horse of the Year Had To Be Ivory. Five other top runners have been entered, including Princess Maturity winner Queen Charlotte and last year's Championship co-winner (in a dead-heat), Had To Be Relentless.

The first race post time is 12:55 p.m.

Snow Moose, the top 3-year-old in Canada last year who won the Picov Championship last fall only to be disqualified, has done little wrong in 2024 with three wins, including the Ontario Bred Maturity in July, when he defeated Had to Be Ivory with an impressive front-running score and a 102 speed index.

Since then, the grey son of Seperate Interest, owned and bred by Milena Kwiecien, has won two of three allowance starts, including his latest at just 110-yards.

"He doesn't like to sit in the barn; he likes to race on a regular schedule," said trainer Jason Pascoe of the gelding, who has won nine of 19 career starts. "The 110-yard race [kept him in shape] for the Picov Championship."  JB Botello rides Snow Moose.

Had To Be Ivory, the winningest and richest Ontario bred Quarter Horse in history, and the 9-year-old came back from his loss to Snow Moose with an easy win in a 110-yard sprint in the slop on Sept. 25. Owned by Hillsburgh's Carol and Jaime Robertson, who bred the son of Ivory James, Had to Be Ivory won the 2022 edition of the Picov Championship. He is a 28-time winner in his career. Josh Scott will be aboard Had to Be Ivory who lines up beside Snow Moose in the gate in post 7.

James Bogar's talented homebred filly Queen Charlotte is on a three-race winning streak and recently defeated Had to be Relentless, a younger half-brother to Had to Be Ivory, in a 300-yard dash last month. Leading order Diego Benitez will ride Queen Charlotte from post three.

Had to Be Relentless has post one with Brian Cheyne aboard. Hanover Hill Theresa and Christian Benitez drew post two, and Robertson's fast-improving gelding, One Fabulous Wave, with Cassandra Jeschke, starts from post four. First Cold Wave completes the field in post five with Brian Bell up.

The first race on Wednesday is the 770-yard Battle of the Breeds, and the talented Quarter Horse mare Jess A Deal will be trying for her fourth win in the Quarter Horses vs. Thoroughbreds series. The powerful 8-year-old mare, trained by Bob Broadstock, once again meets Thoroughbreds Red Maple and Sea to Air, plus newcomers from Woodbine and Fort Erie Silent Tribute and Silent Warning.

THE FIELD for the $50,940 ALEX PICOV CHAMPIONSHIP
51st running, 440 yards, Oct. 9, Race 7

1. HAD TO BE RELENTLESS B Cheyne B Robertson  5-1
2. HANOVER HILL THERESA  C Benitez  J Bogar  15-1
3. QUEEN CHARLOTTE D Benitez J Bogar  9-2
4. ONE FABULOUS WAVE C Jeschke  B Robertson  7-1
5. FIRST COLD WAVE  B Bell J Pascoe 10-1
6. SNOW MOOSE JB Botello J Pascoe 3-1
7. HAD TO BE IVORY J Scott B Robertson 4-1

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Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the race's trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com. Do you have a group or company event? Call ahead to reserve the trackside VIP room to enjoy food, drink, and mutuels.

Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905-426-7050 for details on how to join the First Line Racing Syndicate.

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