Ontario bred filly, Had To Be Fabulous, mshown winning her Picov Derby Trial on Aug. 24, has been unbeatable in 2025.

© Laurie Overton

AJAX DOWNS, ONT–SEPTEMBER 9, 2025–One of the biggest days of the Ajax Downs season takes place this Wednesday, September 10, with the 13th running of the Norman Picov Derby for 3-year-olds. The 400-yard dash has a purse of $59,310 and has the ten fastest finalists from two Trials in the field.

Also on Wednesday, as part of a big, nine-race card, is the $54,045 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity for 2-year-olds sired by local stallions.

First race post time on Wednesday is 12:55 p.m.=

The big question regarding the prestigious Picov Derby (Race 9) is whether one of the nine rivals can find a way to get past the incredible Ontario-bred filly Had To Be Fabulous, who has won eight consecutive races and three stakes events in 2025.

The unassuming, plain bay filly won the slightly faster Trial for owners and breeders Carol and Jaime Robertson and trainer Bryn Robertson on Aug. 24 despite a step-slow start under jockey Ismael Mosqueira. Another filly, Kissin Ella, and the late-running Peighntmeadiamond closed ground to finish a close second and third.

Last Cold Bud posted a 9 to 1 upset when winning the other Derby Trial for owner and breeder Belinda Taggart and trainer Scott Reid. Ridden by Christian Benitez, Last Cold Bud won by a nose over a fast-finishing Nadir and Elvis the Famous.

Coincidentally, Had to Be Fabulous and Last Cold Bud lined up beside each other in the starting gate in posts 9 and 10.

Last year's winner of the Norman Picov Derby was the Scott Reid-trained Rbyebyebaby, the third filly to win the race in the last four years.

13th NORMAN PICOV DERBY - 400 YARDS
RACE 9, Sept. 10, Ajax Downs
Post Horse (Where Foaled) – Jockey – Trainer – Odds
1 Stolin Secrets (ON) – C Jeschke – C Bourgeois – 15/1
2 Game Favorite (IN) – T Phillips – R Barbour – 8/1
3 Kissin Ella (OK) – J B Botello – J Pascoe – 4/1
4 The Batmann (ON) – A Sanchez – S Reid – 10/1
5 Sassies Best (TX) – J Amb. Medina – S Reid – 12/1
6 Peighntmeadiamond (ON) – B Bell – J Tavares – 8/1
7 Elvis the Famous (ON) – R S Castillo – B Robertson – 10/1
8 Nadir (NM) – D A Garcia – J Tavares – 6/1
9 Had to Be Fabulous (ON) – I Mosqueira – B Robertson – 3/1
10 Last Cold Bud (ON) – C Benitez – S Reid – 7/2

Admission and parking are always free at Ajax Downs. At our picnic tables, you can watch and wager on our exciting races trackside, up close to the action. To reserve tables in advance for $25 or book the VIP room for your party or group, contact www.ajaxdowns.com.

There is also an expansive simulcast wagering room with tellers, or you can wager through www.HPIBet.com. If you want to get involved in owning a Quarter Horse, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905-426-7050.

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