Lady Alice, guided by Christina Benitez, wins the $24,907 (US) Unclassified Never Better Than 79 Stakes by 1 1/4-lengths at Ajax Downs on Wednesday.

© Clive Cohen/New Image Media

AJAX, ONT–JUNE 26, 2024–Longshot Lady Alice emerges from the rain to win the $24,907 (US) Unclassified Never Better Than 79 Stakes at Ajax Downs on Wednesday.

Jockey Christian Benitez, who had never won stakes until today, gets back-to-back stakes wins aboard Lady Alice in the Unclassified NB Stakes and Fate Zoomin in the Stallion Auction Futurity.

Benitez piloted Lady Alice to her wire-to-wire 1 1/4-length victory in :17.052 seconds, clocking a 92 speed index. The upset paid $18.00 to win on 6/1 odds.

The three-year-old daughter of FDD Dynasty broke her maiden in her first out of the season and now has two wins from five starts. She placed fourth in the QROOI Bonus Futurity last year. The $9,964 winner's share of the purse increases her earnings to $18,428.

The winning connections of Lady Alice accept the $24,907 (US) Unclassified Never Better Than 79 St at Ajax Downs on Wednesday. © Clive Cohen/New Image Media

James Bogar bred, owns and trains Lady Alice in Ontario. She is out of Leanintoit by Tres Seis. Bogar also conditioned Senator Rose, who placed fourth.

When asked about the two fillies coming into the race, Ashley Bogar, who represented the Bogar team, commented, "We were excited for both. Senator Rose had the faster time from the trials, but we thought they would both do well and hoped they would come in first and second."

The 330-yard race was run on a fast track in the rain with an 8 mph tailwind. Bogar said, "We all love it. It's fun. It's very exciting, even in the rain.

The Tcb Stormy Episode, piloted by Brian Bell, placed second. The daughter of Bp Wagon Train has yet to break her maiden from seven starts. She has earned $10,463 for owner Jennifer Zurowski, who paid $5,500 for her in the 2023 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

Salvador Flores bred Tcb Sormy Episode in Louisiana out of Mcm Fast Episode by Heza Fast Dash. Joe Tavares trains her.

Ramiro Sanchez Castillo was aboard Sugar Boy Perry for his third-place finish. The three-year-old son of Sugarman Perry has lit the board six of six starts with one win and $15,003 in the bank. Trainer Bob Broadstock saddled the sorrel gelding out of Dm Aurora by Dm Selexus for owner/breeder Heste Sport, Inc.

The remaining order of finish is Senator Rose, A Rushn Lilly Cindy Loo Who, Expediant and Ill Go To War. Interested Party and Tdz Barton Grand were scratched.