Jess A Deal and jockey Ramiro Castillo on their way to victory in the 5th Battle of the Breeds at Ajax Downs. It was the second win in a BOTB for the top mare.

© Laurie Overton

AJAX, ONT–JULY 22, 2024– On a hot July afternoon, the racing action at Ajax Downs was sizzling, and the grandstand and track apron were packed with fans for Craft Beer and Cider Day. The first race on Sunday, July 21, the fifth edition of the Battle of the Breeds, which pits Quarter Horses versus Thoroughbreds, brought the crowd to their feet.

Quarter Horse Jess A Deal, a tough mare owned by Marie Broadstock and Picov Cattle Company, held off the charge of Thoroughbred Lion Of The Sea to win the 770-yard race around a turn by a length in 41.684.

Ridden by Ramiro Castillo, the eight-year-old daughter of Dealagame set the track record for the 770-yard distance in the previous Battle of the Breeds on May 29. Lion of the Sea, brought to Ajax Downs by Thoroughbred owner and trained Jeff Voyce, broke slowly from the gate but had an impressive rally to finish second over longshot Azures Royalty.

Since the series' inception, quarter Horses have won three of the five Battle of the Breeds.

It is safe to say that owner John Wilson of New Liskeard, ON, and his trainer Scott Reid of Lansdowne have a firm hold of the Princess Derby final on August 7. Wilson and Reid and jockey Carly Furlonger won both Trials for the $50,000 Princess Derby with Rbybybaby and Expediant.

The impressive filly Rbybybaby is three for three since arriving at Ajax Downs this year. She won the first Princess Derby Trial. © New Image Media

Rbybybaby has remained undefeated since arriving at Ajax Downs from Oklahoma in 2024. A black filly foaled in Washington, Rbybybaby won the QROOI Open Derby on May 22 and an allowance race on June 12.

In the Princess Derby trial at 350 yards, Rbybybaby, heavily favored at 4 to 5, always had a short lead, and she won by half a length over Unclassified Stakes winner Lady Alice, owned by James Bogar.

The time was 18.079 for an 87 speed index. Rbybybaby set the third fastest time to the finals, behind Expediant and Special Spice.

In the second trial, Furlonger and Expediant (5 to 1) were in the middle of a four-way photo finish of 3-year-old fillies and won by inches in 18.065 for an 87 speed index. Expediant set the time to beat in the trials.

The Princess Derby final is on August 7.

CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW to watch the race replay for the Battle of the Breeds #5, won by Jess A Deal. 

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There is no live racing at Ajax Downs this Wednesday, July 24. Racing resumes on July 31 with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m. The on-track feature will be the final of the $55,000 Ontario Bred Futurity.

To reserve the VIP room for your next event or meeting, contact Ajax Downs at 905-686-8001. For information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, call the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905-426-7050.