Annies Best Card, ridden by Ismael Mosqueira, wins the $22,622(US) Unclassified Never Better Than 79 Stakes on Wednesday at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen/New Image Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

AJAX, ONT–JUNE 25, 2025–Annies Best Card claimed her first career win in style on Wednesday at Ajax Downs, taking the $22,622(US) Unclassified Never Better Than 79 Stakes. The three-year-old filly outran stablemate and post-time favorite Sw The Lion King, giving trainer Jason Pascoe a one-two finish in the 330-yard stakes event.

Ridden for the first time by Ismael Mosqueira, Annies Best Card broke on top and opened up in the stretch, pulling away to a commanding 3/4-length victory. She stopped the clock in 17.001 seconds, earning a 95 speed index and paying $8.40 to win at 3-1 odds.

“Since he [Pascoe] qualified quite a few horses in the trials, he thought she would fit better to my style,” said Mosqueira. “We’ve teamed up before with multiple winners, so when he asked me to ride, I said okay.”

“I just let her get her feet on the ground, and halfway to the wire, she never stopped—she just kept running and running,” Mosqueira continued.

The winning connections of Annies Best Card accept the Unclassied NBT 79 Stakes trophy on Wednesday at Ajax Downs. © Clive Cohen/New Image Media

Previously ridden by Brian Bell in the trials, Annies Best Card had finished second to Sw The Lion King, who clocked the fastest qualifying time.

“I thought she would just keep getting better,” said Pascoe. “Her last trial race really impressed me, but I didn’t expect this. I thought Sw The Lion King might win it.”

Sunday’s win marked a breakthrough for Annies Best Card, who had placed sixth in the QROOI Open Derby earlier this season. The daughter of Docs Best Card raced once as a two-year-old, finishing sixth in her maiden effort. She now boasts earnings of $12,199 from five career starts.

Pascoe, who also owns the filly, purchased her for $7,500 at this year’s Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

“A really good friend of mine actually talked me into going to look at her,” Pascoe added. “I didn’t have her marked on my catalog sheet. I liked everything about her, and we ended up getting her.”

Annies Best Card was bred in Oklahoma by Tommy Rippee, out of the Furrtreeous mare Lil Annie.

Sw The Lion King, a three-year-old son of Sw The Game Changer, ran a strong second under J.B. Botello. He has two wins from five starts and earned $11,576 for owner Tim Wettlaufer. He was bred in Oklahoma by Sherry Wingfield, out of Rockin Miss Kitty by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

At longshot 25-1 odds, Stolin Secrets rallied late under Cassandra Jeschke to claim third. The Ontario-bred son of Caviar And Corona is still seeking his first win after four starts. He was bred by Guylain Paquin out of Stolin Ivory by Ivory James, and is trained by Chantelle Bourgeois for owner Robert Burns.

Flyin Lady, Cg Mega Spy, Rr Illbeurhucklenbery, and Ride The Hurricane completed the field. Favorite Interest and Ivory Queen were scratched.

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