Valiant Chick Insnow, under J.B. Botello, setting the fastest in Wednesday's Alex Picov Futurity trials at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

AJAX, ONT–OCTOBER 5, 2022–After spending the summer in Ruidoso, Valiant Chick Insnow returned to Canada last month to break her maiden at Ajax Downs.  Today the royally-bred filly got her second consecutive win while posting the fastest qualifying time for the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity at Ajax.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from two trial races contested today, will return Wednesday, October 26th to vie for the winner's share of a  $75,000-added purse going 400 yards.

Under jockey J.B. Botello, Valiant Chick Insnow drove to a three-quarter length win over Snow Moose in the opening trial today. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Valiant Hero completed the 400 yards in :20.221 seconds, a 90 speed index.

"She broke really good," said Botello. "Another one came in front of me a bit but my filly was really good."

Leading trainer Jason Pascoe conditions the Oklahoma-bred filly for owner-breeder Milena Kwiecien.

The royally-bred filly is out of the stakes-placed Apollitical Jess mare Aj Chick In 15.  Valiant Chick Insnow's second dam is the champion filly Pj Chick In Black, winner of the Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Futurity. The eight-time winner earned $652,081in her illustrious career that also included wins in the New Mexican Spring Futurity(RG2) and the West Texas Derby(G1).

A Shades Of Cold, under jockey Ismael Mosqueira, posted the second fastest time in Wednesday's Alex Picov Futurity trials at Ajax Downs. © Clive Cohen

A Shade Of Cold was also a three-quarter length winner in his trial to get the second fastest clocking of :20.313 seconds, an 88 speed index.  Also from the Pascoe barn, the son of Cold Hard Cash was ridden by jockey Ismael Mosqueira.

"He's very fast out of the gate," said Mosquiera. "What I was trying to do today is to teach him to finish strongly, rather than go all out from the gate. He was pretty steady and then he started to pick it up at the 200-yard mark to the wire and then we cruised. I didn't want him to empty out today knowing [Valiant Chick Insnow] ran pretty fast in the first Trial."

The Ontario homebred racing for owner-breeder Amelie Aubut has compiled a (4) 2-1-1 record and banked $18,614 this season. Out of Sassy Shades Of Gray, by Fire Finder, A Shade Of Cold was second in the OROOI Bonus Futurity in his last start and third in the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity in August.

"I am so proud," said Aubut, who is in her fifth year of racing Quarter Horses. "He is my first homebred to race."

For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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Ajax Downs hosts the popular 'Pumpkin Day' on Thanksgiving Monday, October 10 with the first 100 children receiving a pumpkin for decorating. There will also be an appearance by the Headless Horseman and prize giveaways. Post time for the first race on October 10 is 12:55 p.m.

Keep up-to-date on news and events at Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and at www.ajaxdowns.com.  To find out more about how you can own a Quarter Horse or join a syndicate, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at www.qrooi.com.