Spy For The Senate (#5) holds off stable mate Snow Moose (#3) in the $21,956(US) Norman Picov Maturity on Sunday at Ajax Downs.

© New Image Media / Clive Cohen

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

AJAX, ONT—JUNE 15, 2025—In one of the tightest finishes of the season at Ajax Downs, Spy For The Senate surged late to claim victory by a nose in the $21,956 (US) Norman Picov Maturity, a 300-yard sprint for older Quarter Horses contested under sunny skies and fast conditions.

The 9-year-old bay stallion by Louisiana Senator, out of Corona Spy by Corona Cartel, stopped the clock in 15.639 seconds, earning a speed index of 89 despite a crosswind measuring 7 mph.

Ridden expertly by Alfredo Amador, Spy For The Senate was bred in Oklahoma by Mary L. Hainline and is owned by Milena Kwiecien. He is trained by Jason Pascoe. A veteran campaigner, he was a $6,000 repurchase at the 2017 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The winning connections of Spy For The Senate accept the Norman Picov Maturity at Ajax Downs.
© New Image Media / Clive Cohen

His dramatic final surge netted him $9,759(US), boosting the multiple stakes winner's earnings to $232,844 off 20 wins in 57 career starts.

"We raised him from a yearling," said Kwiecien. "He was such a quiet and sweet dude, and to see him race so well at the top level is exciting."

Spy for the Senate, like Maryland Magic, also does stud duty in early spring and has his first foals racing this year.

Finishing a heartbreaking second was Snow Moose, a 5-year-old gray gelding by Seperate Interest out of Favorite Pearl by Favorite Cartel, also owned and bred by Milena Kwiecien.

Snow Moose, sent off as the heavy 0.75-to-1 favorite, lost the photo by a nose and posted an identical 89 speed index under jockey J.B. Botello, for trainer Jason Pascoe. The runner-up earned $4,879(US) to bring his earnings to $122,235.

In third, a half-length back, was Silver Lyning, a 5-year-old gray mare by champion sire Separatist out of Embrace Extravagence by Wild Boyz, bred and owned by Michelle Woodley and Gary McNichol of Ontario.

Trained by Michelle Woodley and ridden by Tony Phillips, she collected $2,440 (US) for the show spot. Also a stakes winner, Silver Lyning has earned $60,315 in 13 starts.

Also-rans in the field of six included A Shades of Cold (4th), Chasing Butterflies (5th), and Had To Be Relentless (6th). The track veterinarian scratched two-time AQHA Racing Canadian champion, Had to Be Ivory.

The Norman Picov Maturity continues to affirm its stature as a key stakes race for older Quarter Horses in Canada, delivering a thrilling result and spotlighting the enduring class of veteran runners like Spy For The Senate.

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