My Royal Swinger captured his third consecutive victory and gave owner-trainer Joe Tavares a 1-2 finish in Sunday's Unclassified Never Better Than 79 Speed Index Stakes at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

AJAX, ON–JUNE 21, 2026–Joe Tavares enjoyed a memorable afternoon at Ajax Downs on Sunday when his runners finished first and second in the $22,360 (US) Unclassified Never Better Than 79 Speed Index Stakes.

Fans backed My Royal Swinger as the 8-5 favorite, and the gelding delivered despite a troubled start. Under jockey Cory Beland, My Royal Swinger recovered from the bump out of the gates and held off stablemate Ariche by a half-length in the 330-yard feature.

Ariche, ridden by Jose Cruz at odds of 10-1, closed strongly in the final strides to secure the runner-up spot. Hesmagicalydelicious SI 85 finished another head back in third with Ramiro Castillo in the irons.

Tavares acquired both top finishers through Heritage Place mixed sales during the offseason. He purchased My Royal Swinger for $4,500 at the 2025 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale and later added Ariche for $10,700 at the 2026 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

After regaining his footing from the rough start, My Royal Swinger stopped the clock in :17.163 seconds for a 90 speed index over the fast racing surface with a 6 mph tailwind. The effort returned $5.50 to win and kept the gelding undefeated through three starts this season.

The victory was especially meaningful for Beland, who earned his first career stakes win and also completed a riding double on the afternoon card.

"Everything that has gotten me to this point is because of the help my father has given me. So it's great to have him here to enjoy the moment. We are having fun and learning along the way," Beland said.

Beland's father, an Ajax Downs steward, was on hand for Father's Day to witness the milestone victory.

The partnership between Beland and My Royal Swinger has quickly developed into a successful one. The pair broke the gelding's maiden with a half-length victory last month, followed with a trial win, and added Sunday's stakes triumph to complete a three-race winning streak.

"Joe (Tavares) said to me, 'Just let him do his thing, stay out of his way and only help him when he needs it.' So that's what we did," Beland said.

Asked about the race trip along the rail, Beland added, "Joe and I had a pretty good plan mapped out, and everything went as expected for once."

Owned and trained by Tavares, My Royal Swinger has won three of six starts and boosted his earnings to $16,445. The son of My Royal Wagon was bred in Indiana by Brian and Lane Gunder out of Game Swinger, a daughter of Swingin Jess.

Tavares also trains Ariche for owner Alexandra Tavares. The three-year-old gelding remains a maiden after 11 starts and has banked $11,884. The son of A Royal Jess was bred in New Mexico by MRB Racing LLC out of the Corona Cartel mare First Place Cartel. Earlier this season, he finished fourth in the QROOI Open Derby.

Asked about his confidence in the race, Tavares said, "Well, if you're in the race, you have a shot. It's totally exciting to have both horses finish 1-2 in the race."

Hesmagicalydelicious races for owner First Line Racing Syndicate and trainer Bob Broadstock. The Ontario-bred four-year-old gelding has compiled a record of four wins, three seconds, and four thirds from 14 starts with earnings of $33,069. The son of Maryland Magic was bred by Marie Broadstock. He is out of Dinahlicious, a daughter of Bodacious Jess.

Completing the order of finish were Keep Them In Corona, Tell Him No Secrets, Haaave You Met Karma, Thirty Ought Six, Royal Zanbo, and Sixes Royal Maiden.

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