Open A New Corona, under Brian Bell, battled to a head victory over Alabama Mooonshine in the $36,634 (US) Princess Derby at Ajax Downs on August 5.

© New Image Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

AJAX, CAN–AUGUST 5, 2026–Second-fastest qualifier Open A New Corona broke sharply and fought gamely to capture Wednesday's $36,634 (US) Princess Derby at Ajax Downs. The 350-yard stakes for 3-year-old fillies was held following trials held July 19.

Ridden by Brian Bell, the sorrel filly is owned and trained by Joe Tavares and was bred in Louisiana by Brian Gunder.

A $6,500 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate, she is sired by champion Open Me A Corona and out of the stakes-winning One Fabulous Eagle mare On A New Note ($179,504), a half-sister to stakes winner Corona Toast ($254,786). Her female family also includes champions Sixy Chick ($751,284) and Gotta Get ($972,834).

Open A New Corona with her connections in the winners circle. © New Image Media

Breaking from post three, Open A New Corona quickly seized command, dueled throughout the stretch, and held off a determined Alabama Mooonshine by a head. She completed the 350 yards in :17.986, earning a 92 speed index while recording her first stakes victory.

The victory improved her record to 7 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, and the $14,658 winner's share increased her bankroll to $27,629. Earlier this season she finished second in the QROOI Open Derby.

Ridden by Corry Beland, Alabama Mooonshine chased the winner from the start and continued to battle to the wire, finishing a game second by a head in :18.002 with a 92 speed index.

The homebred filly, owned by Marie Broadstock and trained by Bob Broadstock, remains in search of her first stakes victory. She now sports a record of 9-1-4-2 with earnings of $42,125.

She entered the July 19 trials off a third-place effort in the Ontario Bred Derby after finishing runner-up in both the Ontario Bred Futurity and Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity last season.

She is by Look At Magics Form out of the Coronas Leaving You mare Ms Dashin Corona.

Working Class Hero and jockey Alexis Sanchez rallied from well back in the field, closing strongly on the outside to finish third in :18.228 with an 86 speed index.

The filly races for owner Rick Crispi and trainer Scott Reid. Bred by Efrain Mendez, the $25,000 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate is by One Valiant Hero out of the Im A Fancy PYC mare Eye Am A Fancy.

Her second dam is stakes winner Johns Party Girl ($70,169). Already a stakes winner in the 2025 Heritage Place Juvenile Stakes, she now owns a record of 9-2-0-3 with earnings of $43,662.

Mi Reina Janette finished fourth, followed by Lil Phyler, Chillin With Peeps, Goodlookingperry and Sixes Royal Maiden. Haaave You Met Karma and Keep Them In Corona were scratched.

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