Preview Racing


Big Money On The LIne For Ontario Bred 2-Year-Olds at Ajax Downs Wednesday
Twixt Of Fate, set the Ontario Bred Futurity fastest qualifying time in his career debut

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media
Big Money On The LIne For Ontario Bred 2-Year-Olds at Ajax Downs Wednesday

AJAX, ONT—AUGUST 23, 2020—Two-year-olds bred in Ontario chase big money Wednesday at Ajax Downs in the $66,000 Ontario Bred Futurity on the 12th day of the Quarter Horse racing season.

The field of 10 is made up of the fastest qualifiers from two trials held August 5 and both heats featured photo finishes involving multiple juveniles.

Twixt Of Fate, owned by Richard Wincikaby of Englehart ON, won the fastest trial in his career debut despite a rather eventful run to the finish. The grey gelding, who was a 31 to 1 longshot, veered out late in the race and almost lost jockey Ed Walton in the process.

"We knew he had some talent and was doing everything well going into his first start," said trainer Michelle Woodley of Bolton. "We were happy with the way he stood in the gate and handled all the commotion. We like him a lot and hope that he has learned from his first start and will run a bit more professional and focused in the final."

Twixt Of Fate posted an 82 speed index in winning his Trial by a neck over Countryfried Chicken, who edged Whisky James and Kool Kastillo for second place.

Walton and Twixt Of Fate will start from post four in the 300-yard dash.

Memory Of Griffin, owned and bred by Erik and Joyce Lehtinen of Uxbridge, won his trial by a nose with a 76 speed index over a fast closing Had to Be Relentless, a half-brother to 2019 Horse of the Year Had to Be Ivory.

Ramiro Castillo will ride Memory of Griffin and they will start from post six.

The complete lineup, in post-position order including jockey assignments, trainer and morning-line odds:

  1. Goodness Graceious - B Bell - C McIntyre, 10/1
  2. Kool Kastillo - C Spataro - T D Dunlap, 6/1
  3. Kitsawinner - M Badal - P Garrison, 15/1
  4. Twixt Of Fate - E Walton - M Woodley, 3/1
  5. Countryfried Chicken - H M Vanek - J Pascoe, 7/2
  6. Memory Of Griffin - R S Castillo - E Lehtinen, 8/1
  7. Whisky James - C Jeschke - B Robertson, 4/1
  8. Had To Be Relentless - T Phillips - B Robertson, 8/1
  9. Sunday Quickie - L Desouza - B Wood, 10/1
  10. Bogie Wheels - I E Mosqueira - B Wood, 12/1

* * * * * * * * * * *

The August 26th afternoon of racing also includes a $14,000 allowance race for fillies and mares at 300 yards pitting stakes winners Shake It Twice and Shes Sizzling against Not Whistlin Dixie, who was recently second to champion Country Boy 123.

First race post time Wednesday is 12:55 p.m. (EDT). You can watch and wager on the entire Ajax Dows card of racing at www.hpibet.com and follow a livestream of the day of racing at ajaxdowns.com.

* * * * * * * * * * *

You can gets news updates on Ajax Downs by following @AjaxDowns on Twitter and Instagram and by visiting ajaxdowns.com.

To find out how you can buy your own Quarter Horse or a share in one, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at qrooi.com. Follow @Ajax Downs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more news and photos.