The wife and husband team of Carol and Bryn Robertson with their son Mike and their 2-year-old filly Had To Be Fabulous (Josh Scott up).

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

AJAX, ONT–JUNE 10, 2024– One of the best things about summertime racing at Ajax Downs is seeing the stars of the future, the new crop of 2-year-old Quarter Horses.

This Wednesday, June 12, some of these fresh faces will compete in the first baby stakes race of the season, the $31,050 Bonus Futurity at 250 yards.

The sixth day of the 2024 Ajax Downs season is also spiced up by two Trials for the $55,000-added Ontario Bred Derby for 3-year-olds. The seven-race card begins with a first race post time of 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday is one of two racing days this week for the Quarter Horses. Sunday is the popular Father's Day card complete with prizes, giveaways, and great racing beginning at 12:55 p.m.

Unsurprisingly, the early favorite for the Bonus Futurity is the filly Had To Be Fabulous since the half-sister to champion Had to Be Ivory won her first career race on May 29 with style.

Carol and Jaime Robertson's youngster is the last foal of the family's prized mare Had To Be Fandango, who passed away last year. Josh Scott is back to ride the One Fabulous Eagle filly Had To Be Fabulous, who has the outside post in a competitive field of seven on Wednesday.

The two juveniles behind Had to Be Fabulous in her debut can improve off their first races. Firing Red Lucy finished second that day and Carly Furlonger will ride her from post position two. 

Bobbi's Magic Beans, a flashy colt who starts from the rail post, finished a closing third to Had to Be Fabulous on May 29 and is the first racehorse for Jennifer Deveaux of Georgetown, who also bred the son of Ontario stallion Maryland Magic.

Jason Pascoe trains Bobbi's Magic Beans, who will be ridden by 2023 leading jockey Brian Bell.

George Coleman's Sugar N Pride and jockey Rachael Isaacs are top contenders in the first of two Trials for the Ontario Bred Derby, which will have its final on July 3. A stakes winner last year as a 2-year-old Sugar N Pride comes off a troubled fifth-place finish in the QROOI Open Derby.

The second Trial marks the return of 2023 Alex Picov Futurity winner Hawkin The Straw for Erik and Joyce Lehtinen. He will meet a strong field, including the streaking Storminn Norman, named for the late Norman Picov.

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Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the races trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com. Do you have a group or company event? Call ahead to reserve the trackside VIP room to enjoy food, drink, and mutuals. Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905 - 426-7050 for details.

Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com for news, track programs and more information