Lights Dynasty Leads Tavares Army in Ajax Downs' First Stakes Race of 2026

© New Image Media

By Jennnifer Morrison

AJAX, ON–MAY 19, 2026– When Joe Tavares, one of Ajax Downs' most successful trainers, went shopping for racehorses the past two winters it would have been hard to predict that four of those purchases would be in the first stakes race of the 2026 season. The $32,805 QROOI OPEN DERBY on Wednesday, May 20 features an evenly matched field of 10 three-year-olds including three Trial winners, two of which are owned by Tavares.

The Open Derby is a 300-yard dash and it is the sixth race on Wednesday's card that also includes another edition of the Battle of the Breeds, pitting Thoroughbreds versus Quarter Horses.

LIGHTS DYNASTY, bought by Tavares for $13,000 from an Oklahoma mixed sale last year, has been installed the 3 to 1 morning line favourite for the Open Derby final based on his impressive Trial win when he clocked the fastest time of the three Trials, 15.92. The son of The Marfa Lights, won one of two starts last season. Cristian Benitez is the rider and the pair start from post position 8.

OPEN A NEW CORONA, a Louisiana bred filly owned by Tavares, was a narrow winner of her Trial, edging heavily favoured Copilot by a nose in her first race since last June. Open a New Corona's time was 15.94 for an 81 speed index. J.B. Botello has the mount from post one. Copilot and jockey Diego Benitez drew post three.

The third Trial winner was John Wilson's LIL MZ WIN who won easily under jockey Helen Vanek for trainer Scott Reid in 16.01 for a 79 speed index. Lil Mz Win, an Indiana-bred, will break from post 9.

Admission to Ajax Downs is always free and you can watch and wager on the races from trackside tables or at www.HPIBet.com.

Be sure to visit www.ajaxdowns.com for the racing schedule and list of events.

Ajax Downs is hosting the iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride on July 19 following the afternoon races. Attending racing and the Musical Ride requires a ticket which you order through our website.

$32,805 QROOI OPEN DERBY; Race 6, Ajax Downs, May 20
300 yards, post time 5:35 p.m.

Post Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1. OPEN A NEW CORONA J.B. Botello J. Tavares 7-2
2. ESPECIALLY TEMPTING I. Mosqueira S. Reid 6-1
3. COPILOT D. Benitez S. Reid 4-1
4. THIRTY OUGHT SIX C. Benitez J. Pascoe 10-1
5. ASPEN T C. Jeschke J. Tavares 8-1
6. MI REINA JANETTE T. Phillips J. McMahon 15-1
7. LIL PHYLER J. Medina J. Pascoe 10-1
8. LIGHTS DYNASTY C. Benitez J. Tavares 3-1
9. LIL MZ WIN H. Vanek S. Reid 8-1
10. ARICHE J. Cruz J. Tavares 12-1

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