Race four on Wednesday has been named in honor of the late Ken Richards, who played an integral part in the sport of QH Racing in Ontario for over 55 years.

© New Image Media

By Jennifer Morrison

AJAX, ONT–JULY 28, 2026–The first 2-year-old stakes race of the 2026 Ajax Downs season headlines an exciting eight-race card this Wednesday, July 29. A field of eight juvenile Quarter Horses has been entered in the $59,985 Ontario Bred Futurity at 300 yards, the sixth race of the afternoon.

Race four on Wednesday has been named in honor of the late Ken Richards, who was part of the original group of horse people that held Quarter Horse meets at the old Picov Downs.

An integral part of the sport in Ontario for over 55 years, Ken, along with his wife Lucy, also owned Standardbreds and Quarter Horses. Ken was part of the operations management team at Ajax Downs into his 90s. He passed away in March of this year at the age of 96.

Carol and Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh, Ontario have a strong pairing for the Futurity with the filly Had To Be Valiant and the gelding Stolen Ivory S Dash.

Trained by Bryn Robertson, Had to Be Valiant won her career debut on July 8 in a professional manner, breaking smartly from the rail post and leading throughout to win by a length. The One Valiant Hero filly is the first foal of her multiple-winning mare Five Bar Fandango, a half-sister to champions Had to Be Ivory and Had to Be Fabulous.

Ismael Mosquiera will ride Had to Be Valiant.

Closing fast behind Had to Be Valiant was her stablemate Stolen Ivory S Dash, purchased by the Robertsons from breeder Guylaine Paquin. The son of Ontario stallion Cold Hard Dash was gaining quickly on the filly and finished second with Jose Cruz riding.

Earl Foster's Baref Hurricane Rush and jockey Corry Beland finished third to the Robertson pair in her debut despite stumbling at the start.

First race post time on Wednesday is 3:30 p.m.

For more information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario about the First Line Racing Syndicate at (905) 426-7050.

To read the latest news about racing at Ajax Downs, get the latest dates and events, or reserve a picnic table on one of our bigger days ($25), visit our website, www.ajaxdowns.com. You can watch and wager on Ajax Downs racing at the track or through www.HPIBet.com.

Field for the $59,985 Ontario Bred Futurity
Race 6, 300 yards, 2-year-olds, bred in Ontario

     Post Horse                           Jockey       Trainer     Odds

1. HAD TO BE VALIANT I. Mosquiera B. Robertson 3-2
2. IMABLAZINRUSH B. Bell A. Archibald 6-1
3. EYES OF FATE A. Sanchez R. Kennedy 4-1
4. SNOWY GOOSE J. Medina J. Pascoe 8-1
5. OSCAR THE GROUCH C. Benitez J. Pascoe 7-2
6. STELLAAA R.Castillo b. Broadstock 10-1
7. BAREF HURRICANE RUSH C. Beland C. Illman 3-1
8. 8. STOLEN IVORY S DASH J. Cruz B. Robertson 2-1

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