In one of the most exciting renewals of the $88,200
Picov Derby, part of a big, nine-race day at
Ajax Downs,
Had to Be Ivory would not be denied in the top race for 3-year-old Quarter Horses on Oct. 15.
The Ontario-bred, facing a super field of nine other sophomores including five from the powerful Jason Pascoe-trained stable, held off Carneros to win the 400-yard stakes race by a neck for his eighth career win in nine starts. Under jockey Tony Phillips, Had to Be Ivory sped the distance in :20.110 for a 96 Speed Index.
Had to Be Ivory was making just his fourth start in 2018 following his unbeaten juvenile campaign. He won the Ajax Bonus Derby in June and then finished second in his only meeting against two-time Horse of the Year Country Boy 123 in an August allowance race. He won his Picov Derby trial on Oct. 1 despite losing a show early in the race.
"He knows how to win but even now I think he's still learning," said Phillips. "He hasn't had many races this year but the few that he had he has done well. Even the Country Boy race he wasn't quite fit enough but they broke the track record that day."
Trainer Bryn Robertson said Had to Be Ivory was a bit more settled on Derby day.
"Last race in the Trial he come out a bit crooked and caught himself and cut his leg, pulled his shoe. He was sore for a couple of days. He still managed to win that day.
"He's been working really and today he was a gentleman. We were worried about the gate but he was good, ran great and we're just proud of him."
Had to Be Ivory, one of just two Ontario-breds in the field, is owned and was bred by Bryn's wife Carol and daughter-in-law Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh, ON. Bryn and Carol's son Mike is the blacksmith for the family's horse as well as outrider and Zac Kennedy groomed and ran the big gelding.
Had to Be Ivory is a son of Ivory James from the Robertson's stakes winner mare Had to Be Fandago by Hadtobenuts.
Milena Kwicien's Carneros, trained by Pascoe, completed his ultra-consistently good season with his runner-up finish. The Oklahoma-bred by Prospect to the Top was second to Had to Be Ivory in the Bonus Derby and has won four races from his nine starts in 2018.
Kwiecien's A J Chick in 15 finished third and the three-year-old filly was making her stakes debut.
Monday's racing card also included the final of the popular $3,500 Handicapping Championship, won this year by Carl Vickers who took home the $2,000 first-place prize.
Ajax Downs had a special guest on Monday as Durham News sports director Rob Snoek
, a three-time Paralympian, called his first horse race, race 2 at Ajax Downs and he nailed it.
Ajax Downs Oct 15 2018 Race 2.
Ajax Downs' 2018 season concludes next Monday, Oct. 22 with Customer Appreciation Day with prizes and much more. For race day selections and more on Quarter Horse Racing please visit
Ajax Downs Live Quarter Horse Racing - Ajax Ontario –
Courtesy of Ajax Downs
Photo of Had to Be Ivory’s Picov Derby win by Clive Cohen- New Image Media.
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