Innisfil's CORY SPATARO, on track for his best career year as a jockey, rode the winners of six races at
Ajax Downs on Sunday including Smoakn Gun, the fastest Trial winner for the upcoming Ontario Sires Stakes Derby for 3-year-olds.
Spataro, who had seven mounts on the nine-race card, won two races for trainer Greg Watson of Bethany, ON, two for trainer Tom Dunlap plus wins for Michelle Woodley and Barry Wood.
Spataro, who is 34 years-old, now has 29 wins to lead the jockey standings at Ajax Downs and is nearing his best year-end total of 34 recorded in 2013.
"I know all the horses had a chance but I didn't foresee this. I just rode them as best as I could and hoped for results," said Spataro. "It is a day I won't ever forget."
Spataro, who has also been a Thoroughbred jockey, is originally from Scarborough, ON and now owns and operates S & S Equestrian Training Centre with his wife Kim.
Smoakn Gun's narrow win in the
second trial of the OSS Derby in a time of :17.950 for 350 yards (a 90 speed index) puts him as one of the early favourites for the Derby final on Sept. 2.
Owned and bred by Stephanie Keeble of Oakwood, Smoakn Gun edged the filly Eleanorr, owned and trained by Scott Reid and ridden by Cassandra Jeschke, who was favoured.
The first OSS Derby Trial winner was the filly
Junoimzoomin, owned and bred by Christine Tavares and trained by Joe Tavares, who stopped the clock in :18.110 for an 85 speed index. The quick filly broke cleanly from the rail post and avoided plenty of traffic trouble experienced by other starters including heavily favoured Firing Red Jess who finished a fast-closing second.
The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the final.
Coming up is one of the biggest event days on the Ajax Downs calendar is next
Sunday, Aug. 19, which is Family Fun Day, in support of the Ajax Pickering Hospital, with activities for kids including crafts, 'Zoo to You', a chance to race on the Ajax Downs track, live music plus plenty of auction prizes for all ages.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and exciting Quarter Horse Racing begins at 12:55.
For more information please visit
www.ajaxdowns.com
(Photo of SMOAKN GUN and jockey Cory Spataro winning the fastest of two Trials for the Ontario Sires Stakes Derby by New Image Media)
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