Fans formed a sea of red as they filled the Ajax Downs grandstand to the rafters on Canada's 152nd Birthday.
From a very popular track pony parade (fans voted on the 'best dressed outrider pony') to prizes, free t-shirts, cupcakes and a Canada Day party following the races, the track had a booming race day. Wagering of over $107,000 was up over 70 per cent from a year ago.
The Quarter Horses put on a show as well with many exciting races including FIESTY ICON'S late rush to win the $55,500 Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity over his arch-rival, the tough mare GHOST PINES.
"He's a pretty nice horse," said 56-year-old jockey Ed Walton who is from Dundalk, ON. "He broke pretty hard today so I just kept looking over for [Ghost Pines] to make sure she wasn't coming to get. I kept him busy but he did it so easily."
The Ontario-bred and sired 7-year-old Fiesty Icon was bred by Picov Cattle Company and is a son of Sugarman Perry.
Owned and trained by Rick Kennedy, Fiesty Icon, who won this very race in 2016, is now three for four in 2019 and a career winner of 16 races from 37 starts. His earnings now total over $280,000.
Ajax Downs' 50th Anniversary season continues to offer fans superb racing and events each Sunday through the summer (Monday's begin Sept. 9). The '10 Days of Winners Contest', offering fans a chance to win one of four $50 betting vouchers' highlights the upcoming July 7 card followed by the 50th Anniversary celebration day of racing July 14 which includes the first Wiener Dog Derby.
"To see how far Quarter Horse racing has come here in Ontario and to see the huge crowd today for Canada Day is really great,' said Walton.
For more, follow Ajax Downs on Twitter (@AjaxDowns), Instagram and Facebook or at www.ajaxdowns.com.
Photo by John Watkins
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