This is day two of the 2020 Ajax Downs season
AJAX DOWNS, SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2020 - Had to be Ivory, the 2019 Ontario Quarter Horse of the Year ending Country Boy 123's three-year reign, returns to racing this Wednesday, June 17 at Ajax Downs.
The imposing 5-year-old gelding will face five rivals in the featured sixth race on a seven-race card at 300 yards and will start from the rail post under regular rider Tony Phillips.
This is day two of the 2020 Ajax Downs season and for now, racing is held without spectators. Racing fans can watch and wager on Ajax Downs through the Horseplayer Interactive simulcast wagering platform (www.hpibet.com) and watch a live stream on the track's website.
With his rival Country Boy 123 in Indiana for the next few weeks for two races including the $50,000 (US) Bradford Stakes at Indiana Downs, Had to be Ivory will be favoured Wednesday, his prep for the Picov Maturity on Canada Day, July 1.
Owned by Carol and Jaime Robertson and trained by Bryn Robertson, Had to be Ivory was also honoured as Canadian-bred Champion by the American Quarter Horse Association at its annual awards night earlier this year.
The Ontario-bred has won 11 of 14 career races and over $162,000.
His competition Wednesday includes track record setter Carneros, the High Point Sprint Series runner of 2019, Spy for the Senate and Shes Sizzling, two of last year's top 3-year-olds plus hard knocking Countrys Comin Bac and the filly Jess a Sweet Surprize.
Also returning on Wednesday is the Robert's EAZY STREET, undefeated in four races as a 2-year-old last year and the season's Champion juvenile colt. Eazy Street tackles seven tough, older rivals in race 7. Post time for the first race Wednesday is 12:55 p.m.
Keep updated on news and handicapping at the Ajax Downs website and get a free program each racing day. Also, follow us on Instagram and Twitter (@AjaxDowns) and on Facebook.
To find out more about the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario's First Line Racing Syndicate and how to buy your own share in a Quarter Horse, visit www/qrooi.com.
UPDATE:
Horse of the Year Had to Be Ivory Draws #1 Post for Return
AJAX DOWNS, TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2020 - Wednesday June 17, 2020 is the second day of AJAX DOWNS' 2020 Quarter Horse season and some of the big stars will be in action on the seven-race card. Go here for a free POCKET PROGRAM with racing analysis! https://ajaxdowns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AD-final-pocket-06-17-2020.pdf
Had to be Ivory was the 2019 Horse of the Year and he makes his first start of the season in race 6, a 300-yard allowance race that will serve as a stepping stone for the $25,000 Picov Maturity on Canada Day, July 1.
His arch rival, three-time Horse of the Year COUNTRY BOY 123 is in Indiana Wednesday evening for a 400-yard race that is a prep for the $50,000 Bradford Stakes at Indiana Grand on July 6. Country Boy 123's race goes off at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The champion 2-year-old colt in Ontario of 2019, EAZY STREET is also returning to action Wednesday, putting his unbeaten record on the line. The now-3-year-old is 4 for 4 and meets some tough older horses in race 7.
While spectators are not permitted yet at Ajax Downs, watching and wagering on the races is easy. Sign up for an account at http://www.hpibet.com and play along! You can also watch the races at http://www.ajaxdowns.com.
Tune in at 12:15 to TALKING QUARTERS for tips and replays and throughout the day as we pick out the horses who look ready to win!
Ontario Racing Press Release - June 17th, 2020