Had To be Ivory Returns to Action.
AJAX DOWNS, MAY 12, 2026 - Fans coming out to Ajax Downs for the second day of the 2026 Quarter Horse meeting are in for a treat as Canada's most decorated Quarter Horse, HAD TO BE IVORY, returns to action in the featured Gridiron Gallop. The two-time Horse of the Year holds the track record for the Gridiron's 110-yard distance of 6.761 seconds and comes off another spectacular season in which he won all four of his starts.
The Gridiron Gallop's five starters have won a total of 78 races and earned over $1.1 million. The race is the fourth of seven on Wednesday, which has a first post time of 3:30 p.m.
The richest Canadian bred Quarter Horse in history, Had to Be Ivory, returns to action May 13 - New Image Media photo
Had to Be Ivory, an Ontario bred by Ivory James from the great mare Had to Be Fandango, is an 11-year-old who has won 33 of 43 races and over $531,000 for owners and breeders Carol and Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh. He has won the first start of all but one of his nine racing seasons beginning in 2017. The big bay gelding with the white blaze has also won all four of his attempts at the 110-yard distance. Ismael Mosqueira is named to ride for trainer Bryn Robertson.
Among his familiar rivals on Wednesday is SPY FOR THE SENATE, a 23-time winner in his career who won the last three of his starts in 2025. Owned by Milena Kwiecien, of Burlington, and trained by Jason Pascoe, Spy for the Senate also loves the Gridiron distance and he will be ridden by JB Botello, who rode three winners on opening day of the season.
Kwiecien is also starting her 2023 Horse of the Year SNOW MOOSE in the Gridiron Gallop and it will be the first start for the light grey gelding since August when he won at the 110-yard distance. A 10-time winner, Snow Moose will be ridden by Cristian Benitez. The fleet BODHI, who won three of his four starts last season for Nick Mileni, Jr. and jockey Helen Vanek, and lightly raced winner SHADOW OF THE KNIGHT complete the field.
Trackside picnic tables bring the horses close up to fans, and admission is always free. If you would like to reserve a certain table, you can do so for $25. Contact the track by visiting www.ajaxdowns.com where you can also get a free pocket program, event schedules and racing news. Ajax Downs shows a livestream on its YouTube channel, and you can also watch and wager through www.HPIBet.com.
Ajax Downs is pleased to present the iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride on Sunday July 19, following the afternoon race card. The day is a ticketed event in support of the United Way. For more information, go to www.ajaxdowns.com/rcmp-2026/.
Source: Ajax Downs
