Copilot was the 7 to 5 second favourite and he defeated Joe Tavares' Open a New Corona.
AJAX DOWNS MAY 21, 2026 - With jockey Diego Benitez at the controls, COPILOT jetted to victory in Wednesday's QROOI Open Derby for 3-year-olds at Ajax Downs, the first stakes race of the 2026 Quarter Horse season.
After a flawless break from the gate, Copilot took off to a clear lead and defeated his seven rivals by 1 1/4 lengths, speeding the 300 yards in 15.842 for a solid 84 speed index. Owned by John Wilson of New Liskeard, ON and trained by Scott Reid of Ashburn, Copilot was the 7 to 5 second favourite and he defeated Joe Tavares' Open a New Corona, who had edged Copilot in one of the Derby Trials on May 6. Favoured Lights Dynasty, winner of the fastest of three Trials, finished third.
Purchased for $9,000 from last fall's Heritage Place Fall Mixed sale in Oklahoma, Copilot is a compact son of Paint My Pilot and he was bred in Oklahoma by Double A Ranch.
Copilot and Diego Benitez - New Image Media photo
"There was so much I liked about him, I could go on and on," said Reid, who has enjoyed considerable success buying horses to race at Ajax Downs. "The biggest thing though was his presence. He walked around [the sales ring] like he owned the place."
With over 700 horses in the sale, Reid and partner Jessica Pascoe combed through the catalogue selecting horses they wanted to bid on. They also bought Lil Mz Win for Wilson for $6,000 and she went on to win one of the Derby Trials.
"There is a lot of legwork that goes into [shopping for horses at a sale]. Jess has a great eye for a horse so that made my job easier."
Copilot, who began his career at Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma, has won two of four starts.
Jockey J.B. BOTELLO had his second three-bagger of the young season and now has 6 wins after three racing days, one ahead of Cristian Benitez.
GENERAL SKYWALKER won the Battle of the Breeds dash at 770 yards over Fort Erie-based Quarter Horse Bodhi and Thoroughbred Sea to Air. It was the second 'hook' race victory for Marie Broadstock's Ontario bred gelding who was ridden by Ramiro Castillo and trained by Bob Broadstock, General Skywalker upped the BOTB score to 9 wins to 4 in favour of the Quarter Horses.
Racing continues at Ajax Downs next Wednesday, May 27 with a first race post time of 3:30. Free admission, trackside tables and the popular Hot Dogs & More outdoor barbecue are just some of the features at the Quarter Horse track.
Visit www.ajaxdowns.com for news on upcoming events, racing news and a free pocket program.
Replay of the QROOI Open Derby - Ajax Downs: May 20, 2026 - Race 6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEi7xAEzsco&t=43s
Source: Ajax Downs
