"I just make sure when I go out there, we go through the motions, do everything the way he likes it," said Beland about his favourite horse.
AJAX DOWNS, SEPTEMBER 8 2026 - MY ROYAL SWINGER, one of the most exciting Quarter Horses in Canada in 2026, will be going for his sixth straight win when he takes on nine fellow 3-year-olds in the important NORMAN PICOV DERBY at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, September 9. The Norman Picov Derby, worth $59,670 at 400 yards, and the $61,380 ONTARIO SIRES STAKES FUTURITY for 2-year-olds at 330 yards, highlight a superb 10-race card that begins at 12:55 p.m.
My Royal Swinger gave young jockey Corry Beland his first win. They have won four times since then and are favourites for the Norman Picov Derby on a huge card at Ajax Downs on September 9 - New Image Media Photo
My Royal Swinger, purchased for just $4,500 (U.S.) in the fall of 2025 by owner and trainer Joe Tavares, has won all five of his races at Ajax Downs including the Unclassified Stakes and a Trial for the Derby on Aug. 19. The Indiana-bred gelding has been ridden in every local start by rookie rider Corry Beland, who got his first career winner aboard My Royal Swinger.
"I just make sure when I go out there, we go through the motions, do everything the way he likes it," said Beland about his favourite horse.
My Royal Swinger and Beland will be meeting some other top 3-year-olds for the first time in the Derby. COPILOT, who won the faster of the two Derby Trials, has won four of six starts this year for owner John Wilson, trainer Scott Reid and jockey Helen Vanek. And Ontario-sired and bred CHILLIN WITH PEEPS, winner of the Ontario Bred Derby in July, will try to get back on the winning track for owner and trainer Chantelle Bourgeois and jockey Cassandra Jeschke.
The Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity has a competitive field of nine including Trial winners COLD HARD CHIEF, owned by Katie Browne and trained by Jason Pascoe, and STOLEN IVORY S DASH, from Hillerin Farm and trainer Bryn Roberston. Cold Hard Chief is undefeated in two career races and Stolen Ivory S Dash was making his third career start when he broke his maiden in his Trial. Both juveniles drew the far outside with posts eight and nine.
For the first time in several years, Ajax Downs is offering a claiming race which would allow an owner or trainer to purchase a horse before a race. The third race on Wednesday is a maiden claiming event for $15,000 and has a field of five. Contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario for more information on how to qualify for claiming and other ways to become a Quarter Horse owner. The QROOI can be reached at (905) 426-7050.
Admission to Ajax Downs is always free. To read the latest news about racing at Ajax Downs, get the latest dates and events, or reserve a picnic table on one of our bigger days ($25), visit our website, www.ajaxdowns.com. You can watch and wager on Ajax Downs racing trackside and up close to the action or through www.HPIBet.com.
Source: Ajax Downs
