"She left so good, and she wasn't giving it up," said Jeschke.
AJAX DOWNS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 - It has been a start-and-stop season for Chantelle Bourgeois's talented Ontario-bred filly CHILLIN WITH PEEPS, but there may be no stopping her now as she overcame a recent illness to win the important NORMAN PICOV DERBY over American bred colts and fillies on September 9. The $59,670 Picov Derby at 400 yards was one of two stakes finals, along with the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity, on a 10-race card at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, held on a drizzly afternoon.
Ontario-sired and bred CHILLIN WITH PEEPS beats American bred colts and fillies in the prestigious NORMAN PICOV DERBY at Ajax Downs on September 9 - New Image Media Photo
Sent off as the 9 to 2 second choice behind impressive Trial winner Copilot, Chillin With Peeps was all business from the moment she went into the gate. With her regular rider Cassandra Jeschke allowing the filly to find her stride, Chillin With Peeps had a short lead throughout the race before three Joe Tavares-trained horses came charging late.
"She left so good, and she wasn't giving it up," said Jeschke. "I wasn't sure at the end because I saw Brian [aboard Princess Derby winner Open a New Corona] in my peripheral [vision], but it didn't matter if she was first or second; she ran her eyeballs out."
She did win, by a neck in 20.250 for a 92 speed index. It was Chillin With Peeps fifth win in her eighth start and she has earned over $94,000.
Chillin With Peeps, by Ontario stallion Rushago announced her talent last fall when she beat the boys in the rich Alex Picov Futurity. Her 3-year-old campaign was delayed when Bourgeois and her family were rocked by the sudden passing of Chillin With Peeps' stakes-winning dam, Shake It Twice. Once Chillin With Peeps returned to racing, she won the Ontario Bred Derby and romped in a Trial for the Princess Derby.
STOLEN IVORY S DASH zooms to a two-length win in the Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity - New Image Media Photo
However, in the Princess Derby final, Chillin With Peeps was uncharacteristically fractious in the gate and she emerged from the race with a temperature.
"We had to regroup in multiple areas," said Bourgeois, who trains her horses on her farm in Eniskillen. "She was quite sick after the Princess Derby. Thanks to my vets, we got her back in the Picov Derby Trials. She has been giving us all the confidence all week."
Tavares runners Open a New Corona, My Royal Swinger and Ariche finished a close second, third and fourth.
'Dash's' Futurity Win Made It Five for Mosqueira
The flashy 2-year-old gelding STOLEN IVORY S DASH, owned by Carol and Jaime Robertson and ridden by Ismael Mosqueira for trainer Bryn Robertson, snuck away to a big win in the $61,380 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity at 330 yards earlier on the card. Bet down as the 2 to 5 favourite off a strong Trial victory on Aug. 19, Stolen Ivory S Dash flew to a two-length win in 17.123 for a 91 speed index. The son of Cold Has Dash was bred by Guylaine Paquin, and he collected $24,800 for the victory.
The Futurity was the fifth win from five mounts on the afternoon for Mosqueira, who went into Wednesday's card tied for leading jockey at 16 wins with Cristian Benitez. "It just lined up that way today," said Mosqueira, who had five winners once before, during the 2025 season. "I'm just thankful and blessed."
Mi Reina Janette with her owner and trainer Jennelle McMahon (far right) won the Mayor's Cup, presented by the Town of Ajax. Deputy Mayor Sterling Lee (fourth from left) added $1,500 to the purse.
The annual Mayor's Cup, presented by the Town of Ajax, was race three on Wednesday and was won by MI REINA JANETTE, owned and trained by Jennelle McMahon of Fort Erie. Ajax's Deputy Mayor Sterling Lee and regional councillors Marilyn Crawford and Rob Tyler-Morin, presented race 3 with an added $1,500 for the purse.
Racing returns to Ajax Downs next Wednesday, September 16, with a first race post time of 12:55. The track's comfortable simulcast room is open each day showing tracks from all over the world.
Source: Ajax Downs
