"When he got to the gate he got all excited," said Botello. "He stayed focused, broke in front and did everything good."
Ajax Downs, October 13 2026 - Snow Moose had a bit of unfinished business.
The almost-white 6-year-old Ontario bred gelding, the 2023 Horse of the Year, was missing Ajax Downs' most famous race on his resume, the $49,950 Alex Picov Championship. Actually, Milena Kwiecien's homebred won the 2023 edition of the Championship only to be disqualified for interference.
On a sunny Thanksgiving Monday, Snow Moose got his Championship win with an eye-catching move early in the 440-yard race to hold off favoured Peighntmeadiamond for the win.
Snow Moose dashed to victory in the 53rd Alex Picov Memorial Championship at Ajax Downs on Oct. 12 - New Image Media Photo
Starting from post 10 in one of the strongest fields for the Championship in years, Snow Moose, trained by Jason Pascoe and ridden by JB Botello had a prompt start and cleared his inside rivals, including Peighntmeadiamond, ridden by Brian Bell.
The grey son of Seperate Interest - Favorite Pearl drifted in several paths but maintained an advantage over his rivals. Peighntmeadiamond came charging late in the 440-yard race but Snow Moose, the public's second choice at 3 to 1, held on to win by half a length. Peighntmeadiamond, who had won all five of his starts in 2026 including two stakes races, was second by three quarters of a length over 25 to 1 longshot Copilot, the lone 3-year-old in the field.
The time for the race was 21.705 for a 93 speed index.
"When he got to the gate he got all excited," said Botello. "He stayed focused, broke in front and did everything good."
Chillin With Peeps freezes her foes in the OSS Derby.
A winner once in 2025, Snow Moose started off 2026 with mixed results before he went to Sandy Ride Racetrack in Kentucky for a race in September. He finished fifth but won two straight upon his return to his home track.
"I had a good feeling about him today, " said Pascoe. "He was really quiet in the barn and paddock and that is how he acts when he is focused."
Kwiecien said, "I am so proud of him" and noted the gelding may begin a new career as an eventer in 2027. He has a career record of 13 wins from 33 and earnings of over $236,000.
Earlier in the day, Chantelle Bourgeois's CHILLIN WITH PEEPS staked her claim for 2026 Horse of the Year with a determined win in the $59,850 Ontario Sires Stakes Derby at 350-yards.
The brawny 3-year-old filly, with Cassandra Jeschke riding, had a slight stumble at the start but collected herself and drove on to a half length win as the heavy 2 to 5 favourite over 12 to 1 shot Agent Ice, owned by Amelie Aubut. Marie Broadstock's Alabama Mooonshine was a nose back in third. The time for the race was a sharp 17.935 for a 93 speed index.
Chillin With Peeps is a daughter of the Ontario stallion Rushago from Bourgeois's mare Shake It Twice. A winner of the important Norman Picov Derby over the boys earlier this year, Chillin With Peeps also won the Ontario bred Derby this season, boosting her career to six wins in nine starts and over $123,000 in earnings.
"It's hard to put into words," said Bourgeois. "I have never had a horse win three stakes in a year. She is so very special."
Turkey Race
The final day of Ajax Downs' 2026 Quarter Horse season is Wednesday OCTOBER 21, featuring the final of the prestigious Alex Picov Futurity for 2-year-olds. First race post time is 12:55 p.m.
For more information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario about the First Line Racing Syndicate at (905) 426-7050.
To read the latest news about racing at Ajax Downs, and stay in touch with the exciting events and handicapping contests held in our simulcast room throughout the winter, visit our website at www.ajaxdowns.com or follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram, @Ajaxdowns.
Video replays and interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G35OTt_vFY&t=145s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYZo3FcIDUQ
Source: Ajax Downs