"Her start was a little slow, but she jumped up great after that," said Beland, who only started riding races this spring. "Once she got going, she just kept running."
AJAX DOWNS, OCTOBER 22 2026 - The last day of the Ajax Downs Quarter Horse season has traditionally been good to owner Earl Foster and none were better than October 21 when his filly BAREF HURRICANE RUSH won the $59,805 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity on closing day for 2026.
Trained by Corey Illman of Paris, Ontario, Baref Hurricane Rush stumbled slightly at the start of the 400 yard race for 2-year-olds but quickly gathered her stride under jockey Corry Beland. The Ontario sired and bred youngster engaged another filly, Bnb Jessagoldheart for the early lead before edging away for a three-quarter length win as the 7 to 2 second choice. Her time of 20.619 was good for an 83 speed index.
Baref Hurricane Rush and jockey Corry Beland Speed Away With Futurity - New Image Media photo
Bnb Jessagoldheart, owned and trained by Joe Tavares, finished second with 34 to 1 longshot Stellaaaa a neck back in third. Futurity favourite Had to Be Valiant, previously unbeaten in four starts, finished fourth.
The Futurity win was the second victory for Baref Hurricane Rush, who dead-heated for the win with Imperial Miracle in one of two Trials for the race.
"Her start was a little slow, but she jumped up great after that," said Beland, who only started riding races this spring. "Once she got going, she just kept running."
Baref Hurricane Rush provided the biggest win for owner Foster and his wife Jan, as well as Illman. The Fosters, who have a cattle operation in Alvinston, ON, have raced a small stable for about 10 years and recently took over ownership, with Illman, of the Ontario stallion Rushago who was owned by the late Al Hudgins. Rushago, the sire of Baref Hurrican Rush, is also the sire of Horse of the Year candidate Chillin With Peeps.
"This filly is pretty tough and I always have good luck on the last day of racing," said Foster. "Our friend Al had the dream [with Rushago] and we're just making it come true."
Illman, only in this third full year of training, and his wife Holly, own Pine Haven Farm. "We are over the moon," said Holly. "We thought she had a chance, but you never know with 2-year-olds."
Stay tuned for a recap of the record-breaking Ajax Downs season and a report on all the divisional leaders for 2026.
Ajax Downs is open every day throughout the winter months for simulcasting and there are plenty of added events and handicapping contests. The first big simulcasting event will be the Breeders' Cup World Championship races from Keeneland racecourse in Kentucky on October 30 and 31.
To keep up to date on events and the return of racing for 2027 plus the latest news from Ajax Downs, and stay in visit our website at www.ajaxdowns.com or follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram, @Ajaxdowns.
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.
VIDEO REPLAY - ALEX PICOV MEMORIAL FUTURITY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCDX60jsIKg
Source: Ajax Downs