(PHOTO - The 2-year-old filly DENALI TELLER OFF and her excited jockey Ramiro Sanchez Castillo brush off the boys in the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity- New Image Media photo)
Denali Teller Off, one of the longest shots in the field, stuck her neck out in time to win the $119,150 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, the richest race for Quarter Horses in Canada in front of a large crowd at Ajax Downs on the Thanksgiving holiday Monday.
Purchased for just $4,500 (US) at auction earlier this year by Burlington’s Milena Kwiecien, Denali Teller Off broke sharply from post position two in the 10-horse field and had a short lead before she was challenged by the gelding Hickerson to her inside. Denali Teller Off, under jockey Ramiro Sanchez Castillo, put that rival away to win the $41,660 (CDN) winner’s share. The winner’s time of :20.340 was good for a career best 89 speed index.
Hickerson, owned by Richard Wincikaby and DK Training Centre finished second with One Special Domino, owned by Erik and Joyce Lehtinen was third. The 4 to 5 favourite Home to Vegas was bumped hard at the start and lost rider Tony Philips. Home to Vegas was fine after the race and Phillips was reported to be stiff and sore after being released from hospital.
Kwiecien, who also owns Rpainted Pistol, one of the best 2-year-old colts on the grounds was a bit surprised at the result.
“Jason told me few weeks ago that some people were worried that ‘Pistol’ would be running [in this race] but he said it's Denali that would be tough to beat at 400 yards,” said Kwiecien. “He knew there was a lot of talent in the filly… but I was still in a bit of a shock.”
A winner of one of the three trials on Sept. 19, Denali Teller Off is a daughter of Louisiana Senator – Eye Like Beduino by Mr. Eye Opener. The brown filly has won three of six starts and earned $57,059.
(story continued below photo) (Photo - ONE FAMOUS GLASS edged Fiesty Icon in the battle of former Horse of the Year champions in the Alex Picov Maturity - New image Media Photo)
Earlier in the afternoon, two Horse of the Years battled to the wire in a thrilling finish to the $100,700 Alex Picov Maturity. One Famous Glass, the 2013 Champion won by the smallest of noses over last year’s champion Fiesty Icon. It was a neck back to 3 to 5 favourite First Down the Track.
One Famous Glass, ridden by Tony Phillips, was winning for the second time in 2016 and taking his first stakes victory since he won the All Canadian Derby in 2013. The son of One Famous Eagle – Quick Glass by Royal Quick Dash is owned by Carol and Jaime Robertson and Dr. Charles Hall and trained by Bryn Robertson.
“We’re so proud of him,” said Bryn Robertson, owner of Hillerin Farm in HIllsburgh, ON. “He always tries and he is so honest.”
One Famous Glass has won 14 of 31 races and earned over $275,000.
In an interesting twist, both Pascoe and Robertson have sent horses to the championship racing day at Los Alamitos coming up on Oct. 29. Pascoe has sent Rpainted Pistol for the John Deere final worth $150,000 (US) and Robertson has sent Dr. Ruth Barbour's Country Boy 123, who will be under the care of Pascoe, for the $200,000 Adequan Derby final.
Wagering on the 11-race holiday card at Ajax was brisk, as over $71,000 was bet from all sources. Racing continues on Monday, October 17 with a post time of 12:55.
Below is the official win photo of the Maturity:
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