Ajax Downs

And Thank you !!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FAMILY FUN DAY SPONSORS!

We truly could not make this special day happen without your incredible generosity and support.

Your partnership is helping Ajax Downs support Ajax Pickering Hospital and Operation I.C.U., with funds raised going toward important equipment and improvements that will help strengthen critical care in our community.

We are so grateful to every sponsor who has stepped forward to support this meaningful cause. Your generosity has helped make Family Fun Day possible and has given us the opportunity to bring our community together for something that truly matters.

Now it is up to our amazing community to come out, join in the fun and help us make an even greater impact.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR HELPING US GET THIS FAR — NOW LET’S COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Sunday, August 30
10:00 A.M. SHARP!
Ajax Downs

Come out, bring the family, enjoy the day and help us support Ajax Pickering Hospital.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE SUNDAY!

Family Fun Day tomorrow Sunday August 30 at Ajax Downs . Doors open at 10:00am - First 1000 kids get a goodie bag , Be there to see Lexy the Rap Dad , Try the track , Zoo to you and so much more . Live quarter horse racing starts @12:55 ! Free admission, free parking and free family fun ! Thank you to all our community sponsors .

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR FAMILY FUN DAY SPONSORS!

We truly could not make this special day happen without your incredible generosity and support.

Your partnership is helping Ajax Downs support Ajax Pickering Hospital and Operation I.C.U., with funds raised going toward important equipment and improvements that will help strengthen critical care in our community.

We are so grateful to every sponsor who has stepped forward to support this meaningful cause. Your generosity has helped make Family Fun Day possible and has given us the opportunity to bring our community together for something that truly matters.

Now it is up to our amazing community to come out, join in the fun and help us make an even greater impact.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR HELPING US GET THIS FAR — NOW LET’S COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Sunday, August 30
10:00 A.M. SHARP!
Ajax Downs

Come out, bring the family, enjoy the day and help us support Ajax Pickering Hospital.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE SUNDAY!

JOIN US AT AJAX DOWNS SUNDAY AUGUST 30TH -FAMILY FUN DAY PLUS LIVE QUARTER HORSE RACING -EVENT BEGINS AT 10:00 A.M.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN
ALL DONATIONS IN SUPPORT OF Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation

Its our 16th Annual Family Fun day at Ajax Downs Sunday August 30th

PRESS RELEASE
Copilot, My Royal Wagon Trial Wins Set Stage For Picov Derby Final

My Royal Sw***er will head into the $50,000-added Picov Derby final on Sept. 9 unbeaten in five races this year.
AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 20, 2026 - Following this week's two competitive Trial dashes for the NORMAN PICOV DERBY at Ajax Downs, the $50,000-added final for the prestigious 3-year-old race, scheduled for September 9, is set to be a memorable one.
The Derby Trials, plus two Trials for the $60,000-added Ontario Sires Futurity, made for a great day of racing on August 19, the last twilight program of 2026. Racing returns to a 12:55 post time schedule for the remainder of the season.
John Wilson's COPILOT won the slightly quicker of the 400-yard Derby Trials at Ajax Downs for his fourth win this season, defeating Princess Derby winner OPEN A NEW CORONA and Ontario Bred Derby winner CHILLIN WITH PEEPS a closing third.
Copilot, trained by Scott Reid and ridden by Helen Vanek, led from start to finish and won by a length in 20.335 for a 90 speed index. The son of Paint Your Pilot was purchased by Wilson, a resident of New Liskeard, for $9,000 last fall at the Heritage Mixed Sale in Oklahoma.
The second Trial was won by MY ROYAL SW***ER, who is now undefeated in 5 races this year and is tied for the winningest horse in North America in 2026. Owned and trained by Joe Tavares, My Royal Sw***er, with a motionless Corry Beland riding, edged Ontario-breds AGENT ICE, SUIT UP and JERONEMO, stopping the clock in 20.491 for an 88 speed index.
The 10 fastest times from the two Trials advance to the Final.
The Trials for the $50,000-added Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity for 2-year-olds saw a few late scratches, so all starters advance to the Sept. 9 final. The fastest Trial winner was STOLEN IVORY S DASH, who broke his maiden in the 330-yard race for Carol and Jaime Robertson and trainer Bryn Robertson. The flashy gelding raced the distance in 17.353 for an 84 speed index. Ismael Mosqueira rode the winner.

Katie Browne's COLD HARD CHIEF sped away to victory in the second Futurity Trial in a time of 17.424 for an 82 speed index. The brown gelding is undefeated in two starts for trainer Jason Pascoe and Ajax Downs' leading rider Cristian Benitez.
*Our next racing day is SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, Ajax Downs' popular FAMILY FUN DAY, a fun-filled day for the whole family in support of Lakeridge Health / Ajax Pickering Hospital! Live Quarter Horse racing, kids' games, loot bags, face painting, Zoo To You, and more. First race post time is 12:55 p.m.
Photo Credit: New Image Media

Family Fun Day is almost here!

We’re getting ready for an amazing day at Ajax Downs on Sunday, August 30, and we truly couldn’t do it without the incredible support of our sponsors! ❤️

Their generosity helps us bring our community together for a fun-filled day for families, and we are so grateful to have them be part of this special event.

A huge THANK YOU to all of our Family Fun Day sponsors! Your support means so much to us and helps make this day possible.

We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone on August 30!

How can we not talk about this race !!
Race 6 — 12th Princess Derby
Open A New Corona Battles to First Stakes Victory!

Princess Derby | 3-Year-Old Fillies | 350 yards | Purse $51,525

The 12th running of the Princess Derby delivered a thrilling finish at Ajax Downs, with #3 OPEN A NEW CORONA showing plenty of heart to capture her first career stakes victory!

With Brian Bell aboard, Open A New Corona broke sharply from post three and quickly put herself in a perfect position. But the race was far from over.

#5 Alabama Mooonshine, ridden by replacement jockey Corry Beland, stayed right with the leader and applied pressure all the way to the finish. The two fillies battled stride for stride, but Open A New Corona dug in gamely and refused to give up the lead.

At the wire, Open A New Corona prevailed by a head, stopping the clock in 17.986 and earning a 92 Speed Index.

And bettors who backed her were rewarded with a great price!

Open A New Corona paid $14.00 to win, $5.60 to place and $2.90 to show.

Alabama Mooonshine gave her supporters a big return as well, paying $17.70 to place after finishing a courageous second in 18.002, SI 92.

#9 Working Class Hero, with Alexis Sanchez aboard, came flying late from well back in the field, closing strongly on the outside to grab third in 18.228, SI 86.

The exotic payouts were even more impressive:

$1 Exactor 3-5 — $89.55
20¢ Triactor 3-5-9 — $126.54
20¢ Superfecta 3-5-9-1 — an incredible $1,416.04!

For owner and trainer Joe Tavares, the victory marked an important milestone for Open A New Corona. The Louisiana-bred daughter of Open Me A Corona, bred by Brian Gunder, earned $14,658 for the win.

The victory improved her record to three wins and two seconds from seven starts, while boosting her career earnings to $27,629.

A head-bobbing finish, a first stakes victory and some fantastic payouts made the 12th Princess Derby one of the biggest highlights of the afternoon at Ajax Downs!

Congratulations to Open A New Corona, Brian Bell, Joe Tavares and the entire winning team!

Photo credit :New Image Media