The 3-year-old filly ANNIES BEST CARD picked a good time to win for the first time in her young career as she took the $31,050 Unclassified Stakes at Ajax Downs on June 25. Owned and trained by Ajax Downs‘ leading conditioner Jason Pascoe, Annies Best Card and jockey Ismael Mosqueira broke on top and opened up in the stretch, pulling away to a commanding 3/4-length victory. The Oklahoma bred by Docs Best Card stopped the clock in 17.001 seconds for 330 yards, earning a whopping 94 speed index and paying $8.40 to win at 3-1 odds.
SW The Lion King, also trained by Pascoe, had defeated Annies Best Card by a nose in one of two Trials for the Unclassified, and the gelding closed ground to finish second in the final under jockey JB Botello. Longshot Stolin Secrets, ridden by Cassandra Jeschke for owner Robert Burns, grabbed third place at 25 to 1.
Pascoe, who is from Pontypool, ON, won four of Wednesday’s seven races, and he has sent out a total of eight winners in the last two racing days at Ajax Downs.
Pascoe plucked Annies Best Card out of over 1,000 horses for sale at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Quarter Horse auction in Oklahoma City in January. He paid $7,500 (US).
“A good friend of mine asked me to go look at her,” said Pascoe, who was joined in the winner’s circle by his mother Sharon, and daughter Jessica. “I didn’t originally have her on my sheet, but when I saw her, I liked everything about her.”
Annies Best Card had raced once in the U.S. in 2024 for her previous owners and, off a year-long layoff, had two starts for Pascoe before the Unclassified Trial.
“Her Trial race impressed me. I thought she would keep getting better. But I didn’t expect this, I thought Lion King might win it.”
Earlier on the hot and sunny afternoon at Ajax Downs, the incomparable MARYLAND MAGIC won for the fifth time in 2025 ( from five starts) at the age of 11. Milena Kwiecien’s black stallion, trained by Pascoe, rolled to another win under jockey Brian Bell. Bell won his 800th career race on Maryland Magic on June 15, Father’s Day. This was Maryland Magic’s 24th career win from 70 starts.
Three races later, Maryland Magic’s 3-year-old daughter MISS SILKY MAGIC won for the second consecutive time this year for owner and breeder Amelie Aubut. Maryland Magic is one of several top stallions in Ontario.
REMINDER: Racing at Ajax Downs continues July 2 with a special twilight post time of 4:15 p.m. The final of the $50,000 Ontario Bred Derby will headline the card.
Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the races trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com.
Do you have a group or company event? Call ahead to reserve the trackside VIP room to enjoy food, drink and mutuels. Fans may also reserve outdoor tables at the track for $25. Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905 426-7050 for details.
Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com , for news, track programs, and more information.
