Father’s Day at Ajax Downs had a little bit of everything for the large crowd that crammed the track for an eight-race card on a warm, early summer afternoon. The highlight of the day was jockey BRIAN BELL’s 800th career victory which came in the last race of the day aboard the stakes winning stallion MARYLAND MAGIC, owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe.
Bell, who began his riding career in 2001 at the former Picov Downs ‘J’ track, is the winningest Quarter Horse jockey in Canada, winning those 800 races while only riding 20 to 40 race dates each year. Essentially, Bell won some 30 to 33 races each year since his first win on Mr. Ordinary Joe on July 1, 2001.
Maryland Magic, an 11-year-old stakes winner owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe, was winning for the third straight time this year, all with Bell aboard..
“I want to thank everyone who came out today,” said Bell. “It was a rough start, and Maryland Magic was my last shot today and he came through for me.”Bell’s mother, Diane, made the long drive from the Sarnia area to attend, along with dozens of other family members. “We’re proud of him, it has been a lot of hard work.”
Bell, who has two sons with his partner Katie Browne, the head outrider at Ajax Downs, had seven mounts on Sunday but two of those were late scratches, including Champion Had To Be Ivory, one of the favorites for the Norman Picov Maturity.
The Maturity, at 300 yards, had a nail-biting finish as SPY FOR THE SENATE, owned by Kwiecien and trained by Pascoe, defeated stablemate SNOW MOOSE by a nose in a time of 15.639 for an 89 speed index. Alfredo Almador, who rides in Alberta, was in town for the mount on Spy For The Senate, a 9-year-old horse by Louisiana Senator and now a 20-time winner from 57 starts.
“We raised him from a yearling,” said Kwiecien. “He was such a quiet and sweet dude, and to see him race so well at the top level is exciting.”
Spy For The Senate, like Maryland Magic, also does stud duty in early spring and has his first foals racing this year.
Kwiecien said that Maryland Magic and Spy For The Senate, two of the oldest horses racing at Ajax Downs, are successful because “Jason keeps them happy and they love what they do.”
In other highlights, Kwiecien won three races on Sunday, Pascoe saddled four winners, jockey Almador rode three winners while owner BROOKE SISSON won her first race when her filly MY ROYAL PRIZE broke her maiden in Race two.
Racing at Ajax Downs returns on Wednesday, JUNE 25, 2025 with the final of the Unclassified Stakes. First race post time is 1:45 p.m. Admission and parking are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on our exciting races trackside, up close to the action, at our picnic tables. To reserve tables in advance for $25 or book the VIP room for your party or group, contact www.ajaxdowns.com.
There is also an expansive simulcast wagering room with tellers or you can wager through www.HPIBet.com.
If you want to get involved in owning a Quarter Horse, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905-426-7050.
Video of Brian Bell’s 800th victory– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDMSLQBh12A
Video of the Norman Picov Maturity – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OOPjAZMR9w&t=5s
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