It didn’t take long for jockey BRIAN BELL to get back into the winner’s circle at Ajax Downs after missing the first day of the season. Last year’s High Point Jockey guided Joe Tavares’ A FANCY ARRANGEMENT to victory in race 2 on May 14,the second day of the 2025 Quarter Horse season. Two races later, Bell was aboard the amazing 11-year-old stallion MARYLAND MAGIC for that horse’s second win of the season. Bell is now only seven wins from a record 800 victories as a Quarter Horse jockey.
“I’m happy to be back,” said Bell, who had to sit out the first day of the season due to a minor infraction from last year.. “I love it and every year you look forward to getting back.”
A Fancy Arrangement was also the first winner of the 2025 season for longtime leading Ajax Downs trainer Joe Tavares, who has won 898 races since 1991. Tavares and Bell have shared hundreds of wins over the years including numerous stakes with the top mare Go Smashing Baby from 2003-2007.
The May 14 day of racing was off to an exciting start in race 1 with SWEET KARA winning the featured allowance race for Ontario breds. The 4-year-old filly, owned and bred by the Picov Cattle Company, is named for Ajax Downs‘ track administrator Kara Ferguson. Jason Pascoe trains Sweet Kara and Christian Benitez was the winning rider. The filly raced 250 years in 13.668 for an 80 speed index on a sunny and windy day.
Two 3-year-olds to watch this year on the road to the Picov Derby, GAME FAVORITE and LAST COLD BUD, won maiden races on Wednesday. Game Favorite, purchased last fall at the Heritage Place Mixed Sale in Oklahoma by Ruth Barbour of Erin, won race 5 under Tony Phillips by an easy 1 1/2 lengths. Last Cold Bud, owned and bred by Belinda Taggart of Oakwood, took race 6 under jockey Diego Benitez. Last Cold Bud’s trainer Scott Reid was winning his third race of the young season.
Jockey BRIAN CHEYNE won his first race at Ajax Downs riding James Bogar’s Relentless Betty, who edged stablemate Jezzabella in race 3. Cheyne, who was a finalist for the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Thoroughbred Apprentice Jockey in 2010, rode in a few Quarter Horses races at Fort Erie through 2015 is from Fort Erie.
“I’m looking to become full time at Ajax Downs,” said Cheyne. “Ajax Downs is so beautiful and everyone is very nice here.”
Racing continues at Ajax Downs on Wednesday May 21 with the final of the $30,000-added QROOI OPEN DERBY for 3-year-olds. Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs and you can watch the racing up close from the many picnic tables trackside. Bet on the Ajax Downs races at the track or on www.HPIBet.com. The popular VIP room overlooking the track can be reserved on racing days by contacting the track at www.ajaxdowns.com or (905) 686-8001. To find out more about joining the popular First Line Racing Syndicate and own a share in a Quarter Horse, call the QROOI at (905) 426-7050.
