Orphaned at just nine days old and a tornado survivor, SW THE LION KING roars into the final of the $31,050 Unclassified Stakes at Ajax Downs on June 25 as one of the favourites. A field of 10 Quarter Horses will race 330 yards in the Unclassified, which was introduced to the Ajax Downs stakes schedule two years ago for horses just below the top stakes category. The race is the seventh dash on Wednesday with a first race post time of 1:45 p.m.
SW the Lion King was bred by Sherry Wingfield in Oklahoma, but his dam Rockin Miss Kitty, who raced at Ajax Downs, passed away soon after he was born. Not long after, the youngster was in the barn when a tornado hit near Wingfield’s farm, causing much damage to nearby trees and structures. SW the Lion King emerged unscathed.
In April of this year, Wettlaufer, a blacksmith, met the now 3-year-old at Milena Kwiecien’s Burlington farm and was so impressed by the big son of SW the Game Changer, he bought him. SW the Lion King made his Ajax Downs debut in early May and finished a troubled fifth before reeling off consecutive wins, including one of two Trials for the Unclassified. JB Botello will ride the gelding from post 10 on Wednesday.
RR ILLBEURHUCKLEYBERY won the other Trial for the Unclassified for owner Jennifer Zurowski and trainer Joe Tavares. Also an Oklahoma bred, RR Illbeurhucklebery has won two of his three starts with Brian Bell aboard. He starts from post position two.
Quebec-bred CG MEGA SPY, the first foal to race for Ontario sire Spy for the Senate (who won the Norman Picov Maturity on June 15), was a close second to RR Illbeurhucklebery in their Trial and he draws the rail with jockey Alberto Amador named to ride.
In race 2, the remarkable MARYLAND MAGIC, who has won all four of his races this season, is back in action 10 days after providing jockey BRIAN BELL with his 800th career win. Maryland Magic, who is 11, has 23 career wins and also has offspring racing at Ajax Downs. He is owned by Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe.
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.
$31,050 UNCLASSIFIED STAKES, 330 YARDS
Wednesday June 25, Ajax Downs
Post Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1. CG MEGA SPY A Amador J Pascoe 8-1
2 RR ILLBEURHUCKLEBERY B Bell J Tavares 3-1
3 FLYIN LADY C Benitez S Reid 10-1
4 LITTLE MARGIE R Castillo B Broadstock 15-1
5 IVORY QUEEN A Amador J Pascoe 6-1
6 FAVORITE INTEREST JB Botello J Pascoe 8-1
7 RIDE THE HURRICANE T Phillips S Reid 12-1
8 ANNIES BEST CARD I Mosqueira J Pascoe 7-2
9 STOLIN SECRETS C Jeschke C Bourgeois 10-1
10 SW THE LION KING JB Botello J Pascoe 4-1
