Page 68 - Canada Spring 2019

Photo by Todd Korol
JUNE 17, 2018
Ajax Downs • $17,285 300 yards • :15.200 • si 107
Corona Cartel
Dashin Follies
Hadtobenuts
Ivory James
HAD TO BE IVORY, ‘15-g.
Had To Be Fandango
Grim Fandango
Ajax Downs Bonus Challenge
HAD TO BE IVORY
by Michael Cusortelli
Had To Be Ivory maintained his perfect record, winning the $17,285 Ajax Downs Bonus
Challenge on June 17.
Ridden by Tony Phillips and
aided by a reported 12-mph tail wind, Had To Be Ivory broke from the 5-post in third. The gelding was able to grab the lead in the stretch, crossing the wire 1/2-length in front.
The team covered the 300 yards in :15.200 while posting a 107 speed index and his sixth win in as many starts.
Bryn Robertson saddled Had To Be Ivory for owners Carol and Jaime Robertson.
Raced exclusively at Ajax Downs, Had To Be Ivory has won three stakes, including last year’s 400-yard, $95,548 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity and 350-yard, $26,550 John Deere Ajax Downs Juvenile Challenge.
The $8,134 winner’s share of the Ajax Downs Bonus Challenge purse bumped the gelding’s bank- roll to $78,065.
The Robertsons bred Had To Be Ivory out of Had To Be Fandango, winner of the Maple Leaf Derby. She also had multiple runner-up events, including the Princess Stakes Derby, All Canadian Classic Maturity and Alex Picov Memorial Championship. Had To Be
Fandango has produced 100% win- ners from two starters. Had To Be Ivory is her first stakes winner and top money earner.
Carneros (Prospect To The Top-Cakebread And Thou) and Ed Walton finished second for owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe.
Silky Senator (Louisiana Senator- Denali Peak) ran third under Josh Scott for owner Amelie Aubut and trainer Jason Pascoe.
Hardtostopatrain (Freighttrain
B-A Leading Memory) and Island Vodka (Triple Vodka-Pantherisland) completed the order of finish. Favorite Pear was scratched
68 SPEEDHORSE CANADA, Spring 2019