Page 195 - May_2023

NEWS BRIEFS
Lip Chip LLC All American Cutter/Chariot 2023 World Champions
The Lip Chip LLC All American Cutter/Chariot World Champion is Luthi Ranch with horses Magestic Corona and Runaway Favorite, owned by owned by Johnny Robinson of Jacknife Ranch and driven by Coralia Robinson. Majestic Corona (Fantastic Corona Jr-JJ Dash, Fishers Dash) is a 7-year-old sorrel gelding with $27,945 in earnings on the flat track and a 1-length win at Ruidoso Downs. Runaway Favorite (Bigtime Favorite-Dashin Vike, Dashin Bye) is an 8-year-old gelding with two victories on the flat track at Sam Houston Race Park (by 1-length) and Louisiana Downs (by 3 1/4-lengths), and $6,181 in earnings before moving to the chariots.
tions were found in his vehicle, and stable employee Marc A. Ramirez was suspended for 15 days and fined $250 for possession on needles and syringes found during a search of his vehicle.
Sandy Ridge at Red Mile Meet Concludes
The first Quarter Horse meet at Sandy Ridge at Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, which began April 1, ended on April 6. The meet saw thousands of fans welcome Quarter Horse racing back to the state as 36 races took place over six days with over $1 million in purses awarded, including two $45,000 stakes races. The top trainers for the meet were Justin Powell, Clint Crawford, Anthony Cunningham and Hector Sanchez. The top jockeys were Jorge Torres, Gilbert Ortiz, Luiz Daniel Martinez and Danial Antonio Torres. “We could not have asked for a better week
of racing or stronger support from Kentucky’s horse racing fans,” said Larry Lucas, chairman of Revolutionary Racing Kentucky, which secured the Commonwealth’s ninth and final horse racing license last year and hosted the week of races. Revolutionary Racing Ken- tucky, in partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is investing $55 million to build Sandy’s Racing & Gaming, a world- class Quarter Horse racetrack, equestrian cen- ter and gaming facility in eastern Kentucky. Races are taking place at Red Mile while construction begins on the project. Sandy’s Racing & Gaming is expected to open later this year, with the Sandy Ridge racetrack opening for racing in the Spring of 2025.
Ajax Downs Honors Norm Picov
Ajax Downs in Ontario, Canada, will open their 54th Quarter Horse meet on May 10 and will
run through on Oct. 25. Norm Picov took the reins from his father Alex Picov, a founder of Quarter Horse racing in Ontario. Alex and Norm opened a racetrack in 1969 on their family farm and in time the complex, arena and tack shop evolved into Ajax Downs. Pari-mutuel wagering was added in the 1980’s and the facility opened
a casino in 2009. Through family events, Norm continued to encourage the love of horses. The annual Family Fun Day at Ajax Downs raises funds for the local hospital, and they host other events to benefit the community. The family donated $100,000 to Ajax-Pickering Hospital’s Image is Everything campaign for the purchase of its first MRI machine. Norm was honored by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2016 with a special award for his “dedicated service and unique contributions” to Canada’s horse racing industry and in 2020 and 2021, his Picov Cattle Company topped all breeders in the province. Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier said the Picov family and Quarter Horse racing have brought together neighboring communities and “advanced the development” of the town. “Norm’s kindness, philanthropy and commitment to growing horse racing in Canada, and here in Ajax, will not be forgotten,” said Collier. Norm was known as an honest and trustworthy businessman. He passed away Feb. 18, 2023, at the age of 86.
SPEEDHORSE PHOTO ARCHIVES
Can you identify the horse in this photo? Here’s a hint: He was the 1955 Champion Gelding. The answer is on page 195.
SPEEDHORSE May 2023 193