Racing


Fastest Qualifier Gets Returns to Win Picov Maturity Win
Fastest qualifier Country Boy 123 returned on Sunday for a wire-to-wire win in the $73,000 Picov Maturity at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen
Fastest Qualifier Gets Returns to Win Picov Maturity Win

AJAX, ONT—JUNE 18, 2017—Last year's Picov Derby winner Country Boy 123 scored a double on Sunday when he defeated Fast Man Vic by 1¼ lengths in the $59,200(US) Picov Maturity at Ajax Downs. One Famous Glass finished a head back in third.

Ridden by jockey Cory Spataro, Country Boy 123 took command from the gate then widened while completing the 300 yards in :15.100 seconds into a 16-mph crosswind on a "good" racing surface, earning a 112-speed index.

Trainer Bryn Robertson saddled the multiple stakes winner for owner Ruth Barbour. It was he 8th win in 14 starts for the son of champion Country Chicks Man from Very Dashin 123 by Dash Thru Traffic. The $17,558(US) winners' purse boosted the bay gelding's bankroll to more than $102,000. Carolyn Bay is the breeder.

Multiple stakes winner Fast Man Vic picked up $8,779(US) for his second-place effort. Greg Watson trains the son of Mighty Invictus for owner Full Circle Racing. Bred in Texas by Walther R "Dick" Harrison, the bay gelding has banked nearly $190,000. Julian Serrano was aboard the 5-year-old from the Heza Fast Man mare Precious Debutante.

Runner-up in last year's Picov Maturity, One Famous Glass earned $4,389(US) for this third-place effort today. Also trained by Bryn Robertson, the 7-year-old One Famous Eagle gelding races for the partnership of Carol and Jaime Robertson and Dr. Charles Hall. Tony Phillips rode the multiple stakes winner out of Quick Glass by Royal Quick Glass. Burnett Ranches LLC bred the $220,237 earner in Texas.

Robertson is having quite a day. Earlier on Sunday's card he saddled the winners of both trials for the John Deere Ajax Juvenile Challenge, also getting the fastest two qualifiers.

Seis Zoom, Deal A Fortune, Memories Times Six, Valiant Stoli Time, Fast Buck and Panther Hero completed the field.