Challenge


Jess A Sweet Suprize Breaks Maiden, Sets Top Mark in Bonus Challenge Futurity Trials
Jess A Sweet Surpize, under jockey Chelsey Willick, setting the fastest time for the Bonus Challenge Futurity Sunday afternoon at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen
Jess A Sweet Suprize Breaks Maiden, Sets Top Mark in Bonus Challenge Futurity Trials

AJAX, ONT—JUNE 17, 2018—Jess A Sweet Surpize went wire-to-wire in her maiden win Sunday at Ajax Downs while posting the top qualifying time for the Bonus Challenge Futurity.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from two trials for Challenge enrolled 2-year-olds, will return Sunday, July 15th to vie for the winner's share of the $15,000-added stakes going 300 yards.

Ridden by jockey Chelsey Willick, Jess A Sweet Suprize defeated Spy For The Senate by one-length while setting the top mark of :15.690 seconds, a 90-speed index over a sloppy rainy racing surface.

Owner-trainer Craig Spada saddled the daughter of multiple stakes sire Sweet First Down to her first win in two starts. Bred in Iowa by Pattie Marshall and Erin Goings, the bay filly is the only foal of multiple stakes winner Jess Curl My Prize by Spit Curl Jess.

Spy For The Senate, a son of multiple stakes sire Louisiana Senator, was the first of four qualifiers for trainer Jason Pascoe and owner Milena Kwiecien. The Oklahoma-bred colt held for the second fastest time of :15.870 seconds.

Rvr Undercover Lover, under jockey Cesar Esqueda, winning the second Bonus Challenge Futurity trial Sunday afternoon at Ajax Downs. © Clive Cohen
Bred by Mary Hainline, from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Spy, Spy For Senate raced twice at Remington Park before breaking his maiden at Ajax Downs earlier this month. Brian Bell had the riding call.

Pascoe and Kwiecien also teamed with 3rd fastest qualifier Stripper Dust, 7th fastest qualifier Code Name Valor and 10th qualifier Highly Apollogetic.

Rvr Undercover Lover, a colt by All American Futurity(G1) winner No Secrets Here, won the second trial by a nose over Gatlinberg, to get the fifth fastest time of :16.010. Anthony Cunningham saddled the bay colt to his first win for owner Daniel Gamez.

Royal Vista Ranches LLC bred Rvr Undercover Lover in Oklahoma from the Strawfly Special mare Indulge The Heart. In his only other start he was second in a maiden at Indiana Grand Race Course on May 30.

For the compete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Coming up, Ajax Downs has a big Canada Day celebration on Sunday, July 1, with a card of racing, infield festivities and games followed by fireworks.

All the Ajax Downs events can be found at ajaxdowns.com.