AJAX, ONT—JULY 16, 2017—Ghost Pines, a lightly raced daughter of Fire Finder, got up in the final jump Sunday to defeat her stablemate Later Tater by a nose in the $49,774(US) Ontario Sires Stakes Derby at Ajax Downs. Home To Vegas was a neck back in the blanket finish to get third-place.

Ridden by jockey Brian Bell, Ghost Pines completed the 350 yards in :17.860 seconds, a 93-speed index with a 7-mph tailwind, to pick up the winners' purse worth $19,910(US).

Trainer Michelle Woodley saddled the filly to her second win four career starts for owner-breeder Gary McNichol. Out of the Tres Seis mare Quick Six Lady, Ghost Pines has compiled a (4) 2-2-0 record and banked $28,783.

Woodley and McNichol also teamed with runner-up Later Tater, a son of Wild Boyz from the Eyesa Special mare Eyesa Quick. Cory Spataro rode the gray gelding who was third in the Ontario Sire's Stakes Futurity last year Ajax Downs. He earned $9,955(US) for the effort. Gary and Marlene McNichol is the breeder.

Home To Vegas, a gelding by Down Home Dash, races for owners Brian Samis and Marie Broadstock and is trained by Bob Broadstock. The gelding broke out under jockey Tony Phillips. Bred by Gayle Sommer, DVM, Home To Vegas is out of the Gold Medal Jess mare Cash Into Vegas. Winner of last year's Ontario Sire's Stakes Futurity he picked up $4,977(US) today.

Home Ice, Arising Miracle, Dash To Miami, Shazamataz, Yawlplayingwithfire and By Royal Appointment completed the field.

Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity

In a driving finish, under jockey Julian Serrano, multiple stakes winner Alakazaam defeated Hope Rambles On by a neck in the $44,871(US) Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity Sunday afternoon at Ajax Downs. Ice Fishn was three-quarter back to finish in third-place.

Saddled by trainer Greg Watson Alakazaam completed the 330 yards in :16.690 seconds, a 102-speed index with a 7-mph tailwind. It was the eighth career win in 16 starts for son of champion Mezoomn. The $17,949(US) winner's purse boosted his career earnings to $77,558.

Full Circle Racing and Cummings Cattle Co. own the 4-year-old Maryland-bred gelding out of Corona Deluxe by Corona Cartel. Lucas Racing is the breeder. Alakazaam won the Ontario Sires Stakes Derby last year.

Ridden by Brian Bell, Hope Rambles On earned $8,974(US) for owners Richard Wincikaby and DK Training Centre. Bred in Ontario by DK Training Centre the 4-year-old filly is by Ramblin On Down from the Corona Cartel mare Bottoms Up Corona.

Trainer Greg Watson also saddled third-place finisher Ice Fishin for owner Stephanie Keeble. Danielle DiBert was aboard the Full Circle Racing-bred Iced N Oak daughter from the Fishers Dash mare Fisher Lines. The stakes winning filly earned $4,487(US) for her effort.

Eyesa Speedy Simon, Dm Aurora, Albertt, Dinahlicious, Cruwysn The Artic and Yawl Keep Texting completed the field. Eye Got Yer Back was scratched.