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Had to Be Fabulous Captures QROOI Open Derby at Ajax Downs
Had To Be Fabulous continued her family's tradition by picking up her third caree stakes win in today's $23,285(US) QROOI Open Derby at Ajax Downs.

© Clive Cohen / New Image Media
Had to Be Fabulous Captures QROOI Open Derby at Ajax Downs

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

AJAX, ONTARIO—MAY 21, 2025—Had to Be Fabulous broke sharply and never looked back en route to a clear-cut victory in the $23,285(US) QROOI Open Derby at Ajax Downs, drawing away from nine rivals in the 300-yard sprint for 3-year-olds.

Under a strong ride by Ismael Mosqueira, the Ontario-bred filly stopped the timer in 15.549 seconds, finishing 1 ¾ lengths in front to earn the $9,314(US) winner’s share of the purse. Trained by Bobbie Robertson and racing for her breeders, Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had to Be Fabulous is by One Fabulous Eagle and out of Had to Be Fandango, by Hadtobenuts.

Sassies Best, a Texas-bred daughter of Kiss My Hocks, chased the winner gamely but had to settle for second, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Kissin Ella. Sassies Best races for John Wilson and is trained by Scott Reid, while C. Benitez was aboard. She earned $4,657(US) for the effort. Michele and Craig Snider are the breeders.

The winning connections of Had To Be Fabulous accept the QROOI Open Derby stakes trophy.
© Clive Cohen / New Image Media

Kissin Ella, another daughter of Kiss My Hocks, turned in a solid effort to finish third in the field of ten. The Oklahoma-bred filly is out of the Corona Cartel mare Cartella, and was bred by Paris Wixon. Racing for owner Milena Kwiecien and trained by Jason Pascoe, she rallied well under jockey A. Amador to earn $2,328(US). The performance adds black-type credentials to her record and suggests continued promise as the season progresses.

Had to Be Fabulous returned $4.50 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.10 to show.

Rounding out the field were Annies Best Card, Flyin Lady, Paint the Meun, Runaway Fate, Jjjohnnypopper, Peighntmeadiamond, and Sweeet D.

The victory marked a breakout stakes score for the promising filly, who continues to show speed and professionalism in her young career.
 

Jockey JB Botello and trainer Jason Pascoe J each won two races on the card. Botello guided Rick Kennedy's Fiesty Feebee to victory in race four and then tilted the tote board when he won on 7 to 1 longshot CG Mega Spy, a Quebec-bred trained by Pascoe for owner and breeder Caroline Girard of Vaudrueil-Dorion.
 
Owner/trainer Chantelle Bourgeois of Enniskillen and rider CASSANDRA JESCHKE won their first race of 2025 with RUSHN SPICE,  a 3-year-old Ontario sired and bred filly making only her second career start.
 
The biggest priced winner of the day was 13 to 1 shot Sw The Lion King, a gelding who lost his mother at birth. Making his third career start, SW The Lion King, owned by Tim Wettlaufer. won race three, a maiden event, and was the first Ajax winner for jockey Alfredo Torres Amador of Alberta.
 
Racing continues at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, May 28, with a first race post time of 1:45 p.m.
Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs, and you can watch the racing up close from the many picnic tables trackside. Bet on the Ajax Downs races at the track or on www.HPIBet.com.  
 
On racing days, the popular VIP room overlooking the track can be reserved by contacting the track at www.ajaxdowns.com or (905) 686-8001.
To find out more about joining the popular First Line Racing Syndicate and owning a share in a Quarter Horse, call the QROOI at (905) 426-7050.
 
Live stream of Ajax Downs Racing - May 21, 2025

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Parking and admission are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on the race's trackside or from the expansive simulcast room. Wagering is also available through www.HPIBET.com. Do you have a group or company event? Call ahead to reserve the trackside VIP room to enjoy food, drink, and mutuals. Want to get involved in Quarter Horse ownership? Contact the QROOI at 905 426 7050 for details.

Follow Ajax Downs on social media @AjaxDowns and visit our website, www.AjaxDowns.com, for news, track programs, and more information.

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