Ontario Bred Derby winner Chillin With Peeps with jockey Cassandra Jeschke.

© Clive Cohen/New Image Media

By Jennifer Morrison

AJAX, ONT–AUGUST 4, 2026–The best 3-year-old Quarter Horse fillies in the province will dash for big cash on Wednesday, August 5 in the $51,525 Princess Derby at Ajax Downs.

The 12th Princess Derby, run at 350 yards, is race six on the seven-race card, which gets underway at 3:30 p.m. (EDT).

The current leader of the sophomore filly division is the exciting Chillin With Peeps, who has won four of her five career races, including the Ontario Bred Derby against the boys on July 1. One of three Ontario breds in the field of 10, Chillin With Peeps won the faster of two trials for the Princess Derby on July 19 when she coasted to a 2 1/2 length win despite bobbling at the start.

"She had a little bit of a stumble, but somehow, she just turns that into speed," said jockey Cassandra Jeschke following the Trial win. "She just keeps getting better and better."

Owned, trained and bred by Chantelle Bourgeois of Eniskillen, ON, Chillin With Peeps has drawn post position seven in the Derby.

Open A New Corona, who won the other Princess Derby trial, also had a rough trip on her way to victory. The Louisiana-bred was bounced around after the start by two rivals but she muscled her way to the lead under jockey Brian Bell. The Joe Tavares owned and trained filly won by half a length for her second victory in four starts since she was purchased by Tavares last fall from a sale in Oklahoma.

Tavares also starts Goodlookingperry, who finished third to Chillin With Peeps in their Trial.

Owner Amelie Aubut, from Pont-Rouge, Quebec, has two Derby starters, both trained by Jason Pascoe. Sixes Royal Maiden was 45 to 1 when second to Chillin With Peeps in their Trial while Lil Phyler was bumped hard at the start of her Trial when fourth to Open a New Corona. Pascoe is one victory away from 400 career Quarter Horse wins.

The jockey race is an exciting one with six riders within three wins of each other. Cassandra Jeschke is just one victory from the top of the rider standings at the halfway mark of the Ajax Downs season 2026. Jeschke has 10 wins while Cristian Benitez has 11. Ismael Mosquiera is tied with Brian Bell with nine winners and at eight wins is Helen Vanek and J.B. Botello.

For more news, a free pocket program, and to reserve picnic tables on busy days ($25), visit our website at www.ajaxdowns.com. You can watch and wager on Ajax Downs racing at the track or through www.HPIBet.com. To find out how you can own a share in a Quarter Horse, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905-426-7050.

12th PRINCESS DERBY
Purse $51,525; 350 yards; 3-year-olds fillies

      PP Horse                            Jockey              Trainer     Odds

1. Mi Reina Janette             I E Mosqueira    J McMahon  12-1
2. Sixes Royal Maiden        J Medina           J Pascoe    6-1
3. Open a New Corona       B Bell                J Tavares   7-2
4. Lil Phyler                         C Benitez         J Pascoe   10-1
5. Alabama Mooonshine     R S Castillo      B Broadstock   8-1
6. Keep Them in Corona     H M Vanek       S Reid       4-1
7. Chillin With Peeps           C Jeschke       C Bourgeois  3-1
8. Goodlookingperry           J N Cruz           J Tavares   8-1
9. Working Class Hero       A Sanchez        S Reid     10-1
10. Haaave You Met Karma H M Vanek       S Reid     15-1

Owners: 1 - Jennelle McMahon ; 2 - Amelie Aubut ; 3 - Joe Tavares ; 4 - Amelie Aubut ; 5 - Marie Broadstock ; 6 - John S. Wilson ; 7 - Chantelle Bourgeois ; 8 - Joe Tavares ; 9 - Rick Crispi ; 10 - Scott Reid and Colleen McCracken

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