Baref Hurricane Rush Captures $42,538 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity At Ajax Downs

Fastest qualifier Baref Hurricane Rush delivered another winning performance Wednesday afternoon at Ajax Downs, capturing the $42,538 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity and extending her winning streak to two consecutive races.

Ridden by Corry Beland, the two-year-old filly overcame a slow start to secure a three-quarter-length victory over Bnb Jessagoldheart. Baref Hurricane Rush completed the 400-yard distance in :20.619 over a fast track, earning an 83 speed index.

"Her start was a little slow, but she jumped up great after that," said Beland, who only started riding races this spring. "Once she got going, she just kept running."

Trained by Corey Illman, Baref Hurricane Rush is a homebred for Earl Foster. She is sired by Rushago and out of the Sugarman Perry mare Sugarnspicenotsonice.

"This filly is pretty tough, and I always have good luck on the last day of racing," said Foster. "Our friend Al had the dream [with Rushago], and we're just making it come true."

Illman, only in this third full year of training, and his wife, Holly, own Pine Haven Farm. "We are over the moon," said Holly. "We thought she had a chance, but you never know with 2-year-olds."

Wednesday's victory marked her second consecutive win and improved her career record to 4-2-1-1. The $17,016 winner's share of the purse boosted her total earnings to $31,595. She entered the September 30 trials following a runner-up finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Bnb Jessagoldheart turned in a game effort to finish second under jockey D. Benitez for owner and trainer Joe Tavares. The filly broke sharply and established an early lead before yielding to the eventual winner.

Bred by Rainee Browning, Bnb Jessagoldheart is a $5,500 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate. She is sired by All American Derby (G1) winner Gold Heart Eagle V and out of the winning Apollitical Jess mare Jessa Clean Slate. The runner-up finish improved her career record to 4-0-1-0 and increased her earnings to $10,364.

Stellaaaa rounded out the top three with a strong third-place effort under jockey Ramiro Castillo for trainer Bob Broadstock. A homebred for Marie Broadstock, the filly is sired by San Lorenzo and out of the Stel Corona mare Get A Leg Up.

Stellaaaa now holds a career record of 3-0-0-1 with $8,402 in earnings. She began her racing career in July with a fourth-place finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Had To Be Valiant finished fourth, followed by Cold Hard Chief, Snowy Goose, Imablazinrush, My Gypsy Girl, and Imperial Miracle. Whole Lotta Moxxie was scratched by the veterinarian.

The Alex Picov Memorial Futurity was contested at 400 yards for two-year-old Quarter Horses who qualified through the September 30 trials.

Stay tuned for a recap of the record-breaking Ajax Downs season and a report on all the divisional leaders for 2026.

Ajax Downs is open every day throughout the winter months for simulcasting, and there are plenty of added events and handicapping contests. The first big simulcasting event will be the Breeders' Cup World Championship races from Keeneland racecourse in Kentucky on October 30 and 31.

To keep up to date on events and the return of racing for 2027, plus the latest news from Ajax Downs, and stay in touch, visit our website at www.ajaxdowns.com or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, @Ajaxdowns.

For more information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario about the First Line Racing Syndicate at (905) 426-7050.

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