Chillin With Peeps Battles to Norman Picov Derby Victory

Fourth-fastest qualifier Chillin With Peeps added another stakes victory to her resume Wednesday at Ajax Downs, holding off a late charge from Open A New Corona to win the $43,292 Norman Picov Derby.

Ridden by Cassandra Jeschke, Chillin With Peeps broke on top from post four and battled on the lead throughout the 400-yard event. The filly held a narrow advantage before digging in late to prevail by a neck over Open A New Corona in :20.250.

Chillin With Peeps is bred, owned and trained by Chantelle Bourgeois. The Ontario-bred daughter of Rushago is out of the Look At Magics Form mare Shake It Twice.

The victory improved her record to 8-5-1-1 with $67,141 in earnings. She entered the August 19 trials following a finalist effort in the Princess Derby and had already captured the Ontario Bred Derby earlier this season. As a 2-year-old, she won the Alex Picov Memorial Futurity.

Open A New Corona had considerably more work to do after breaking eighth from post nine under Brian Bell. She rallied strongly from the back of the field, advancing all the way to second and finishing just a neck behind the winner in :20.272.

Open A New Corona races for owner and trainer Joe Tavares. Bred by Brian Gunder, the filly is a $6,500 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate. She is by champion Open Me A Corona and out of the stakes-winning One Fabulous Eagle mare On A New Note. Her female family includes champions Sixy Chick ($751,284) and Gotta Get ($972,834).

Open A New Corona now has a record of 9-3-4-0 with $37,907 in earnings. Earlier this season, she won the Princess Derby and finished second in the QROOI Open Derby.

My Royal Swinger broke sixth under Corry Beland, quickly moved into third and remained in contention throughout, finishing another neck back in :20.305 while just missing second.

My Royal Swinger also races for owner and trainer Joe Tavares. Bred by Brian and Lane Gunder, the gelding is a $4,500 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate. He is by My Royal Wagon and out of the winning Swingin Jess mare Game Swinger. The third-place finish snapped his five-race winning streak and moved his record to 9-5-0-1 with $28,089 in earnings.

Ariche finished fourth, followed by Suit Up, Copilot, Agent Ice, Thirty Ought Six and Drouillard. Jeronemo was scratched.