Dead Heat Produces Top Two Qualifiers for Alex Picov Memorial Futurity

Two trials were contested Wednesday afternoon at Ajax Downs for the $60,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, with Baref Hurricane Rush and Imperial Miracle sharing the fastest qualifying time after dead-heating for the win in the second trial.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return for the 400-yard final on October 21.

Baref Hurricane Rush and Imperial Miracle hit the wire together in :20.633, earning identical 82 speed indexes.

Baref Hurricane Rush was ridden by Corry Beland for owner and breeder Earl Foster and trainer Corey Illman. The filly by Rushago is out of the Sugarman Perry mare Sugarnspicenotsonice.

The victory improved Baref Hurricane Rush's record to 3-1-1-1 with $14,579 in earnings. She entered the trials off a runner-up finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Imperial Miracle was ridden by Tony Phillips for owner, breeder and trainer James Bogar. The Ontario-bred filly is by Thoroughbred stallion Imperial Hint and out of the Dean Miracle mare Go For Miracles.

The dead-heat victory marked Imperial Miracle's first win from two career starts and increased her earnings to $5,415.

Had To Be Valiant posted the third-fastest qualifying time after taking the opening trial by a nose under Ismael Mosqueira. The filly stopped the clock in :20.758.

A homebred for Carol and Jaime Robertson, Had To Be Valiant is trained by Bryn Robertson. She is by One Valiant Hero and out of the Five Bar Cartel mare Five Bar Fandango. Her second dam is AQHA Dam of Distinction Had To Be Fandango.

Coming off a victory in the Ontario Bred Futurity, Had To Be Valiant remains undefeated through her first three starts and has earned $29,012.

The $60,000-added Alex Picov Memorial Futurity final is scheduled for October 21 at Ajax Downs.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE!

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