Ajax Downs, formerly known as Picov Downs, in the town of Ajax east of Toronto is the only quarterhorse racetrack in Ontario. For its 39 year history, races were conducted over its unique J-track, a 440-yard dirt straightaway ending in a sharp right hand turn for the runout. On Sunday, closing day of the 2008 meeting, the J-track saw its final race as a new 5/8 mile oval will be built in time for the 2009 season opener. Fans accustomed to the grassroots atmosphere with wooden bleachers and tents will be treated to modern amenities when they arrive on May 24, with a new 600-seat grandstand, a modern paddock, and a video display toteboard in the infield. However, Ajax Downs as traditionally been, according to operations manager Ken Richards, "a place where families come to enjoy the races, have a picnic, and see the horses up close," and it is hoped that this will not change, with grassy areas at trackside to allow this tradition to continue. Horsemen will appreciate that the old racing surface will be recycled and used on the new track, making for a familiar footing for the horses, but with the benefit of a modern drainage system installed underneath, avoiding the cancellations due to wet weather that have plagued the facility in the past.
Until the track was allowed to open its slots facility two years ago, racing was conducted on Sundays only with overnight races having purses of around $1500 and their richest stakes race being around $10,000. This year, the track raced on both Saturday and Sunday, overnight races are run for $8,500, and the closing day feature, the $129,000 Alex Picov Memorial Championship (G3), is the first AQHA graded stakes ever run at the track. 8 older horses were entered in this 440 yard (1/4 mile) dash. 6-1 shot Illbegoneinajazz and jockey Tony Phillips finished a head in front of Strawflyin Fitness with John McInerney on the stands side and Rockish with Ramon Dominguez on the far side, completing the trip in 21.92 seconds over the fast track. Morning line favorite Reckless Bug finished last. Illbegoneinajazz is a 4-year-old chestnut mare by Jazzing Hi out of the Chicks Beduino mare Likeachicillbegone, bred by Fred and Carolyn Helmuth. The Joe Tavares trainee improved her career record to 8 wins, 4 seconds, and 4 thirds in 21 starts, earning $110,429 for owner Christine Tavares.
The undercard feature was the $11,000 race for horses that failed to qualify for the Alex Picov Memorial Championship field, also at 440 yards. Dean Deverell aboard GH Rakin In The Cash breaking from the stands side defeated Caraways Mr Native by a head in 21.92 seconds. GH Rakin In The Cash is a 4-yar-old bay mare by Rakin In The Cash out of the Ronas Ryon mare Ronas Swift Ryon, bred by Eugene Hill. The Sandra Laszlo trainee improved his record to 8 wins, 3 seconds, and 6 thirds in 25 starts, earning $64,966 for owner North Wind Racing Stables.
Followers of Woodbine racing may remember jockey Dean Deverell who was a finalist for the 2007 Sovereign Award for top apprentice jockey in Canada. In August he announced his retirement from Thoroughbred racing and returned home to Ajax Downs, where he had been a top rider for many years before making the switch across town to Woodbine two years ago.
