Karma, Swinger Win Trials / Had to Be Fabulous Upset
AJAX DOWNS, JUNE 4, 2026 – Upsets were the order of the day on a sunny and hot June 3 afternoon at the Ajax Downs Quarter Horse racetrack. HAAAVE YOU MET KARMA, at odds of 12 to 1, won the fastest of two Trial races for the Unclassified Stakes, while later in the day, Horse of the Year HAD TO BE FABULOUS, finished fourth in a speed index dash as the 1 to 9 favourite, only her second career loss from 15 races.
Ontario sired and bred Haaave You Met Karma, owned by Colleen McCracken and Scott Reid, who also trains, was winning for the first time in her 330 yard Trial, powering from behind the early leaders to win by a head over another maiden, Ariche. Her time was 17.207 for an 89 speed index.
Ridden by Cassandra Jeschke, who picked up the mount from an absent Diego Benitez, Haaave You Met Karma finished a promising second in her 2026 opener after three fringe placings as a 2-year-old. The filly was bred by Reid and Carly Furlonger and is a daughter of young Ontario sire Makin an Effort.
Joe Tavares’ MY ROYAL SWINGER won the first Unclassified Stakes Trial, breezing to a half-length win under jockey Corry Beland, who won his first career race aboard that gelding two weeks ago. My Royal Swinger, an Indiana bred by My Royal Wagon, won in a time of 17.303, an 86 speed index. Just behind him, Keep Them in Corona closed fast after a stumbling start to dead heat with Sixes Royal Maiden for second place.
The $30,000-added final of the Unclassified Stakes is on Sunday, June 21. The complete list of the 10 qualifiers for the final is below.
Later on the card, the 2025 Horse of the Year HAD TO BE FABULOUS had her 11-race winning streak halted when she hopped up at the start of a speed index race and then lost her path. The Ontario bred, who had won 13 of 14 races prior to Wednesday’s race, finished fourth in the field of five behind winner Kissin Ella, owned by Milena Kwiecien. Cristian Benitez rode Kissin Ella for trainer Jason Pascoe.
The next Quarter Horse racing day at Ajax Downs is Wednesday June 10 with a first race post time of 3:30 p.m. To check the racing schedule, upcoming events and racing news, visit our website at www.ajaxdowns.com. For information on how to become a Quarter Horse owner, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc. at www.qrooi.com.
A reminder that the July 19 card of racing at Ajax Downs also includes the RCMP Musical Ride. Tickets are required to attend the races and the show. Visit https://ajaxdowns.ticketpro.ca/en/ for tickets.
Qualifiers for Unclassified Stakes Final — June 21
Rank Horse Time Trainer Jockey Owner
1 Haaave You Met Karma (won Trial) 17.207 S Reid C Jeschke /McCracken
2 Ariche 17.223 J. Tavares J. Cruz J. Tavares
3 Thirty Ought Six 7.279 J. Pascoe C. Benitez, S. Pascoe
4 My Royal Swinger (won Trial) 17.303 J Tavares Beland Tavares
5 Sixes Royal Maiden 17.365 J. Pascoe J. Medina A. Aubut
6 Keep Them in Corona 17.365 S. Reid C Jeschke J. Wilson
7 Hesmagicalydelicious 17.419 B. Broadstock A. Sanchez First Line Racing
8 Tell Him No Secrets 17.421 J. Tavares B. Bell J. Tavares
9 Royal Zambo 17.546 B. Sisson R. Castillo B. Sisson
10 Chamacas Rocket 17.694 J. Pascoe C. Benitez, M Kwiecien