Upset in the Princess Derby
AJAX DOWNS, AUGUST 4, 2026 – It was longshot day at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, August 5 with many big payoffs and an upset in the $51,525 PRINCESS DERBY for 3-year-old filly Quarter Horses.
OPEN A NEW CORONA, ridden by Brian Bell for owner and trainer Joe Tavares, jumped out to the lead at the start of the 350-yard dash before she was pursued by ALABAMA MOOONSHINE who drew alongside. Open a New Corona dug in and held on to win by a head at 6 to 1 while Alabama Mooonshine, at 53 to 1 under jockey Corry Beland was a clear third over 13 to 1 shot WORKING CLASS HERO. The race was a rough one for heavily favoured CHILLIN WITH PEEPS, who broke through the gate before the start and then didn’t have a sharp beginning once the race got underway. Chillin With Peeps wound up finishing sixth.
The time for the Derby was 17.986 for a solid 92 speed index. Open a New Corona paid $14.00 to win and keyed a $1,416.00 superfecta payoff.
“This filly loves to battle in her races,” said Bell. “You will probably never see her win by any lengths, she just wants to give everyone a thrill ride.”
Tavares, currently Ajax Downs’ leading owner and trainer, purchased Open a New Corona, a daughter of Open Me a Corona, for $6,500 (US) from the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale in 2025. The Princess Derby was the filly’s third win in seven starts with five of those starts coming at Ajax Downs. She has earnings of over $38,000.
*Wednesday was a memorable afternoon for owner and trainer JENNELLE MCMAHON who won her first Quarter Horse race when COLD AND SASSY broke her maiden in race 2. Ridden by Corry Beland, Cold and Sassy was making her fourth career start for McMahon, who started training last summer.
McMahon, who also ponys her horses to the gate, was emotional after the win. “It was hard to see from where I was but when I heard she had won I started crying and screaming.” McMahon, who also barrel races retired Quarter horses and owns Thoroughbreds, is the daughter of former Woodbine jockey Bill McMahon and Fort Erie horsewoman Lorie McMahon. Cold and Sassy is an Ontario bred filly who was purchased from breeder Amelie Aubut.
JASON PASCOE hit a milestone on Wednesday, saddling his 400th career winner when COLD HARD CHIEF won the first race for maiden 2-year-olds. Pascoe, from Pontypool, ON, was an equestrian rider before he started in Quarter Horse racing about 20 years ago. He has been among the leading trainers for the last decade. For good measure, Pascoe won two more races on Wednesday to bring his career total to 402.
Racing continues at AJAX DOWNS on Wednesday, August 12 with a first race post time of 3:30 p.m. Admission is always free and you can get more news and a free pocket program by visiting our website at www.ajaxdowns.com. If you would like to own a Quarter Horse, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario for information on their syndicate and horse purchasing programs, (905) 426-7050.
(Photo below – JENNELLE MACMAHON poses with her filly COLD AND SASSY, her
first winner as a trainer. With her, from left to right, Robyn Voyce, Bill McMahon
and Lorie McMahon. New Image Media photo)
