Once a week, throughout the harness racing season, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a horse who has had a life-changing impact on one of their closest connections.
This week, the series features driver Tyler Jones, who registered a career-best 81 wins last season, and his father Dustin Jones’ homebred trotter, You Will Be Queen.
The younger Jones reflected on his fondest memories of the mare who helped put his career into perspective.
You Will Be Queen
Foaled: May 18, 2018
Sire: Royalty For Life (ON)
Dam: Dewdle All Day
Starts-Wins-Seconds-Thirds: 39-6-10-9
Earnings: $420,147
Trainer: Dustin Jones (2020-2021)
Owner: Dustin Jones Stables Inc. & Herbert Horses Inc.
Breeder: Dustin Jones Stables Inc. & 9177 8720 Quebec Inc.
What was your first impression of You Will Be Queen?
“My dad and his racing partner bred her, and they owned the mare [Dewdle All Day] – they bought her at the Forest City Sale in 2014. The mare did really well, and her first foal was You Will Be Queen, who was a natural from day one.
“At two, [You Will Be Queen] was really good. She won a Grassroots and a Gold [in Ontario Sires Stakes]. In her three-year-old season – that's when I moved from Quebec to Ontario to race full time – I raced her once at the beginning of the year and did fair, and then I raced her again at the end of September.
“The second time I raced her, I won the OSS Gold at Mohawk [on Sept. 28, 2021].”
That OSS Gold win in the fall of 2021 was obviously very special. Looking back, what do you remember most from that night?
“Ben Baillargeon had this really good horse HP Mama B, and she happened to be scratched sick that night, which changed the whole perspective of the race. It didn't necessarily change our game plan, which still was to come late. My filly always had a huge late kick, so the plan was to use that late kick.
“HP Mama B was the best three-year-old that year, and she went on to be a really good racing mare, but that day she just happened to be scratched and I was the lucky victor.
“It was crazy. When I was doing the post-race interview, I was just beaming. I couldn't believe we won. That's the high everybody chases.”
What was the greatest lesson she taught you?
“Getting the opportunity to race a horse like that shows you how exceptional a horse can be. That was the biggest lesson. Now, moving forward from her, you have that little bit of knowledge to lead you into thinking how good a horse can be.
“When you have a horse like her, it makes everything easy, even though it's not.”
What are three words you would use to describe her?
“Classy. Gentle. Intelligent.”
How has she changed your life?
“She helped me understand that I really wanted to be a driver, and wanted to participate in races like that, and race horses like her, and win big races like I was able to do with her.”
(Woodbine)