August Rain's victory in Canadian Derby caps solid day for trainer Heads

August Rain closed from next to last to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby on Saturday night at Century Mile in what was a memorable card for his trainer, Barbara Heads.

The Canadian Derby was one of four Thoroughbred stakes on a 13-race program.

Heads won four races on the card, including three of the stakes. She also saddled Infinite Patience to win the $75,000 Northlands Distaff Handicap for the fourth time and accounted for the $100,000 Century Casino Oaks with Avana. Heads also won an allowance on the card Saturday.

August Rain ($4.50) had one horse beat in the field of 11 early on, as Itsallgoodman set pressured fractions of 22.04 seconds for the opening quarter, 45.37 for the half-mile and 1:10.41 for six furlongs. August Rain advanced, moved to the lead in the stretch, and went on to cover 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 2:04.94.

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Amadeo Perez was aboard August Rain, who won by 2 3/4 lengths over J Dutton. It was another two lengths back in third to Roussette.

August Rain won the sixth stakes race of his career with the Canadian Derby and overall is 6 for 10 for earnings of $208,919. He is a son of the A. P. Indy stallion Sungold and races for his breeder, Peter Redekop.

Heads said in a post-race interview broadcast by Century Mile that August Rain is now a candidate for the British Columbia Derby next month at Hastings.

Redekop, Heads and Perez began their night with a win in the Oaks with Avana, who after stumbling at the start closed from last for a 4 3/4-length victory over Midnight Lady.

Avana ($2.60) closed into fractions of 24.61 for the opening quarter, 49.38 for the half-mile, and 1:13.22 for six furlongs before winning the 1 1/8 miles race on a fast track in 1:51.20.

“We broke slow and she ran very well from behind,” Perez said in a post-race interview broadcast by Century Mile. “She stumbled a little out of the gate.”

Avana is a daughter of Vino Rosso who improved her record to 5 for 6 with the win Saturday. She is now a four-time stakes winner and has earnings of $114,038. Avana was winning her fifth straight race Saturday.

Heads trainee Infinite Patience ($2.90) secured her fourth win in the Northlands Distaff when she sat just off fractions of 22.95 seconds for the opening quarter, 45.70 for the half-mile and 1:10.62 for six furlongs before going on to a 1 1/2-length win over Majestic Oops. The winner covered the mile for fillies and mares in 1:37.05.

Antonio Reyes was aboard for William Decoursey, who bred Infinite Patience, and R N H Stable. Infinite Patience is a daughter of Sungold who has now won 21 of 30 starts for earnings of $659,084.

Heads said in an interview broadcast by Century Mile that it’s been her honor to be entrusted with a horse like Infinite Patience.

“It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime gift to me,” she said.

Infinite Patience was winning her 19th stakes race Saturday.

*Varatti ($9.20) won his fifth straight race in the $100,000 Speed to Spare, which was run over 1 1/4 miles. He was always prominent for a three-quarter-length win over Decoy. N’Rico Prescod was aboard for trainer Craig Smith. Varatti is a son of Into Mischief who races for Highfield Investment Group, Dialed In Racing Stable, and Smokin Guns Stable.

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