Avana romps in River Rock Casino Stakes; August Rain takes Ross McLeod

Avana sat patiently and well back before commencing a breathtaking move coming to the quarter pole and then circling the field and winning by 8 lengths in the River Rock Casino Stakes at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday.

Avana covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.68 and was popular at the windows, paying $3.50 to win. Amadeo Perez rode the winner for owner Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd. and trainer Barbara Heads.

Lonie Mo was the longest shot in the field and she came from well back to be second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Viva La Diva, who was third.

Avana is by Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Vino Rosso, and from the After Market mare, Revealing Moment. The win was worth $27,500 to the filly, who sold for $150,000 in March of 2023.

In the Ross McLeod, it was another Heads trainee, August Rain, also ridden by Perez, who was a prompt winner by 1 1/2 lengths and returning $6.60 as the betting favorite. Front-runner Wealthy Texan, trained by Mel Snow, held on well to be second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Vector, who ran third.

August Rain is also owned by Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd. and the gelding covered the 6 1/2-furlong distance in 1:16.74 over the fast surface. The runner is by popular B.C. Sire, Sungold, and from the Super Saver mare, Bitatude. The gelding was winning his fourth stakes in his seventh career start.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.