McAvoy wins an allowance Oct. 6, 2024, at Woodbine (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO – McAvoy, trained by Mark Casse, will face 11 foes in Saturday’s $100,000 Niagara Stakes at Woodbine.
A 4-year-old son of Free Drop Billy out of the English Channel mare Araminta, McAvoy brings a record of 3-2-0 from 12 starts, along with $116,073 in purse earnings, into his first stakes engagement, a 1 ¼-mile race over the E.P. Taylor turf for 3-year-olds and up.
In his previous race, on July 13, he was fifth in a 1 1/8-mile main track race that was originally scheduled for the turf. It marked the chestnut gelding’s first time racing on a surface other than grass.
“Obviously, he prefers the turf, but he came with a nice run and finished well,” said Kathryn Sullivan, assistant trainer to Casse’s Woodbine string. “I think he needs a little more distance, so this race, being on the grass at one and quarter miles, is a good spot for him.”
Bred in Kentucky by Mike Erwin and Rhonda Erwin, who also co-own with Mark David Hixson, McAvoy made his debut on December 15, 2023, at Fair Grounds.
Sent off at 43-1, he held a head advantage at the stretch call in the 1 1/16-mile turf race and went on to win by the same margin in 1:48.02 over firm ground.
McAvoy’s next trip to the winner’s circle came at Woodbine on October 6, 2024, in a one-mile race on the E.P. Taylor turf. He doubled up with a 1 ¼-length victory over the Tampa Bay turf in his 4-year-old debut this March, also at one mile.
“It seems as though he appreciates a little give to the ground,” said Sullivan. “Those back-to-back wins came over good going, and he’s shown an affinity for that throughout his career. But he seems to be able to tackle whatever the turf is listed at.
“He’s also shown the ability to come with a strong late run, which we hope he can do on Saturday. The long stretch is going to play to his strengths.”
On July 4, McAvoy breezed four furlongs in :50.00 over the Woodbine main track.
“He’s doing very well and has held his form,” said Sullivan. “We’re very happy with the way he’s coming into the race.”
Johnny Bottoni is the groom.
Fans can wager on all the action via HPIbet.com and bet365.com. The wagering menu for the Niagara includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10), $1 Swinger.
First post is 1:05 p.m.
Field for the $100,000 Niagara Stakes – Race 8
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Frosted Over – Xarel Forde – Marty Drexler
2 – Twowaycrossing – Keveh Nicholls – Roger Attfield
3 – Lac Macaza –Eric Cancel – Marty Drexler
4 – Dancin in Da’nile – Jose Campos – Gail Cox
5 – Roscar – Pietro Moran – Rachel Halden
6 – Stanley House – Leo Salles – Mike De Paulo
7 – McAvoy – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse
8 – Legal Catch – Fraser Aebly – Harold Ladouceur
9 – Public Sector (GB) – Jalon Samuel – Saffie Joseph, Jr.
10 – Never Surprised – Patrick Husbands – Kevin Attard
11 – Ron’s Gizmo – Rafael Hernandez – Ron Sadler
12 – Atlast (FR) – Ryan Munger – Graham Motion
