WILKES-BARRE PA – In her last start, April Ava had to set wickedly fast fractions and tired a bit in the stretch; on Sunday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, her swift foot could be put to better advantage, and she won the $19,300 featured distaff pace in 1:51.3.
April Ava was sent to the lead past the 1/8 pole by Matt Kakaley, and the daughter of Delmarvalous was able to control the throttle with reasonable fractions of :27.2, :56, and 1:24.1. Surreal Feeling was lurking in the pocket and came on quickly at the end, but Aril Ava paced out the mile in :27.2 to win by a half length. The Ron Burke trainee, owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC, now has career earnings of $201,152.