By Stefanie Grimm
NEW KENT, VA–Fev Rover (Ire) is headed West.
With a win in Saturday's GI Beverly D. S., another line of history was written in the storied legacy of thoroughbred racing in Virginia.
Colonial's first Grade I race attracted a field of just five going 1 3/16 miles over the famed Secretariat turf course. And with the Friday night defection of her main rival Didia (Arg) (Orpen), Fev Rover took full advantage and asserted her dominance. In doing so, she booked herself a fees-paid spot in November's GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Allowed to roll on the front end under Javier Castellano, the Irish-bred mare absolutely walked through fractions of :25.12 and :50.10. With plenty left in her legs for the run in, Fev Rover hugged the rail, kept a closing Gina Romantica (Into Mischief) from coming through, and then kicked clear to the wire for the easiest of wins.
“She really started to pick it up,” said Castellano, who rode his second straight winner after taking the GII Secretariat S. aboard longshot Gigante (Not This Time). “And by the way she finished, I think she was best in the race. I feel like I had the best horse in the race.”
Trainer Mark Casse was all smiles following the race and held his charge in high praise.
“There wasn't a lot of speed,” he said. “The thing about her is she's very versatile so she can do whatever you want. If the pace is fast, she'll sit back. If it isn't, she'll be on the lead. She's a good horse and that's what good horses do. You know, actually she could be pushing a really good horse.”
“I told my wife this morning,” he added. “I said, we're going to win. I was pretty confident and I'm not one to be like that.”
When asked about her next steps towards the Breeders' Cup, Casse said, “I”ll have to talk it over with the owners and we'll come up with a game plan. She's like a couple of good mares like Tepin. They like to run. We'll figure out what's the best way to get her there [the Breeders' Cup].”
Pedigree Note:
A 695,000gns purchase out of the 2021 Tattersalls December Mare Sale, Fev Rover is from the family of GI Hollywood Derby winner Seek Again (Speightstown). She is the sole graded/group winner for sire Gutaifan (Ire), a son of Dark Angel (Ire). Her dam has an Invincible Army (Ire) 2-year-old and reported a colt by Dark Angel last year.
Saturday, Colonial Downs
BEVERLY D. S.-GI, $500,000, Colonial Downs, 8-12, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/16mT, 1:54.35, fm.
1–FEV ROVER (IRE), 125, m, 5, by Gutaifan (Ire)
1st Dam: Laurelita (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Chervil (GB), by Dansili (GB)
3rd Dam: Nashmeel, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
1ST GRADE I WIN. (£20,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR; 695,000gns 3yo '21 TATMA). O-Tracy Farmer; B-Manister House Stud (IRE); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Javier Castellano. $310,000. Lifetime Record: 17-5-4-3, $948,776. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gina Romantica, 123, f, 4, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Special Me, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Delta Danielle, by Lord Avie
3rd Dam: Domasco Danielle, by Same Direction
($1,025,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Peter M. Brant; B-Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden & Craig Brogden (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $100,000.
3–Romagna Mia (GB), 123, f, 4, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Washington Blue (GB), by Rip Van Winkle (Ire)
2nd Dam: Powder Blue (GB), by Daylami (Ire)
3rd Dam: Blue Duster, by Danzig
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (3,000gns RNA Ylg '20 TAOCT; €29,000 2yo '21 ARQDEA; €500,000 3yo '22 ARQDEC). O-Team Valor International, LLC; B-Cavendish Bloodstock (GB); T-H. Graham Motion. $50,000.
Margins: 3HF, 2 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.60, 1.90, 5.90.
Also Ran: Mise En Scene (GB), Jan's Girl. Scratched: Didia (Arg), Rocky Sky (Ire).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
.@jjcjockey gets another exciting win at Colonial Downs, taking the G1 Beverly D. Stakes aboard #1 Fev Rover for trainer Mark Casse! 🏆@NTomlinson0610
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/LQMgvhsSNy
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 12, 2023
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