Fev Rover, Moira Renew Rivalry in Beverly D.

Following a pair of consecutive defeats to kick off her 6-year-old campaign, Fev Rover  attempts to rebound by defending her title in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs Aug. 11.

Originally scheduled for Aug. 10 as part of Colonial's Festival of Racing stakes program, the card was moved to Sunday after heavy rain was forecast due to Tropical Storm Debby.

One year ago, Fev Rover earned the first grade 1 victory of her career in the Beverly D. during a season that culminated in Sovereign Award honors as Canada's Horse of the Year, and trainer Mark Casse is confident she can do it again.

"We think she'll be tough (to beat)," Casse said. "We could have some give in the ground, which doesn't hurt our feelings."

Although the 1 3/16-mile event was downgraded one tier since that effort, it still proves an important stop for top turf fillies and mares as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The victor earns an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2.

Last year, that automatic spot yielded an 11th-place effort from the daughter of Gutaifan . A win here would give owner Tracy Farmer and Casse a chance to avenge that defeat.

"We felt she is a year older and it has been tougher to get her back to her top form this year," Casse said. "But we feel she is training better coming into this year's (Beverly D.) than she was ahead of last year's, so we're expecting a big effort.

Entering off a runner-up performance in Woodbine's Nassau Stakes (G2T) June 29, Fev Rover reunites with jockey Javier Castellano, who guided her to the Beverly D. winner's circle last year.

Five challengers stand in her path, including fellow Canadian resident Moira , who was named Canada's Horse of the Year in 2022 on the heels of her defeat of the boys in the Queen's Plate Stakes for trainer Kevin Attard. Moira was cross-entered in the Aug. 10 Canadian Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine but was scratched, leaving the Beverly D. as her target.

Moira and Fev Rover have entered the same starting gate five times, with Fev Rover holding the edge 3-2. Yet it is Moira who is slightly favored on the morning line for owners Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.

In her first start since a third in the Breeders' Cup last November, the daughter of Ghostzapper   was second, beaten three-quarters of a length by Whitebeam  in the July 13 Diana Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course. Jose Ortiz ships in to ride, the mare's fourth different rider in as many starts.

Challenging the Canadian Stars

While the two millionaire Canadians try to settle their rivalry, Nadette 's connections are hoping to translate her local win in the Beverly D. Preview Stakes into success in the main event.

After losing her first nine starts after relocating to America from Europe, the daughter of Outstrip  has won two of her last three. Her July 13 score over the soft Colonial turf was a visually impressive draw away by 4 3/4 lengths. The 5-year-old mare races in the colors of Stepaside Farm for the first time.

C2 Racing Stable and Paul Braverman's Libban  experienced a reversal in form since switching to the turf two starts ago and enters off a stakes victory at Lone Star Park.

Graded winners Neecie Marie  and Mission of Joy  round out the field.

Libban and Mission of Joy were scratched from Saturday's Canadian Stakes.