Fev Rover triumphs in the Nassau under Patrick Husbands (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Fev Rover (IRE) provided trainer Mark Casse with a Canada Day graded stakes hat trick after winning the one-mile $175,000 Nassau (G2T) Stakes for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up, Saturday afternoon at Woodbine.
Making her fourth consecutive start on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, Fev Rover (IRE) watched from mid-pack as longshot Sister Lou Ann grabbed the early advantage. Scotish Star (ARG) sat second with Sweet Enough (GB) positioned third and 4-5 choice Moira fourth through an opening panel over yielding turf in :24.34.
It was status quo among the top four after a half in :48.50, while Patrick Husbands, aboard Fev Rover (IRE), was unhurried at the back of the pack in ninth.
Poised to the outside in seventh entering the turn for home, Fev Rover (IRE) got her cue and responded with an explosive turn of foot, striking front and then holding a half-length lead at Robert Geller’s stretch call.
At the wire, the 5-year-old daughter of Gutaifan (IRE)-Laurelita (IRE) was 4 ¼ lengths in front of Moira, who finished 1 ½ lengths ahead of Millie Girl. Devil’s Bit was fourth.
Eminent Victor, Scotish Star (ARG), Purrfect, Sweet Enough (GB) and Sister Lou Ann rounded out the field.
The final time was 1:40.03, the result of a heavy downpour in the leadup to the race.
“I was on the best side of the track on the wide outside and those guys keep on rolling, rolling, rolling,” said Husbands. “My horse enjoyed it on the wide outside. I’m just thinking just cut corners, cut corners, then open her up.
“You get to ride good horses, they make you look good. You can do what you want to do. The race went well for me and I’m happy for Mark and the owner.”
Bred by Manister House Stud, the bay mare, who endured a rough trip in her previous race, when she finished fourth but was elevated to third in the E.P. Taylor (G1T) in October, is now 4-4-2 from 15 starts.
Owned by Tracy Farmer, Fev Rover (IRE) paid $9.10 for the win.
Casse took three of the five Woodbine graded stakes on Saturday. Earlier in the card, Solo Album romped in the $150,000 Selene (G3) and Lucky Score won the $200,000 Highlander (G2T). He also won the fourth race with Queen Judith.
