Month: October 2023

Tracy Farmer’s Fev Rover Bests Them All in E.P. Taylor

The trip might have been unusual, but rider Javier Castellano knew what he had under him as Fev Rover (Ire) (m, 5, Gutaifan {Ire}–Laurelita {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) captured Sunday's GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine. The bay showed the way early from the rail, but was quickly under pressure as 50-1 Rocky Sky (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) dogged her from the outside through fractions of :25.66 and :50.29. The rest of the field was strung out and just after the half-mile mark, Fev Rover yielded to let Rocky Sky go while she dropped back to third for about three furlongs. She was far from done, however, and switched outside on the turn to come on again.

Entering the stretch, Fev Rover got the jump several paths to the inside of battling Charlie Appleby trainee With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), a MGSW/MGISP Godolphin homebred, and last year's Queen's Plate winner Moira (Ghostzapper), the reigning Canadian Horse of the Year. She swapped to her wrong lead about a furlong from home, but had the race in hand, prevailing by 2 1/4 lengths while With The Moonlight outgunned Moira. The latter had beaten Fev Rover in their respective last outs, the GII Canadian S. Sept. 9.

Final time for the 1 1/4 miles over the good course was 2:04.20.

“I expected it to be my horse in the lead,” said Castellano. “I felt a lot of pressure outside. I tried to ride a smart race.”

Fev Rover was no slouch before being imported to North America last year. Under the tutelage of Richard Fahey, she had raced in England, Ireland, France, and Bahrain, with her scores including the G2 Ghadwell Prix du Calvados at two and her placings including the G1 QIPCO One Thousand Guineas at three. Fahey, under Musley Bank Stables, consigned her to the 2021 Tattersalls December Mare Sale, where Tracy Farmer picked her up for 695,000gns. Shipped to North American and Mark Casse in 2022, she made just three starts at four, all at Woodbine, defeating Moira in the GII Canadian S. and finishing third via DQ in that year's edition of the E.P. Taylor. She opened her 2023 campaign with guns blazing, starting her year with three consecutive 99 Beyer Speed Figures. With the E.P. Taylor, Fev Rover was adding her second Grade I score following a victory over Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), winner of Saturday's GI First Lady S. at Keeneland, in the GI Beverly D. S. Aug. 12 at Colonial Downs, where she had earned a fees-paid berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She also has captured the GII Nassau S. and finished third in the GI Diana S. at Saratoga this summer.

Casse had indicated prior to the E.P. Taylor that Fev Rover was indeed being pointed to the Filly & Mare Turf, which will be contested Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

 

Pedigree Notes:

Fev Rover is the first top-level winner for Gutaifan (Ire), who stands at Haras des Faunes in France. The MGSW & G1SP stallion has four black-type winners total, with Fev Rover the only one venturing to this side of the pond. The Dark Angel (Ire) sire raced solely at two.

The late Epsom Derby and Breeders' Cup winner High Chaparral (Ire), sire of Fev Rover's dam, has 69 stakes winners out of his daughters. Laurelita (Ire)'s last reported foal is a yearling colt by Gutaifan's sire, Dark Angel. From the extended family of GISW Seek Again (Speightstown), she also has a 2-year-old filly named Leveret (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), who has placed in one start in England this year.

Sunday, Woodbine Racetrack
E.P. TAYLOR S.-GI, C$766,000, Woodbine, 10-8, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 2:04.20, gd.
1–FEV ROVER (IRE), 124, 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)
(£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. C$450,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-U.S., SW & G1SP-Eng, GSW-Fr, GSP-Ire,19-6-4-3, $1,286,834. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–With The Moonlight (Ire), 124, f, 4, by Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Sand Vixen (GB) (GSW-Eng, $119,931), by Dubawi (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Fur Will Fly (GB), by Petong (GB)
                3rd Dam: Bumpkin (GB), by Free State (Ire)
O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charles Appleby. C$150,000.
3–Moira, 124, f, 4, by Ghostzapper
                1st Dam: Devine Aida (MSW & GSP, $273,215), by Unbridled's Song
                2nd Dam: Passion, by Came Home
                3rd Dam: Rajmata, by Known Fact
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables LLC and SF Racing LLC; B-Adena Springs (ON); T-Kevin Attard. C$90,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 3/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 4.05, 2.70, 1.55.
Also Ran: Skims (GB), Kalifornia Queen (Ger), Aspen Grove (Ire), Amazing Grace (Ger), Atomic Blonde (Ger), Consumer Spending, Rocky Sky (Ire).

Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Fev Rover Re-Rallies Under Castellano To Win E.P. Taylor At Woodbine

Tracy Farmer's Fev Rover, an Irish-bred mare by Gutaifan, won Sunday's Grade 1, $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario, leading for the six furlongs, backing up into third position on the turn for home, then re-rallying under Javier Castellano to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

The victory was the first in the race for both Fev Rover's trainer, perennial Woodbine leader Mark Casse, and for New York-based Castellano, who had a productive day north of the border, winning three consecutive races, including the $200,000 Algonquin for the same owner-trainer combination of Farmer and Casse. He added a fourth consecutive win, also for Casse, in the race that followed the E.P. Taylor.

Fev Rover completed 1 1/4 miles on an E.P. Taylor turf course rated “good” in 2:04.20 and paid $10.10 to win.

Godolphin's With the Moonlight, sent to Canada from England by trainer Charles Appleby, finished second as the 5-2 second choice. Moira, the 3-2 favorite, finished third, with 23-1 longshot Skims fourth in the field of 10 fillies and mares.

Breaking from the inside post position, Fev Rover assumed the early lead, but was challenged to her outside by Rocky Sky, one of three entries in the E.P. Taylor for trainer Chad Brown, who's won two of the three previous runnings of the race.

Fev Rover went the opening quarter mile on rain-softened turf in :25.66 and the half in :50.29. Declan Carroll urged 50-1 shot Rocky Sky to take on Fev Rover early , likely trying to soften her up to benefit Consumer Spending, the most fancied of Brown's trio at 6-1. Rocky Sky was in front after six furlongs in 1:14.30, with Fev Rover falling back to third as longshot Skims briefly battled up front with Rocky Sky. Castellano then swung Fev Rover three wide at the top of the stretch and began to move toward the front.

Meanwhile, Moira was rallying five wide at the head of the long stretch and With the Moonlight was also reaching contention. But Fev Rover got the jump on them as Rocky Sky retreated and Consumer Spending failed to menace.

The win was the sixth in 19 starts for Fev Rover, imported to North America in 2022 and winner of the G2 Canadian over this turf  that year. Earlier this year, Fev Rover carried Farmer's black and white colors to victory in the G2 Nassau on yielding turf at Woodbine, then took the G1 Beverly D Stakes at Colonial Downs going wire to wire.

The E.P. Taylor is named for the legendary Canadian horseman and businessman  who bred, owned and stood at stud the influential stallion Northern Dancer.

The post Fev Rover Re-Rallies Under Castellano To Win E.P. Taylor At Woodbine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Fresu Continues Ascent With First North American Grade 1 Win At Santa Anita

Jockey Antonio Fresu, a 31-year-old native of the Italian island Sardinia, has won big races all around the world. Most notably, in 2021 he guided U.S.-based Zenden to victory in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, a Group I at six furlongs on dirt.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, less than six months after arriving in the U.S., Fresu won his first graded stakes in North America with a strong pacesetting ride aboard Chatalas in the Chandelier Stakes (G1) for trainer Mark Glatt. As a Breeders' Cup Challenge “Win & You're In” event, Fresu will now get his first crack at a Breeders' Cup victory in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

“You could see how happy I was right before the wire,” said Fresu, who gave a series of fist pumps at the finish. “I couldn't hold the celebration. To win a graded stakes and have a chance at the Breeders' Cup, it's incredible.”

Fresu added he has always watched the Breeders' Cup, wherever on the globe he has been located.

“We watched it all the time. Things like the Breeders' Cup, Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot, Kentucky Derby (G1)– everyone around the world watches because it is so big. For me to be here and find a filly like this, it's a blessing. It's what I was dreaming of.”

Fresu arrived in the U.S. in April from Dubai, where he normally rides during the winter months. His first domestic win came with his fourth mount on April 29 aboard Trusty Rusty for trainer Doug O'Neill, who played a key role in getting Fresu to the U.S. In recent winters in Dubai, Fresu has been a frequent rider for O'Neill.

Fresu finished the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet, which ended June 18, with 13 wins from 86 mounts (15 percent). It was a solid start to Fresu's U.S. stay, but things would get even better this summer at Del Mar. With agent Tom Knust booking mounts, Fresu finished second in the jockey's standings eight behind Juan Hernandez with 31 wins from 173 mounts, an 18 percent strike rate.

Through the first five days of the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet, Fresu is again second in the jockey's race with seven wins, two fewer than Hernandez.

“Tom Knust, my agent, has done a great job since I've come over here. He's done his best to get me good mounts. Then it's up to me to perform,” he said.

Fresu's quick ascent in the Southern California jockey colony has led to a career choice. He will not return to Dubai this winter. Fresu is staying here.

“No, no, no, I'm staying here,” Fresu said. “I decided after Del Mar I will continue my career riding in the U.S.”

Fresu was married about a year ago. His wife, Veronika, from Norway, has continued to work and reside in her home country. They've managed to see each other a few times this year with Veronika planning to return here at the end of October. But he's not to stay, yet. That will have to come later.
“It's been tough being new here and being alone,” Fresu said. “But I try to just focus on what I'm doing at the track.

“Things couldn't have started any better at Santa Anita.

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Saturday Stakes Runners All Exit In Good Order

Up to the Mark (Not This Time) and Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who finished noses apart in Saturday's GI Coolmore Turf Mile, both exited the race in good order, according to their connections.

“He [Charlie Appleby] usually likes to let the dust settle a couple days after the race and then decide,” traveling lad Chris Connett said.

Following the race Saturday, Appleby indicated Master of The Seas could return to Europe Tuesday or Wednesday or possibly stay here if a Breeders' Cup run is in the cards.

Trainer Todd Pletcher is finalizing travel plans for his Breeders' Cup contingent that likely will include in addition to Up to the Mark, GI Darley Alcibiades winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) along with GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner).

Meanwhile, Baldo Hernandez, assistant to Chad Brown, reported the trainer's three runners from Saturday's GI First Lady S. exited the race in good order with immediate plans to be determined.

Brown did not commit to a next start for GI Champagne runner up General Partner (Speightstown).

“I want to see how he trains a little bit, and see if we want to try two turns now in the Breeders' Cup or wait until next year,” Brown said. “At some point I will try him two turns, he relaxes nicely. He gives me the feeling that he would be able to do it, but we'll have to see if he'll be in the Breeders' Cup or not.”

The Champagne winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Timberlake (Into Mischief), is likely bound for the Breeders' Cup.

“He came back really good,” said Dustin Dugas, assistant to Brad Cox. “He cooled out really good. He heads back to Kentucky today. I was very happy with the way he won and Florent was happy, too. He's just a cool dude. It seems like he's one that can stretch out for sure.”

Bill Mott's War Like Goddess (English Channel) and Just F Y I (Justify) both returned from their respective wins in good order.

At Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert reported 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) and Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso), the one-two finishers in Saturday's GI American Pharoah for 2-year-olds, were both doing well Sunday morning. The same was said by Mark Glatt of Chatalas (Gun Runner), winner of Saturday's GII Chandelier at 1 1/16 miles for 2-year-old fillies.

Both Muth and Wine Me Up will both be pointed to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

“I don't like to look too far ahead until I see them work back, but that's the plan for now,” Baffert said.

As for Chatalas: “She's in good shape,” Glatt said. “Things worked out for her yesterday. We always thought she'd be better at two turns, but I don't believe it until I see it. She proved what we thought.”

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