Fev Rover aims for repeat in Canadian

Fev Rover, who has emerged this season as one of North America's leading older turf mares, returns to action Saturday in the C$200,000 Canadian (G2) at Woodbine.

Trained by Mark Casse, Fev Rover kicked off her five-year-old campaign on July 1 with an emphatic 4 1/4-length triumph over reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Moira in the one-mile Nassau (G2). Only a half-length behind the Chad Brown-trained pair of Whitebeam and In Italian in the Diana (G1) next out, Fev Rover rebounded with a wire-to-wire score in the Beverly D. (G1) at Colonial Downs, for which she earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Santa Anita.

"Honestly, I've just been over the moon with all three of her performances this year," Casse said.

Winner of last year's Canadian by a nose for her first North American victory, Fev Rover reunites Saturday with jockey Patrick Husbands.

The Canadian, contested at about 1 1/8 miles, is the leading prep for the 1 1/4-mile E.P. Taylor (G1) next month.

"I wanted two more races into her before the Breeders' Cup," Casse in regards to Fev Rover. "I thought the E.P. Taylor would be a good one for her, and I would like to try and win that. I thought the race this Saturday would set up nicely for her."

Moira, whose last win came in the Queen's Plate last August, has finished second in all three starts this term. Preceding her effort in the Nassau was a neck loss in the Belle Mahone (G3) over Woodbine's main track. Last out, Moira earned silver again in the Dance Smartly (G2), finishing in between the winning Miss Dracarys and third-placer Ready Lady.

Also among the field of seven are former Grade/Group winners Skims and Atomic Blonde.