In the final stages of Sunday’s $500,000 Beverly D. at Colonial Downs, Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing’s Moira laid her heart on the line to beat out the defending winner Fev Rover by a head.
Moira, Canada’s Horse of the Year of 2022, returned $3.40 for the win. With her Beverly D. victory, the 5-year-old Ghostzapper mare earned a spot in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) in November at Del Mar via the Breeders’ Cup Challenger “Win and You’re In.” It would be her third appearance in the Filly and Mare Turf and she would look to improve on her close third place finish to Inspiral in last year’s edition.
Moira, who was bred in Ontario by Adena Springs from the Unbridled’s Song mare Devine Aida, improved her record to 18-6-5-2 and now has purse earnings totaling $1,823,999. She was purchased for $150,000 out of the Hidden Brook Farm consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September sale.
Trained by Kevin Attard and with Jose Ortiz in the irons, Moria covered the 1 3/16 miles distance over firm turf in 1:54.80.
“It’s always nerve wracking when you hook Fev Rover,” Attard said. “She’s a great horse and Mark (trainer Casse) has done a great job with her. Last year at Woodbine, we hooked her a couple times on soft turf. I think Fev Rover gets the edge over us on softer ground but Moira prefers the harder turf.
“We contemplated not coming here because of Tropical Storm Debby, but we rolled the dice. I’ve never been (to Colonial Downs), but I had heard great things about this turf course that it drains well. I know Woodbine has got a great turf course but Colonial is probably one of the best in North America as well. We’ve got the E.P Taylor at home. I think that’s a race we are going to take into consideration and that would take us right into the Breeders’ Cup.”
Similar to how she won the 2023 Beverly D., Fev Rover took the early advantage and led the field of fillies and mares through a quick opening fraction of :23.56 before slowing the pace down and clocking a half-mile in :49.22. Moira tracked comfortably in third. Libban stalked the leader and made her move ahead of the far turn, forcing Fev Rover to quicken. Moira followed suit, passing Libban in the far turn. With the long stretch ahead of them, Moira hounded Fev Rover before finally getting even in the final strides to beat her foe across the finish line.
Finishing 1¾ lengths behind the top pair, Neecie Marie rolled late to beat out Nadette for third.
-edited from www.paulickreport.com
