Colonial Downs: Fev wins Bev; Gigante upsets Secretariat

Fev Rover earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf courtesy of a gate-to-wire effort Saturday in the Grade 1, $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial Downs.

The 5-year-old Gutaifan mare who was bred in Ireland and is owned by Tracy Farmer broke sharply from post 1 in the field of five, slowed the tempo after gaining control and triggered slow, early fractions of 25.12 and 50.10 seconds.

Fev Rover picked it up at the head of the stretch after a brief challenge from Gina Romantica and cruised home to a 3 1/2-length triumph that was clocked at 1:54.35. The win, her fifth overall, pushed her bankroll to $948,776.

Fev Rover took a solid third most recently in the Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, finishing just a half-length behind. That was followed by a 4-1/2 length score in the Nassau Stakes (G2) at Woodbine.

Javier Castellano, who directed Secretariat (G2) winner Gigante in the previous race, rode the Beverly D. winner for trainer Mark Casse, who had three wins during the afternoon to run his meet-leading total to eight.

"When we flew here this morning, Javier and I talked about there not being a lot of speed in the race," Casse said. "Fev Rover is very versatile, and she can do whatever you want. If the pace is fast, she can sit back and wait, and if it isn't, she'll be in the lead. She's a good horse, and that's what good horses do. She could be pushing to be a really good horse. She shows up every time."

Casse felt Fev Rover's last two races showed that she could compete at the top level.

"In the Diana, she showed that she belonged," he said. "She was dominant in the Nassau and beat a pretty good group, but that was only one turn. She came back two weeks after that. (The late trainer) Allen Jerkens always told me, 'I don't understand trainers. They want to give them a rest, when they're running good. Give them a rest, instead, when they are running bad.' So I run them. The Diana told me she was a Breeders' Cup horse. I told Mr. Farmer after that race that we had a Cup horse."

Sent off as the 3-5 post-time favorite, Fev Rover paid $3.20, $2.10 and $2.10. Gina Romantica returned $2.40 and $2.10. It was another 2 1/4 lengths to third-place finisher Romagna Mia who paid $2.10. Mise En Scene and Jan’s Girl completed the order of finish.

Gigante pulls off 22-1 upset in Secretariat

Virginia-bred Gigante made his triumphant return to the winner’s circle by pulling a massive, 22-1 upset victory in the Secretariat.

Gigante, the 2022 Virginia-bred champion 2-year-old, was ridden by Castellano for trainer Steve Asmussen and covered the one-mile over firm going in 1:35.10.

“I feel blessed Mr. Asmussen gave me the opportunity to ride that horse," Castellano said. "I think I got along pretty good with him in the post parade. He acted very professionally. I had the best trip in the race. (I was) where I wanted to be today. There seemed to be a lot of speed in the race. I tried to use my patience. He broke so well from the gate and put me in good position. I just took my time and rode with a lot of patience, a lot of confidence and had the best result today.”

Mo Stash was hustled hard from the starting gate and was joined by the forward-placed Major Dude as they entered the first turn. Following an opening quarter-mile in 23.67 seconds, Gigante was positioned in last but only 3 1/2 lengths off the lead.

The field began to bunch entering the second turn after a half-mile in 48.03 seconds, and Castellano began asking Gigante for his best run. At the quarter pole, Gigante made a bold bid for the lead and took command into the lane but had to hold off the late charge of Nagirroc. Gigante kept finding more on the lead and was able to hold his rival at bay by a neck.

It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Silver Knott in third who was followed in order by Major Dude, Northern Invader and Mo Stash.

Gigante, the longest-priced horse in the field of six 3-year-olds, paid $47.80, $15.20 and $5.00. Nagirroc, under Flavien Prat, paid $3.80 and $2.60. Silver Knott, who was ridden by Jamie Spencer, returned $2.80.

With his victory in the Secretariat Stakes, Gigante improved his record to 9: 4-0-1 and boosted his purse earnings to $583,550.