After starting her 6-year-old season with back-to-back defeats, Fev Rover is looking to bounce back by defending her title in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs on August 11.

Originally slated for August 10 as part of Colonial's Festival of Racing, the race was postponed to Sunday due to heavy rain expected from Tropical Storm Debby.

Last year, Fev Rover secured her first Grade 1 win in the Beverly D., capping off a season that earned her the Sovereign Award as Canada’s Horse of the Year. Trainer Mark Casse is optimistic about her chances to repeat that success.

"We think she'll be tough to beat," Casse said. "We might get some softer ground, which doesn't bother us."

Despite being downgraded to a Grade 2 this year, the 1 3/16-mile Beverly D. remains a significant race for top turf fillies and mares, as it's part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The winner earns an automatic, fees-paid entry to the $2,000,000 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar on November 2.

Last year, Fev Rover claimed that spot but finished 11th in the Breeders' Cup. A victory this time would give owner Tracy Farmer and Casse a shot at redemption.

"We knew it would be tougher to get her back to top form this year since she's a year older," Casse explained. "But we believe she's training better now than she was before last year’s Beverly D., so we're expecting a strong performance."

Fev Rover enters the race after a runner-up finish in the Nassau Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine on June 29. She will reunite with jockey Javier Castellano, who rode her to victory in the Beverly D. last year.

Standing in her way are five competitors, including Moira, another Canadian standout who was named Canada’s Horse of the Year in 2022 after defeating the boys in the Queen’s Plate Stakes for trainer Kevin Attard. Moira is also cross-entered in the Canadian Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine on August 10.

Fev Rover and Moira have faced off five times, with Fev Rover holding a 3-2 edge. However, Moira is slightly favored on the morning line, representing owners Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing.

In her first start since finishing third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup, Moira was a close second, beaten by three-quarters of a length by Whitebeam in the Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on July 13. Jose Ortiz will ride her, marking her fourth different jockey in as many starts.

While these two Canadian stars renew their rivalry, Nadette’s connections hope her local victory in the Beverly D. Preview Stakes will translate into success in the main event.

After nine consecutive losses following her move from Europe to the U.S., the daughter of Outstrip has won two of her last three starts. Her July 13 win on soft turf at Colonial Downs was particularly impressive, as she pulled away to win by 4 3/4 lengths. The 5-year-old mare will race under the colors of Stepaside Farm for the first time.

Another contender is C2 Racing Stable and Paul Braverman’s Libban, who has found new life since switching to turf, coming into the race off a stakes win at Lone Star Park.