Colonial Downs Hosts Thrilling Finishes in Grade 2 Stakes Races
(August 13, 2024 – Colonial Downs, VA) The Colonial Downs racetrack played host to a pair of gripping finishes in the Grade 2 stakes races on Sunday, captivating the attention of the horse racing enthusiasts.
In the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes, the Ontario-bred mare Moira staged a gutsy performance to edge out the defending champion Fev Rover by a head. Owned by Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing, the 5-year-old mare trained by Kevin Attard and ridden by Jose Ortiz 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. But Moira prefers the harder turf, and she was able to prevail in this epic finish.”
Similar to her 2023 Beverly D. victory, Fev Rover took the early lead, but Moira tracked her closely and surged in the final strides to secure the win, evening their head-to-head rivalry at 3-3. Finishing third was Neecie Marie, who rolled late to beat out Nadette.
The win in the Beverly D. Stakes has earned Moira a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on November 2 at Del Mar. Attard mentioned they may also consider the E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine as a prep race.
In the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2), the 3-year-old colt Trikari, owned by Amerman Racing and trained by Graham Motion, dominated the field, holding off the late charge of the post-time favorite Brilliant Berti to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Ridden by John Velazquez, Trikari covered the one-mile distance in 1:34.92.
“Johnny was super impressed with his turn of foot,” Motion said. “I think as Trikari matures and starts to run against older horses, he’s going to have to step up his game, but the one-mile distance is really going to be his game.”
Trikari, a son of 2017 Secretariat winner Oscar Performance, now boasts three graded stakes victories on his resume of 8 starts: 5 wins, 1 second, and 1 third. Motion indicated they will likely target a race at Keeneland as a potential Breeders’ Cup prep for the promising 3-year-old.
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