Fev Rover noses Crystal Cliffs in Canadian Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Fev Rover edged out the favored Maryland shipper Crystal Cliffs after a tooth-and-nail stretch battle in the Grade 2, $200,400 Canadian on Sunday’s Queen’s Plate undercard at Woodbine.

Fev Rover traded places on the front end with Angelou through the turn, while Crystal Cliffs bided her time in fifth on the backstretch of the about nine-furlong turf event for fillies and mares.

Crystal Cliffs began to mount a wide rally entering the stretch and then joined Fev Rover on the lead before they dueled to the wire. Fev Rover nailed the bob perfectly and won by a nose, in a time of 1:47.33.

Flirting Bridge finished another three-quarters of a length back in third as the 2-1 second choice. She was followed by Bellagamba, Barkin, Munnyfor Ro, Keyflower and Angelou.

Patrick Husbands rode Fev Rover and Rafael Hernandez, who subsequently won the Queen’s Plate on Moira, was on Crystal Cliffs. Winning trainer Mark Casse felt that Fev Rover had prevailed when they crossed the wire.

“I thought our filly had her head down,” Casse said. “It was a gutsy run by her coming back, and a great ride by Patrick.”

Irish-bred Fev Rover returned $11.10 in her second start on this side of the pond. The 4-year-old banked $120,000 for owner Tracy Farmer.

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