Dover, DE — After winning the Kentucky Golden Rod Series final and finishing third behind Papi Grad in her first Grand Circuit assignment, Faze captured the biggest win of her career to date when she nabbed Rose up the open stretch in the $133,100 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies, held Wednesday (Nov. 13) at Bally’s Dover.
Faze and driver Tim Tetrick asserted themselves early, dueling through the first turn with 2-5 favorite Rose (driven by Yannick Gingras) before yielding for the pocket at the end of a :26.4 first quarter. Rose and Faze continued one-two through a :56.1 half before Pilar Hanover mounted a first-over push into second up the backstretch and forced a :28.2 third sectional.
On the final turn, Rose shrugged off Pilar Hanover’s challenge, but Faze, poised to pounce up the open stretch turning for home, rallied to collar the favorite up the inside in the final yards to win by a neck in 1:53.1. Lyons Benz (Corey Callahan) finished a ground-saving third, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.
Nancy Takter trains Faze, who competes as a homebred for Diamond Creek Racing, Farhi Standardbreds and Spreydon Racing. The Sweet Lou-Darlinonthebeach filly has won four of seven career starts, has earned $120,650. As the 7-2 second choice, she returned $9.00 to win.