Calling Rhy Rhy stretches out in Carotene Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Calling Rhy Rhy, a two-time stakes winner this season, will look to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes when she runs in Sunday’s $150,000 Carotene Stakes for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies over about 1 1/8 miles on turf at Woodbine.

Calling Rhy Rhy will race beyond a mile for the first time in the Carotene. Trainer Roger Attfield said the added distance will be a big test for her.

“There’s two things that are a question in my mind at this moment,” he said. “One is the mile and an eighth, which I’m not 100 percent sure about. The other is how much rain we’re going to get and if that turf gets soft.”

Steady rain fell in the Toronto area on Thursday and was expected for Friday. If the turf were to come up soft, Attfield said there was a good chance he would scratch Calling Rhy Rhy from the Carotene. But should the race be forced off the turf and onto the Tapeta at 1 1/8 miles, Attfield said Calling Rhy Rhy would remain in the field.

Carotene Stakes, Race 8

Key Contenders

Calling Rhy Rhy, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 75-85-79

◗ Attfield said Calling Rhy Rhy has been doing well since the Ontario Colleen on Sept. 24. She disputed the early pace in that race, and Attfield said a change in tactics might be required to get Calling Rhy Rhy to stretch out to 1 1/8 miles.

“She probably doesn’t want to be ridden quite that way going that far,” he said.

Caren, by Society’s Chairman

Last 3 Beyers: 90-82-85

◗ She extended her winning streak to three with a front-running score in the Ontario Colleen, her first graded stakes win.

◗ She likely will be sent right to the front again under jockey Jesse Campbell. The 1 1/8 miles shouldn’t be of much concern because she won going 1 1/4 miles on turf in the Wonder Where Stakes on Aug. 7.

Shake Down Baby, by Wando

Last 3 Beyers: 90-81-80

◗ She was nosed out by Caren in the Ontario Colleen. She should be able to sit right off her rival in the early going and be the first to pounce should Caren not be at her best.