Caren aims to rebound in Lady Angela Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Caren was dominant against restricted company as a 2-year-old in 2015 and will make her local 3-year-old debut in Sunday’s $125,000 Lady Angela Stakes at Woodbine.

The Lady Angela is restricted to Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies and will be run over seven furlongs on the Tapeta main track.

Caren won five of her six starts last season, with her lone defeat coming at the hands of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Catch a Glimpse in the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes on turf at Woodbine last September. Four of Caren’s wins in 2015 came in stakes races, including the Princess Elizabeth Stakes over 1 1/16 miles.

But Caren’s 3-year-old debut in the Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 19 didn’t go as smoothly as her 2015 season did. Caren was close to the pace early in the six-furlong sprint but weakened and was eased. Her performance left trainer Michael De Paulo trying to figure out what went wrong.

“I’m still in shock over that race,” he said. “I don’t know if she just got confused or if she didn’t handle the surface, but it certainly wasn’t the Caren that I know.”

Since the Any Limit, De Paulo said Caren has been doing well.

“She’s been training great,” De Paulo said. “I’m really happy with her.”

Key Contenders

Caren, by Society’s Chairman

Last 3 Beyers: 28-78-73

◗ She should have a tactical advantage after drawing outside of the speed runner Old Valyria on the rail. She tracked pacesetters in three of her five wins last year but also can win on the lead.

Crumlin Spirit, by Court Vision

Last 3 Beyers: 70-66-63

◗ She was rallying late behind Old Valyria in her seasonal debut April 10 over five furlongs and should relish the extra ground and speed to chase. She finished second to Caren twice by narrow margins in stakes races as a maiden last season.

Neshama, by Sligo Bay

Last 3 Beyers: 61-67-38

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Trainer Catherine Day Phillips is 6 for 14 with horses making a sprint start off a 61-to-180-day layoff over the past three years, with a return on investment of $4.37. Day Phillips’s first starter of the meet, Peggy O, won with this angle April 22.

Trini Brewnette, by Milwaukee Brew

Last 3 Beyers: 61-47-50

◗ Winner of the South Ocean Stakes last November over 1 1/16 miles, Trini Brewnette won two of her three starts last season and has some winter foundation underneath her after training at Gulfstream Park.