Caren looks to stay perfect in Nandi Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Shady Well Stakes winner Caren will look to remain unbeaten when she takes on six other Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies in Monday’s $125,000 Nandi Stakes at Woodbine.
The first winner and first stakes winner by freshman Ontario sire Society’s Chairman, Caren has stalked and pounced in the stretch under jockey Jesse Campbell in each of her two career starts, earning a 52 Beyer Speed Figure in her debut and a 73 Beyer in the Shady Well Stakes. In the Shady Well, she put away pacesetter Get Rhythm at the eighth pole and held off a surging Crumlin Spirit in the final sixteenth to win by a head.
“She’s been really good,” said trainer Michael De Paulo. “We’re very happy with her.”
Caren comes into the Nandi on the strength of a sharp five-furlong breeze in 59.60 seconds on the main track here last Monday and will carry the high weight of 121 pounds.
Key Contenders
Caren (Last 2 Beyers: 73-52)
* Caren’s outside draw should be beneficial, as she can sit just off likely pacesetter Keeplaffinleslie before making her move in the stretch.
DRF Formulator Fact: De Paulo has a 14 percent strike rate from 37 starters with 2-year-olds in non-graded stakes, with a return on investment of $1.34.
Marilyns Last Love (Last Beyer: 57)
* Took tote support in her career debut July 12, when she was shut off at the break but came with a strong run along the outside to win.
* She posted a quick four-furlong work July 27 and gets the services of Alan Garcia, the meet’s leading stakes rider.
Shake Down Baby (Last 2 Beyers: 61-44)
* She broke in the air in her career debut June 27, spotting the field 10 lengths in the 4 1/2-furlong sprint, but managed to rally to finish just 2 1/4 lengths behind the winner, Keeplaffinleslie. Most recently, she was fourth behind Caren in the Shady Well.
Keeplaffinleslie (Last 2 Beyers: 52-42)
* She couldn’t hold off Caren in the late going of her career debut June 6 but came back to win her most recent start June 27 over 4 1/2 furlongs in gate-to-wire fashion.
* Keeplaffinleslie likely will set the pace under jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson for trainer John Ross, who has a 29 percent strike rate in 2-year-old non-graded stakes over the past five years, according to DRF Formulator.