Caren makes 4-year-old debut in Whimsical Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Caren, the 2016 Canadian Horse of the Year, will make her 4-year-old debut Sunday on Woodbine’s Tapeta main track in the Grade 3, $125,000 Whimsical Stakes, which drew a strong field of eight older fillies and mares to go six furlongs.

The Whimsical will be Caren’s first start since she finished 11th in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25.

“At Churchill, [jockey Jesse Campbell] thought she didn’t handle that turf course,” trainer Mike De Paulo said. “She switched leads all over the place and just wasn’t comfortable. I think she was a little over the top, too.”

Another big season could be in store for Caren, who did not race over the winter following a busy nine-race 3-year-old campaign. De Paulo said the Whimsical was a logical starting point ahead of a potential start in the Grade 2 Nassau Stakes over a mile on turf here May 27.

“We’re running her three-quarters in the Whimsical to get her started and go from there,” he said. “We’re going to see if she can come from off the pace. The only [route] race for her is that grass race going a mile on May 27. She’s a high-energy horse, and she’ll kill somebody if we wait that long.”

Whimsical Stakes, Race 7

Key Contenders

Caren, by Society’s Chairman
Last 3 Beyers: 36-84-88

◗ Her last sprint race came in the Lady Angela Stakes last May over seven furlongs, where she lost a late lead to Crumlin Spirit. She did win four sprint starts as a 2-year-old in 2015, with three of those wins in stakes.

River Maid, by Where’s the Ring
Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-93

◗ She won the Grade 2 Bessarabian Stakes in her final start of 2016 last November to secure her Canadian female sprint championship.

◗ She fired fresh last season, winning her first three starts of the year for trainer Robert Tiller, who won last weekend’s Jacques Cartier Stakes with Pink Lloyd.

Southern Ring, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-85

◗ She won the Grade 3 Ontario Fashion Stakes at this distance last season and later finished a neck behind River Maid in the Bessarabian.

◗ She does have the benefit of a winter foundation after making two starts at Tampa Bay Downs.

Galina Point, by Saffir
Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-82

◗ She finished second behind Leigh Court in this event last season and won a six-furlong allowance race while turning back in distance last October.

◗ With her rail draw, she figures to be in a good stalking position turning for home.