Caren prevails as heavy favorite in Victorian Queen

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The heavily favored Caren did just enough to get the job done Saturday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Victorian Queen Stakes, scoring by three-quarters of a length over Crumlin Spirit.

Caren joined Pure Purity on the lead after about an eighth of a mile, and they proceeded to duel through fractions of 23.08 seconds and 46.12 in the six-furlong dash for Ontario-sired 2-year-old fillies.

Crumlin Spirit, a stakes-placed maiden, stalked in fourth on the turn and awaited room early in the stretch before surging late. Sparkles’ Girl finished another length back in third in the six-horse field.

The final time was 1:10.46.

Jesse Campbell rode Caren for trainer Mike DePaulo. Campbell said she rated kindly in the early going.

“She was in my hands down the backside, but there was nothing rank about it,” said Campbell. “She listens to me and waits until I give her the cues. She’s a little racehorse.”

Caren ($3.10) earned $75,000 in her third stakes triumph for owner Robert Marzilli.