Caren tests two turns in Princess Elizabeth Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Caren has recorded four wins in five starts to begin her career and will look to win her first start around two turns in Sunday’s $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over 1 1/16 miles for Canadian-bred 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.
Caren has been dominant against restricted company in sprints this year, winning the Shady Well, Nandi, and Victorian Queen stakes. In her lone start against open company, Caren finished third in the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes over a mile on turf. She then shortened up to six furlongs to capture the Victorian Queen by three-quarters of a length Oct. 10 in her most recent start.
Trainer Mike De Paulo said he has no concerns about stretching her out to two turns.
“I guess her father was best as a miler, but he did win stakes going two turns,” he said of the filly by Society’s Chairman. “I would have liked to have gone two turns after a race like the Natalma, but there were other spots that we couldn’t really pass up.”
Caren comes into the Princess Elizabeth Stakes off a five-furlong breeze in 1:00.60 on the main track here Oct. 25.
“She is doing great,” he said. “She worked good the other day, and everything’s a go. I’m expecting her to run really well.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Caren (Last 3 Beyers: 72-78-75)
◗ She possesses good tactical speed and should be able to find a nice position along the rail early to get first run on the closers.
Gamble’s Ghost (Last 3 Beyers: 74-80-74)
◗ She could have run in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf but opted for this spot instead.
◗ After her runner-up effort in the Natalma, she returned to Polytrack to win the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes with a strong rally in deep stretch after lacking racing room at the top of the lane.
Garavogue Colleen (Beyers: 71-61)
◗ She won her debut impressively in a four-horse field Sept. 13 before racing widest of all in the Mazarine. She appeared to have gotten the jump on Gamble’s Ghost in the Mazarine but wound up third after chasing to the wire.
Swoop and Strike (Beyers: 73-63)
◗ She held the lead late in the Mazarine but couldn’t hold off a rallying Gamble’s Ghost for second money.
Niigon’s Legacy (Beyers: 67-61)
◗ She wired the field to win her maiden in her most recent start Sept. 18. She appears to be the one to catch in her stakes debut.