Cindervella can give trainer a lift in Princess Elizabeth

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Last Saturday was a frustrating day for trainer Mike DePaulo, who lost a heartbreaker with Hot Kiss in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes shortly after Noholdingback Bear was derailed by a breathing issue in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

DePaulo looks to get back on target Saturday at Woodbine when he sends out Cindervella in the $250,000 Princess Elizabeth Stakes. She is stepping up to tackle Canadian-breds after beating Ontario-sired juvenile fillies in the South Ocean Stakes going the 1 1/16-mile distance of the Princess Elizabeth.

Cindervella rallied from seventh to graduate in the South Ocean. She was previously fourth in the 6 1/2-furlong Muskoka Stakes on Aug. 31 and third in a maiden race in her debut.

DePaulo said Cindervella has trained adequately during the six weeks since the South Ocean.

“Her last work was a little slow, but we did the same thing with her before she won the stakes,” he said. “She’s getting plenty of time between races, which was the case last time.”

The 71st running of the Princess Elizabeth lured 10 others, most notably the unbeaten Mythical Mission, who could go favored in her stakes debut.

KEY CONTENDERS

Cindervella, by Silent Name

Last three Beyers: 61-67-50

◗ DePaulo, who won last year’s Princess Elizabeth with Caren, is optimistic that this race could set up for Cindervella.

“It looks like there’s going to be plenty of speed,” DePaulo said. “Maybe she’ll have something to run at.”

Mythical Mission, by Giant’s Causeway

Beyers: 61-67

◗ Trained by Malcolm Pierce, the Sam-Son Farm homebred is a full sister to Canadian champion Irish Mission, who won the Woodbine Oaks and Breeders’ Stakes at 3 before going on to capture three Grade 3 turf stakes in the United States.

◗ After landing her debut in a maiden special weight turf sprint, she won an allowance route on the Tapeta. She came from off the pace in both races.

Enstone, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 79-39-73

◗ After she was basically eased on turf in the Grade 1 Natalma, she set soft fractions during an authoritative maiden special weight victory going long Oct. 23 on the Tapeta.

Missy Crissy, by Court Vision

Beyers: 67-37

◗ She led all the way second time out on Oct. 22, winning a two-turn maiden special for Ontario-sired fillies by 7 1/4 lengths.

China Rider, by Majestic Warrior

Last 3 Beyers: 63-71-67

◗ The Belmont-based maiden is competing on synthetics for the first time off a wide second in a six-furlong maiden special on the dirt.