Dixie Moon seeking rebound in Carotene Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine Oaks winner Dixie Moon can rebound off a subpar showing this Saturday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Carotene Stakes, a nine-furlong turf event for Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Dixie Moon upset last year’s Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Gadot in the Oaks on June 9, but she never threatened on a sweltering day in the Queen’s Plate on June 30. She was a prominent second in the Wonder Where Stakes in August, before finishing a distant sixth most recently in the Ontario Damsel Stakes on turf.

“She was doing well going into the last race,” trainer Catherine Day Phillips said. “I think she was actually in season. That’s the only realistic excuse I can come up with as to why she didn’t run her race. I literally walked into the paddock, went to put the saddle on, and she kind of squatted down. Then, she didn’t run her race. That wasn’t like her. She was in too good of order not to run well.”

Day Phillips was content with Dixie Moon’s half-mile work in 47 seconds last Saturday and is adding blinkers to her equipment.

“She had a really good breeze,” Day Phillips said. “She settled behind another horse, Killag Katie, and then came to her. They finished well together. We’re going to put a set of small cheaters on her, just to change stuff a little bit.”

The six-horse Carotene field includes Wonder Where winner Avie’s Mineshaft, who’s also trying to get back on track after a dull performance.

KEY CONTENDERS
Dixie Moon, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 43-88-22

◗ Day Phillips, who won the 2005 Carotene with Invitational, is 7 for 29 (24 percent) with first-time blinkers over the past five years, with a return on investment of $2.21.

Avie’s Mineshaft, by Mineshaft
Last 3 Beyers: 67-91-78

◗ The long-winded filly notched her first stakes in the 10-furlong Wonder Where, under a fine ride from Gary Boulanger. She switched to the Tapeta in her last race in the La Lorgnette Stakes, in which she came up empty after a stalking trip.

“She’s doing really well,” said trainer Josie Carroll, who sent out Avie’s Mineshaft’s 2-year-old half-brother, Avie’s Flatter, to take the Cup and Saucer Stakes on Oct. 7.

Zestina, by Silent Name
Last 3 Beyers: 76-71-70

◗ She beat Ontario-sired opposition two starts ago in the seven-furlong Passing Mood Stakes and beat Ontario-breds most recently in the one-mile Ontario Damsel. This is her first start beyond a mile.

Bear Paw, by Bear’s Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 75-73-68

◗ She defeated older Ontario-sired rivals last time in the Classy ’n Smart Stakes. This is her first turf start, and her sire won the Summer Stakes on the lawn.