Neshama rested for Bison City Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine Oaks winner Neshama will seek her third consecutive victory in Sunday’s $250,000 Bison City Stakes over 1 1/16 miles for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine. The Bison City is the second jewel in Canada’s Triple Tiara series.

The Bison City will be Neshama’s first start since she won the Woodbine Oaks on June 12. Trainer Catherine Day Phillips said Neshama was sent to the farm for a week after the Oaks before resuming her training.

“She’s good,” she said. “She lost a shoe in the Oaks and got cut a little bit, so we went easy and ended up giving her a week on the farm.”

Neshama was considered for last Sunday’s Queen’s Plate, but Day Phillips said the filly has benefited from the extra week between starts.

“Last week would not have been good for her,” she said. “She’s coming back around and putting a little bit of weight back on again. [The Oaks] was a tough race, and she ran hard, so certainly the extra week is helpful.”

Neshama breezed a half-mile in 49 seconds flat here July 2. Day Phillips said the work served as an easy maintenance work to set her up for the Bison City.

“She has to be fit,” she said. “She’s just run in three races, and in hard races. We were just looking for a little maintenance, and we got that.”

Key Contenders

Neshama, by Sligo Bay

Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-80

◗ Neshama got a perfect stalking trip under jockey Eurico Da Silva in the Oaks and could get a similar setup in the Bison City.

“She has a little bit of natural speed, so Eurico can use it as the race unfolds when he needs to,” Day Phillips said.

Caren, by Society’s Chairman

Last 3 Beyers: 83-80-80

◗ She nearly stole the Oaks on the front end after widening her advantage through the far turn. She lost the lead in the final 70 yards and could prove tough to beat over the shorter trip.

Crumlin Spirit, by Court Vision

Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-87

◗ She was bumped late in the Oaks and came on again to be fourth.

◗ She defeated several of her Bison City rivals over seven furlongs in the Lady Angela Stakes on May 1 and could save ground after drawing the rail.

Trini Brewnette, by Milwaukee Brew

Last 3 Beyers: 76-53-83

◗ She was fifth in the Oaks and is a stakes winner at this distance after winning the South Ocean Stakes as a 2-year-old last season.