Caren wires Bison City Stakes

Edited Press Release

Robert Marzilli's Caren went gate-to-wire to capture Sunday's $191,725 Bison City Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, at Woodbine.

Trained by Mike DePaulo, Caren entered the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta test off a third-place run in the first leg of the Triple Tiara, the Woodbine Oaks, when defeated just two lengths by Neshama after having set a strong pace.

The Society's Chairman filly showed no ill effects from her Oaks performance and was ready to run in the Bison City. Caren once again led the way from the start, setting moderate splits of :25.45 and :50.32 under regular pilot Jesse Campbell.

Neshama tracked from second position throughout but Caren picked up steam through the final turn as Crumlin Spirit and Trini Brewnette launched their rally from the back of the pack. In front by 3 1/2-lengths at the top of the lane, Caren continued to motor for the one-length victory while stopping the clock in 1:45.47.

"She finally got a little racing luck and it went a little bit more her way. She showed what kind of horse she is," Campbell said. "Pace makes the race, but if they make her go :47 she's going to go down swinging anyway.

"She's a little piece of iron. She had a (great) two-year-old campaign and the way she trains and her attitude, she's a tough cookie. She has talent to boot. It's a tough combo."

Caren paid $4.70 as the 6-5 favorite and was followed under the wire by Trini Brewnette, who rallied from last in the seven-filly field as the 11-1 second longest shot on the board to finish second by a head over Neshama. It was another neck back to Meadows Rose, who was followed under the wire by Tiz Imaginary, Crumlin Spirit and String Bikini. 

Caren’s scorecard now reads 11-6-2-2 and she’s banked $544,854 lifetime. The three-year-old miss recorded her first victory of the season in this spot after finishing second in both the Lady Angela Stakes and Selene Stakes (Can-G3) at Woodbine and sixth in the Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream Park to open her 2016 campaign.

A winner of the Shady Well Stakes, Nandi Stakes, Victorian Queen Stakes and Princess Elizabeth Stakes as a juvenile, Caren could be in line for her second career turf start in the C$250,000 Wonder Where Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, which is slated for August 7.

The bay filly’s only juvenile defeat came on the turf when third in the Natalma Stakes (Can-G2) won by eventual Canadian Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse.

DePaulo will consider all options for Caren ahead of the 1 1/4-mile Wonder Where.

"It's a possibility. We'll have to see what else is available for her," he said. "She loves turf. If they left her alone, maybe she'd get a mile and a quarter, we'll have to see." 

Bred in Ontario by James A. Everatt, Janeane A. Everatt and J. Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Caren is out of the unraced Vilzak mare Jo Zak, making her a half-sister to Grade 2 heroine Jill Robin L and stakes winner Zak’s Precocious,

Caren photo courtesy of WEG/Michael Burns Photography