Caren Goes Gate to Wire in Bison City

Robert Marzilli's Caren went gate to wire to capture $250,000 Bison City Stakes, second leg of the filly Triple Tiara, July 10 at Woodbine.

Trained by Mike DePaulo, Caren arrived at the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta test from a gritty third-place run in the Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser, in which she was defeated by two lengths by Neshama after having set a strong pace.

The ultra-consistent filly showed no ill effects from her Oaks performance and came back ready to race again. A winner of four stakes as a juvenile, all in front-running fashion, Caren once again stepped to the lead through moderate splits of :25.45 and :50.32 under regular rider Jesse Campbell.

Neshama, the Oaks winner, tracked from second position throughout but Caren picked up steam through the final turn as Crumlin Spirit and Trini Brewnette launched their rallies from the back of the pack. In front by 3 1/2 lengths at the top of the lane, Caren sprinted clear of her rivals to earn a one-length win in 1:45.47. Trini Brewnette rallied from last of seven to finish second by a head over Neshama.

It was the first victory of the season for Caren, who finished second in both the Lady Angela and grade III Selene Stakes at Woodbine after arriving home from a winter spent in Florida.

"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) 2-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."

 A winner of the Shady Well, Nandi, Victorian Queen, and Princess Elizabeth Stakes in a terrific juvenile campaign, the Society's Chairman filly could be in line for her second career turf start in the Wonder Where Stakes, third leg of the filly Triple Tiara, which is slated for Aug. 7.

Caren's only juvenile defeat came on the turf last season when third in the grade II Natalma Stakes 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 turf stakes.

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

Caren ($4.70), bred in Ontario by James A. Everatt, Janeane A. Everatt, and J. Arika Everatt-Meeuse from the Vilzak mare Jo Zak, banked $150,000 in victory while improving her record to 6-2-2 from 11 starts.