Robert Marzilli’s Caren, confidently handled by Jesse Campbell, remained undefeated with a gate-to-wire score in Holiday Monday’s co-featured $125,000 Nandi Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Mike DePaulo, Caren arrived at the six furlong ‘Poly’ sprint for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies from a determined head score in the Shady Well Stakes.
The bay daughter of Society’s Chairman-Jo Zak was quick from the gate and zipped through splits of :23.05 and :46 flat under mild pressure from Aimer Mieux.
The Mink Mile ranged into contention through the turn, but Campbell shook the reins and Caren opened up a two-length advantage at the top of the lane en route to a 1 1/2-length victory. Shake Down Baby finished well to earn the place by 3 1/4-lengths over The Mink Mile. Caren covered six furlongs in 1:10.04.
Campbell was pleased with the professionalism of the feisty bay in the early stages of the Nandi.
“I knew I was getting away with good fractions so I let her be,” said Campbell. “She’s just a cool little horse. She can have an attitude in the morning come feed time, but she comes out here (in the afternoon) and she’s just a little pro and a really fun horse to be around.”
De Paulo, who purchased Caren for $45,000 from breeders James and Janeane Everatt and Arika Everatt-Meeuse at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale, continues to be impressed by the talented miss.
“She’s got a real good mind and that’s half the battle,” said DePaulo. “We always liked her. All the works have been good and so far she’s undefeated.”
Caren, a winner at first asking on June 6 at Woodbine, became the first stakes winner for Society’s Chairman with her Shady Well win. She banked $75,000 in her Nandi score and remains undefeated through three starts.
Caren paid $3.20, $2.40 and $2.10, combining with Shake Down Baby ($5.40, $3.20) for a $15.90 (6-4) exactor. A 6-4-5 triactor (The Mink Mile, $3 to show) was worth $58.50. This Is My Night was scratched.
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