Toronto, ON – Donver Stables’ Careless Jewel, a three-year-old daughter of Tapit, seeks her fifth consecutive score in Saturday’s Grade 2, $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion, at Philadelphia Park. The Kentucky-bred, trained by Josie Carroll and ridden by fellow Woodbine-based Robert Landry, is the morning line 8-5 favourite in the 1 1/16-mile feature.

Careless Jewel, who finished third in her debut at Keeneland in April, continues to turn heads after reeling off four dominating performances, starting with a maiden-breaking score on May 9 at Woodbine, a 3 ½-length win at six furlongs on the Polytrack. The grey then trounced her rivals to the tune of a 7 ¼-length romp at 1 1/16 miles on June 21, before another 7 ¼-length triumph, this time in the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks on July 18, earning a 103 Beyer figure (Daily Racing Form speed rating) for the effort. But it was her brilliant showing in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes that had everyone in the North American racing scene talking, an 11-length humbling of her rivals in the 1 ¼-mile event contested at Saratoga on August 22.

“It really is unbelievable,” said Landry, who took home Sovereign Award honours as Canada’s top rider in 1993, duplicating the feat in 1994, winning his first and only Woodbine riding title, courtesy of 176 wins. “To win a race at Saratoga is a big accomplishment and to win a very prestigious race, it’s just a great feeling.”

Now, Careless Jewel, who was unraced at two, will take on five rivals in the 40th running of the Fitz Dixon Cotillion. Her connections will target the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Santa Anita in November.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to ride some top, top horses over my time,” said Landry, who scored his first riding title when he took the 1992 Greenwood Fall meet. “She’s definitely one of them.”

Careless Jewel, who will eclipse the $1 million mark in purse earnings with a win, breaks from the rail under top weight of 124 pounds.

Woodbine racing fans can watch and wager on the Cotillion, which is the 10th race on the Philadelphia Park programme. Approximately scheduled for 4:16 p.m., it will go postward between the 7th and 8th races at Woodbine.

Saturday’s card at the Toronto oval features a pair of stakes, the Victorian Queen and the Avowal. First post is 1:00 p.m. (ET)

 

 

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