TORONTO, October 17, 2018 – Stronach Stables’ homebred three-year-old filly Zestina will look to net her third straight added-money triumph in Saturday’s $125,000 Carotene Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. Trained by Sid Attard, the Ontario-bred daughter of Silent Name heads into the 1 1/8-mile Carotene off impressive wins in the Passing Mood Stakes on September 1 and the Ontario Damsel Stakes on September 29, with both turf features contested at Woodbine. Zestina has four wins, one second and two thirds from seven starts this season, a campaign that began with a trip to the winner’s circle on May 5 at the Toronto oval. The headstrong filly, who boasts a record of three wins and a third over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, arrives at the Carotene off a half-length score in the one-mile Ontario Damsel. “She’s improving,” said Gary Boulanger, who was aboard for her last seven starts. “She stretched out to a mile last time and ran very well. She’s tough, she’s gritty and just doesn’t give up.” Rafael Hernandez will pick up the mount on Zestina, as Boulanger will ride Wonder Where Stakes champ Avie’s Mineshaft for trainer Josie Carroll. The tough group also includes recent Classy ‘n Smart Stakes winner Bear Paw; multiple stakes winner Dixie Moon; Line of Vision, who took this year’s Eternal Search Stakes; and Sam-Son filly Desert Isle, who broke her maiden in her most recent start. Last year, Inflexibility, a bay daughter of Scat Daddy, teamed with Luis Contreras to win the Carotene. The race is named after the Hall of Fame horse of the same name. Bred by Kinghaven Farms, she holds the filly or mare record for most Sovereign Awards, winning six trophies from 1986-1988. Saturday’s 12-race program starts at 1 p.m., with the Carotene scheduled as the ninth race. Here is a complete look at the field in post position order: $125,000 Carotene Stakes Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1. Desert Isle – Patrick Husbands – Graham Motion 2. Avie’s Mineshaft – Gary Boulanger – Josie Carroll 3. Dixie Moon – Eurico Rosa Da Silva – Catherine Day Phillips 4. Zestina – Rafael Hernandez – Sid Attard 5. Line of Vision – Luis Contreras – Andrew Smith 6. Bear Paw – Kazushi Kimura – Ashlee Brnjas Share This:Share
