by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — After scoring two victories and $69,011 in earnings last year as a freshman, Mater Deo will make her sophomore debut this Thursday (May 5) in the C$25,000 Princess Stakes eliminations at Woodbine.

Last season, the daughter of Western Ideal-Life Matters captured the $95,503 division of the Eternal Camnation Stakes for trainer Casie Coleman and owners West Wins Stable and Steve Calhoun.

New Image Media photo

Mater Deo earned $69,011 as a 2-year-old in 2010.

“I’m looking forward to this season with her,” Coleman commented. “She trained down with Pretty Katherine and Idyllic as a 2-year-old and stayed right with them.

“I was really pleased with her first qualifier but not her second. She’s really green and Mark (MacDonald) put her on the lead and she’s better from off the pace.”

Coleman also believes that Mater Deo should show much improvement this season compared to her rookie year.

“She was such a big, growthy filly training down as a 2-year-old and I didn’t really have any intentions of racing her last year. This year, she has really grown into herself and filled out. She’s a big mare, who has a lot of potential. I will try and manage her away from Idyllic and Pretty Katherine, so she should have a solid season.”

With a record of 2-0-1 from six starts as a freshman, Mater Deo has a 1:52.3 lifetime best. She was a $37,000 yearling purchase from the 2009 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

Mater Deo will begin from post six in the third race on Thursday evening. Mark MacDonald will once again be at the helm.