Conquest Daddyo preps for Queen's Plate in Wando Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Conquest Daddyo will begin his local preparation for the $1 million Queen’s Plate in Sunday’s $100,000 Wando Stakes at Woodbine, an overnight stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta.
Conquest Daddyo is one of two Queen’s Plate-eligible horses in the seven-horse field. Trainer Mark Casse said the Wando is a stepping-stone race for Conquest Daddyo toward the Queen’s Plate on July 3.
“We’re starting to crank him up for the Queen’s Plate,” he said. “He had a really nice breeze the other day.”
Conquest Daddyo, who won the Grade 2 Summer Stakes here last September, made his 3-year-old debut on turf at Gulfstream Park in the Kitten’s Joy Stakes on Jan. 30. After breaking a step slowly, Conquest Daddyo was forced wide heading into the far turn and flattened out in the stretch.
“I don’t really know what happened, to be honest,” Casse said. “We gave him some time. After that race, he didn’t train as good as he had, but he’s started training really well again recently.”
Key Contenders
Conquest Daddyo, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 72-81-83
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Conquest Daddyo will add blinkers for the first time for the Wando. Casse is 2 for 14 with horses adding blinkers for the first time in non-graded stakes over the past five years, with a $1.20 return on investment.
Amis Gizmo, by Giant Gizmo
Last 3 Beyers: 84-86-75
◗ The undefeated Amis Gizmo is the second Queen’s Plate-eligible horse in the field. He closed his 2015 campaign with a victory around two turns in the Kingarvie Stakes and has been in training over the winter in Florida with Josie Carroll.
Conquest Windycity, by Tiznow
Last 3 Beyers: 71-76-67
◗ He’ll try synthetic for the first time after never threatening in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 26 at Fair Grounds.
“We’ve breezed him a couple of times over [the Tapeta], and he’s breezed well,” Casse said.
Prior to the Louisiana Derby, Conquest Windycity won an allowance in his first start of the year at Oaklawn Park over a mile on dirt.
Bear’sway, by Tizway
Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-66
◗ He pressed the pace throughout but faded to fourth while matching his career-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure in the Display Stakes here last November. He could cause problems for likely speed runner Amis Gizmo if he employs a pressing style like he did in the Display.