Conquest Daddyo stepping up in Vandal Stakes
ETOBICOKE Ontario – Conquest Stable had an amazing run at Woodbine in 2014 with the 2-year-olds Conquest Tsunami and Conquest Typhoon, the latter being named the champion of the division. It has branched out this year with some pricey Ontario-bred 2-year-olds, including Conquest Daddyo, who should be a factor in Saturday’s $150,000 Vandal Stakes.
Conquest Daddyo was a $350,000 yearling purchase by the popular Scat Daddy. He is a half-brother to stakes winner Hangingbyathread.
After breaking awkwardly, Conquest Daddyo won his lone outing in a six-furlong maiden special weight race in 1:12.42, earning a 59 Beyer Speed Figure. Trainer Mark Casse said Conquest Daddyo has trained well leading up to the Vandal, but his future could be as a router.
“He’s probably going to get better as he gets older and runs farther, but I thought his first race was encouraging,” Casse said. “Once he sees two turns, he’s going to be a better horse, but we think he’s a nice horse.”
Just four other Ontario-breds were entered in the six-furlong Vandal. It is the third event on a 10-race card that also has an overnight stakes on the grass, the $100,000 Flaming Page.
KEY CONTENDERS
Conquest Daddyo (Beyer: 59)
◗ He breezed five-eighths in 1:00.60 on Aug. 7, the third-fastest of 34 works at the distance that day.
Ruth Less Blue (Beyers: 71-69)
◗ After running second to the good Beliveau at first asking in the 5 1/2-furlong Clarendon Stakes, he graduated over six furlongs in a quick 1:10.60 on Aug. 2.
Get’erdonebud (Last 3 Beyers: 63-59-56)
◗ After notching his debut by three lengths, he was a troubled fourth in the six-furlong Victoria Stakes on the grass. He has worked twice since getting softened up in a speed duel when fourth in the restricted Clarendon.
Button Down in Flaming Page
Button Down makes her stakes debut in this 1 1/2-mile marathon for fillies and mares. The Josie Carroll-trained 4-year-old won her second North American outing here in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight race on the Polytrack and then doubled up in an allowance route on the grass July 1. Three of her four runner-up finishes came over 1 1/2 miles in England.
Smartyfly is stretching out off a flat seventh-place finish in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly. She captured the 1 1/4-mile Wonder Where Stakes here last year and should be prominent from the outset.
Grade 2 winner Llanarmon missed the board in both the Dance Smartly and the Grade 2 Nassau but is capable of beating this group on her best day.