Conquest Enforcer brings bullets into Queenston Stakes
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The fast-working Conquest Enforcer heads a compact field of five Canadian-bred 3-year-olds in Saturday’s $150,000 Queenston Stakes at Woodbine.
Trainer Mark Casse thought so highly of Conquest Enforcer at 2 that he debuted him in the Grade 2 Summer. After breaking slowly in the one-mile turf stakes, he made a bid into contention early in the stretch before flattening out on his left lead to finish fourth.
Conquest Enforcer graduated in style in his only other outing in October, winning the Cup and Saucer Stakes on the grass by nearly seven lengths over a quality field of Canadian-breds.
Conquest Enforcer sizzled five-eighths in 58 seconds on May 6. He followed it up with another bullet five-furlong breeze on the Tapeta on May 12, outrunning two rivals while going in 59 from the gate.
Casse also entered the more-experienced Conquest Cavalry in the seven-furlong Queenston, which is race 8 on a 10-race program.
KEY CONTENDERS
Conquest Enforcer, by Into Mischief
Beyers: 87-71
◗ An incident following the Cup and Saucer forced Conquest Enforcer to the sidelines.
“After the race, he tied up very badly in the detention barn,” Casse said. “He was fine when we got him home. He just had a little of this and a little of that, and I just took my time with him.”
Ultraflame, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 80-75-73
◗ He placed in two restricted stakes at 2, including the seven-furlong Frost King, and won his season opener from off the pace under Jesse Campbell in a five-furlong Ontario-sired allowance.
“He’s matured more into a 3-year-old,” said trainer John Ross, who won last year’s Queenston with R U Watchingbud. “He’s a little bit stronger, more-developed horse. He’s been going in the right direction. We wanted to see if he could rate a little off it, and Jesse got off the horse and said he’ll do anything you want in a race. It was encouraging to hear that because it betters your chances to stretch out.”
Conquest Cavalry, by Old Forester
Last 3 Beyers: 67-80-74
◗ He prevailed after dueling up front the first time off the shelf in an Ontario-sired allowance dash and was stuck in traffic before ending up fifth in an open seven-furlong allowance most recently.
Springhouse, by Limehouse
Last 3 Beyers: 76-58-72
◗ He rallied inside for third in his seasonal debut in a five-furlong allowance, from which runner-up Dublin Diva exited to land an allowance for 3-year-old fillies.