Conquest Enforcer runs away with Charlie Barley victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Conquest Enforcer ($3.00) went to the front and never looked back, winning the $119,200 Charlie Barley Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over Springhouse at Woodbine on Sunday.

Conquest Enforcer broke from the rail and set a reserved pace early, covering the opening quarter in 23.40 seconds and the opening half-mile in 46.54 seconds as Springhouse tracked in fourth along the outside.

Turning for home, Springhouse moved up into second position, looking to take a shot at the front-runner, but Conquest Enforcer held him off under some light encouragement from jockey Patrick Husbands, covering the mile in 1:33.73 on firm turf.

“When we left the gate, nobody wanted to go to the lead, so we took advantage of that,” Husbands said. “He’s a natural, athletic racehorse. I’m so happy to be sitting on this horse. It just gave me chills.”

Stablemate Conquest Daddyo rallied from well off the pace to be third, while Dragon Bay was fourth.

Trainer Mark Casse was pleased with the performances of both Conquest Stables horses in the race.

“We think this horse is a really good horse,” he said. “I think Patrick hit him and surprised him and he pulled himself up a little today. But he ran good. I was really happy with Conquest Daddyo. We’re hoping to get him to the Breeders’ Stakes.”

Conquest Enforcer could have run in the Queen’s Plate, but Casse opted to keep him on the turf instead.

“There’s nothing that I’d rather do than win the Queen’s Plate for (owners) Ernie (Semersky) and Dory (Newell),” he said. “I had to take my heart out of the picture and say what’s best for this horse. I thought we could win the battle and lose the war. I’ve seen a lot of Queen’s Plate horses never win again.”

Conquest Enforcer recorded his third stakes win in four lifetime starts. He banked the $72,000 winner’s share to bring his career earnings to $328,500.