Conquest Enforcer skips Queen's Plate in favor of Charlie Barley
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The highly regarded Conquest Enforcer bypassed the Queen’s Plate with the notion that he’s an exceptional turf miler, and he’ll get to strut his stuff against a solid group of 3-year-olds in Sunday’s $100,000 Charlie Barley Stakes at Woodbine.
Conquest Enforcer ran fourth at first asking in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes last September and then graduated impressively over 1 1/16 miles on grass Oct. 11 in the restricted Cup and Saucer Stakes. Off a seven-month layoff May 21, he romped in the seven-furlong Queenston Stakes on Tapeta, scoring by nearly eight lengths.
Trainer Mark Casse has been excited about Conquest Enforcer ever since the Cup and Saucer.
“I thought his race in the Cup and Saucer [was excellent],” Casse said. “Especially when you look at the field he beat and the way he did it. He got in all kinds of trouble, won in a gallop, and pulled a muscle in behind after the race. He was hurt, and we gave him some time off. I thought he was probably only 75 or 80 percent for his return, and he ran a 101 Beyer, was eased up. We got him galloping out a mile and an eighth in 1:51 and change. That’s why we’re high on him.”
A field of 12 was drawn for the Charlie Barley, which kicks off the second pick five on the card as race 6.
Charlie Barley, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Conquest Enforcer, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 101-87-71
◗ His 2-year-old half-sister, Conquest Vivi, bolstered the family when she won last weekend’s Nandi Stakes under Patrick Husbands, who retains the mount.
Hammers Vision, by Court Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 87-89-69
◗ Following a mediocre work on Tapeta last Sunday, the turf expert skipped the Queen’s Plate. He went to the sidelines after finishing fourth in the Cup and Saucer and then started twice at Belmont this spring, finishing second in an allowance and a close fifth in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge.
Conquest Daddyo, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 52-72-81
◗ The erratic colt captured the Grade 2 Summer before finishing a troubled fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. His two performances this year were forgettable.
Springhouse, by Limehouse
Last 3 Beyers: 82-75-76
◗ Following a distant fourth in the Queenston, he led throughout an allowance sprint on grass June 12.
Hollywood Hideaway, by Zensational
Last 3 Beyers: 66-76-58
◗ He underperformed early in the meet and is returning from a layoff as a first-time gelding with blinkers on.