Conquest Farenheit back on turf in Baffle Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Conquest Farenheit had a rude start to his California career, a third-place finish at 2-5 in an optional claimer at a mile on dirt at Santa Anita on Feb. 2.

“I think he was dead short last time,” trainer Peter Miller said on Friday.

A little more than two weeks later, Miller is preparing Conquest Farenheit for Monday’s $75,000 Baffle Stakes for 3-year-olds at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

The surface should be a good fit for Conquest Farenheit, who finished second in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes on turf at Woodbine last September. Owned by Gary Hartunian and Chad Littlefield, Conquest Farenheit was purchased for $735,000 from the Conquest Stables dispersal at Keeneland in November.

Conquest Farenheit is part of a competitive field of seven in the Baffle Stakes and is the only runner to have placed in a stakes. Tipo Duro was sixth in the minor Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in December. Elwood J was sixth in the I’m Smokin Stakes for California-bred sprinters at Del Mar last summer.

The Baffle Stakes is the 10th race on an 11-race program that begins at noon Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Conquest Farenheit, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 69-89-89

◗ Conquest Farenheit has raced three times and was trained by Mark Casse for his first two starts. The colt won his debut in a maiden race at seven furlongs by five lengths on a yielding turf course at Woodbine last August. The turf course at Santa Anita is likely to be less than firm on Monday because of significant rain on Friday.

◗ Conquest Farenheit is expected to race near the front in pursuit of the speedy Bay Muzik, who won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs in his lone start last August at Golden Gate Fields. Elwood J and the maiden-race winner Rockin Rudy have also shown speed.

Souter, by Poet’s Voice

◗ Souter is the only import in the Baffle Stakes field, a winner in Scotland last September in his final start overseas. Purchased for approximately $165,000 at auction last fall, Souter is now owned by Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal and trained by Mark Glatt.

◗ Souter was fourth and second in maiden races last August before the breakthrough performance in an allowance race at a mile. Glatt said he has spent recent months getting to know Souter, who he said will start only if the race remains on turf.

“He’s a very athletic horse,” Glatt said. “I think he’s turf only, so it’s hard to evaluate him on dirt. He’s a nice-looking horse and very willing.

“The further he goes, the better. Perhaps down the hill won’t be the best distance. It gives us a chance to get started.”

Elwood J, by Vronsky
Last 3 Beyers: 70-71-55

◗ Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Vronsky scored a smart win in an optional claimer for California-breds at six furlongs as a favorite on a wet-fast track Jan. 20. This will be the turf debut for a gelding who should be part of the pace.