Conquest Harlanate prevails in Natalma Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Conquest Harlanate punched her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup with a gutsy score over the favored Isabella Sings in Saturday’s Grade 2, $228,800 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine.

Green Doctor and Appeal to the Win fought for the lead through the turn in the one-mile turf route for 2-year-old fillies, as Conquest Harlanate raced in midpack under Patrick Husbands.

Conquest Harlanate mounted a wide rally exiting the turn and then wore down Isabella Sings in the final furlong to prevail by a neck in 1:40.61 over a course labeled “good.” Skinner Box finished another two lengths back in third in the 12-horse field. Second choice Don’t Leave Me was a non-threatening sixth after missing the break.

“She left there pretty sharp,” said Husbands. “I took her back, and she relaxed. I bided my time. I didn’t want to pull the trigger too early, but when I got to [Isabella Sings], I realized that I was running out of real estate. She [fought] and got the job done.”

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Conquest Harlanate ($15.10) banked $144,000 for Conquest Stable and received a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Oct. 31 at Santa Anita. She was the fifth Natalma winner for trainer Mark Casse.