Conquest Mo Money misses late Triple Crown deadline
The connections of Sunland Derby runner-up Conquest Mo Money tried to make the horse a late nominee to the Triple Crown, but they missed the deadline and the nomination was rejected, confirmed a representative from Churchill Downs. In order to run in the Kentucky Derby, he will have to be supplemented to the race at a cost of $200,000 by time of entry.
Co-owner Sandy McKenna said a check for $6,000 to make Conquest Mo Money a late nominee to the Triple Crown was sent March 24. But the deadline for late nominations was March 20.
McKenna said on Tuesday that with Conquest Mo Money borderline on points with the 20 he earned Sunday, she and her husband, co-owner Tom McKenna, were already planning to just see how things play out in the run up to the Kentucky Derby. Conquest Mo Money was tied for 14th on the points list through Tuesday, with several more preps still to be run for the Kentucky Derby.
“We’re on the cusp with all those other 20 pointers,” McKenna said. “To me, at this moment, it’s kind of up in the air, a moot point. We’ll make that decision down the road. At this point, we’re sitting back and waiting to see how things unfold.”
Trainer Miguel Hernandez said Monday it would be ideal to train up to the Kentucky Derby if the points the horse had earned secure him a spot in the gate. But if it looks tight on points, the horse would be pointed for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15 at Oaklawn.
Conquest Mo Money has developed into the top 3-year-old based at Sunland this meet, as he won both stakes preps leading up to the Sunland Derby. He was undefeated in three starts heading into the race Sunday.
“It’s been a whirlwind for us,” said Sandy McKenna. “We’re very blessed to have this horse. He’s a wonderful horse, has a great disposition. He loves what he does.”
The last Sunland-based horse to win the Kentucky Derby was Mine That Bird in 2009.