Conquest Strate Up drops from stakes for turf feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Conquest Strate Up drops out of stakes competition for Friday’s Woodbine headliner and should be favored in the second-level optional claimer on the grass.

Conquest Strate Up won the La Prevoyante Stakes last September at the one-mile distance of Friday’s feature. She went to the sidelines for nearly nine months after ending up fourth Oct. 12 in the Carotene Stakes and was a close third when returning to action July 1 in the seven-furlong Zadracarta Stakes.

Most recently, at 1 1/16 miles in the Victoriana Stakes, she finished a flat fourth behind 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou and a peaking Internal Bourbon, whom she defeated in the La Prevoyante.

Trainer Mark Casse also entered the classy comebacker Conquest Eclipse in the 13-horse race, which is scheduled to be run in Lane 1 for a base purse of $62,300.

KEY CONTENDERS

Conquest Strate Up, by Not Bourbon

Last 3 Beyers: 80-85-74

◗ The capable Jermaine Bridgmohan gets a rare mount for Casse on the bay. They have combined to go 0 for 9 at the meet and are 2 for 16 since the beginning of 2015.

Conquest Eclipse, by Malibu Moon

Last 3 Beyers: 22-78-80

◗ The 4-year-old placed in two Grade 1 stakes in Southern California at 2, and she cleared the first allowance condition during an abbreviated three-race campaign last year. This is her first start on turf, for which she has little breeding.

Show Shape, by Saffir

Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-71

◗ She beat Ontario-sired allowance types on the Tapeta on June 24 before landing her turf debut in an open allowance sprint July 10. This is her first start over a middle distance, and she’s bred for the task at hand.

Reserved, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 84-58-41

◗ She was in poor form prior to her last outing July 9, when she rallied wide from seventh for second behind a rejuvenated Norquay, who is aiming for the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes.

Wealthy Shipman, by Midshipman

Last 3 Beyers: 75-71-73

◗ The late bloomer is taking a three-race win streak on turf and the Tapeta into this acid test. After beating $40,000 conditioned claimers twice, she notched a first-level allowance around two turns three weeks ago.

Silent Treat, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 61-68-64

◗ The speedy 6-year-old is winless in her last 10 starts, a drought that began after her victory in the 2014 Zadracarta. Expect her to lead the way under Michelle Rainford.