Conquest Twister back on familiar footing for Coronation Futurity
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Conquest Twister will look to shake off a poor effort on turf in the Cup and Saucer Stakes when he returns to Polytrack for Sunday’s $250,000 Coronation Futurity for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds at Woodbine.
Conquest Twister came into the Cup and Saucer off a narrow defeat to Amis Gizmo in the Simcoe Stakes on Polytrack on Sept. 2, but it didn’t take long for trainer Mark Casse to realize that it wasn’t going to be Conquest Twister’s day in the Cup and Saucer. The horse finished last of 12, beaten 29 1/2 lengths.
“I knew he was in trouble after a sixteenth of a mile,” Casse said. “I wanted to give [turf] a try. Maybe he just didn’t like the soft turf, but whatever it is, he’s come back and he’s trained like a really nice horse.”
The 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity will be Conquest Twister’s first start around two turns, but Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands think he can get the distance.
“The question will be, can he go a mile and an eighth?” Casse said. “Patrick is very high on him. Patrick believes that he can go a mile and an eighth if he can just get him to relax. He thinks he’s a really talented horse, and so do I.”
Key contenders
Conquest Twister (Last 3 Beyers: 21-83-77)
◗ He won easily going five furlongs in his first start and then was nosed out by Amis Gizmo in the Simcoe. Amis Gizmo has since won the Bull Page and Frost King stakes by a combined 8 1/2 lengths.
Butterfly Dance (Beyers: 71-67)
◗ He made a move from off the pace and led briefly late in the Cup and Saucer but settled for second behind Conquest Enforcer.
◗ He’ll be making his first start on Polytrack after two starts on turf.
Shakhimat (Beyers: 67-69)
◗ He won nicely at first asking going seven furlongs and then was third in the Cup and Saucer.
◗ He’s been forwardly placed in both of his starts and likely will play a part in the early pace.
Scholar Athlete (Last 3 Beyers: 49-75-71)
◗ He recorded back-to-back Beyers in the 70s to begin his career, including a 75 in his maiden win two starts back going a mile and 70 yards on the Polytrack.
◗ He faded late in the Cup and Saucer last out and returns with Lasix for the first time.
Niigon’s Edge (Last 3 Beyers: 65-66-62)
◗ He was well off the pace early in the Cup and Saucer and made a middle move before Conquest Enforcer pulled away. The distance should not be an issue for this son of Queen’s Plate winner Niigon.