Conquest Two Step euthanized following surgery complications

Conquest Two Step, the winner of the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 31, was euthanized Monday after suffering complications following surgery for an injured left hind leg, trainer Mark Casse said Wednesday.

Conquest Two Step was diagnosed with a condylar fracture after a workout at Santa Anita last Saturday. He underwent surgery Monday but reinjured the leg while recovering from anesthesia, Casse said.

“He broke his leg when he tried to get up,” Casse said. “I’ve been training 35 years. I had hundreds and hundreds of horses undergo operations. I think this is the first time this has happened to me.”

Conquest Two Step was nominated for the $200,000 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita this Saturday. Conquest Two Step raced for Ernie Semersky and Dory Newel’s Conquest Stables. Conquest Two Step’s death was announced on their Facebook page Tuesday.

By Two Step Salsa, Conquest Two Step won 3 of 11 starts and earned $339,408. Aside from the win in the Palos Verdes, Conquest Two Step was second to top handicap horse Shared Belief in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes last December and third in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita on March 7.