Santa Anita
Conquest Two Step eyes San Carlos Stakes
Shigeki Kikkawa Conquest Two Step scored by 1 1/4 lengths in the Palos Verdes.
Conquest Two Step, who won the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs Jan. 31, is a candidate for the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs March 7.
Trainer Mark Casse said the additional distance will be an asset for Conquest Two Step, who races for Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell’s Conquest Stables.
“I think seven-eighths will be a better race for him,” Casse said. “We got lucky the other day because there was some serious pace. I think this will set up nicely for him.”
The 4-year-old Conquest Two Step has won 3 of 10 starts and earned $309,408. The Palos Verdes was the first stakes win for Conquest Two Step, who was second to Shared Belief in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs Dec. 26.