Conquest Vivi takes Victorian Queen by a neck
ETOBICOKE, Ontario—The heavily favored Conquest Vivi got the job done in workmanlike fashion in the $125,000 Victorian Queen Stakes at Woodbine on Sunday.
Conquest Vivi, who won both of her races on the lead in June, assumed a stalking position in fourth on the backstretch in the six-furlong contest. She loomed three-wide into contention on the turn, and then hit the front at the eighth pole before holding off 25-1 shot Dilly Dally Darby late to win by a neck, in a time of 1:10.55.
Silver Princess set honest fractions before weakening to third, while Princess Macy faded to fourth in the six-horse field of Ontario-sired juvenile fillies.
Patrick Husbands rode Conquest Vivi, a daughter of Court Vision, for trainer Mark Casse.
“I drew the outside,” Husbands said. “When you ride the favorite, you’re supposed to be the best horse in the race. I left the gates watching everybody. I tried not to squeeze her early. Everything went my way. She showed that she’s a nice filly.”
Conquest Vivi ($2.90) earned $75,000 for Conquest Stable, which is dispersing all of its horses at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
“We’re sad to see them go, but maybe we’ll see some of these horses back here,” said Kathryn Sullivan, an assistant to Casse. “She’s been doing really well. She wasn’t on lead today. She showed how versatile she can be.”