Conspiracy looking for a trip

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though Conspiracy is stepping up in company after a pair of second-place finishes against cheaper, trainer Robert Barbara believes a clean trip is all his horse needs to be competitive in Saturday’s $69,000 allowance feature at Aqueduct.

Conspiracy has finished second in his last two starts, both against $40,000 claimers. In this 1 1/16-mile race, Conspiracy is stepping up to face horses running for a second-level allowance condition or the optional claiming tag of $62,500.

“The horse has improved; he’s doing really well,” Barbara said. “I know the race is tough, but there aren’t many options to run him right now. If he doesn’t get in any trouble, if he could just keep his stride going around that whole racetrack, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

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Barbara said that two starts back, Conspiracy made the lead in midstretch, jumped tire tracks late, and surrendered the lead back to Snakebit. Last race, Conspiracy found himself behind a wall of horses at the quarter pole, and though he got clear in the stretch, he was no match for the winner, He’s So Fine.

Conspiracy will look to give Barbara his first win of the meet. From 16 starts, Barbara has 6 seconds and 2 thirds.

His competition will include Classic Sense, who has 3 wins and 2 seconds in his last 5 starts, and Went the Day Well, who comes off a second-level allowance win against New York-breds.

KEY CONTENDERS

Conspiracy (Last 3 Beyers: 84-88-64)

◗ He seemed to be sitting a good third in his last race when two horses behind him made early moves. At the quarter pole, Conspiracy found himself behind four horses.

“He got himself in a pickle at the quarter pole,” Barbara said. “He had nowhere to go. The other horse spurted away, and we played catch-up. He lost his momentum.”

Classic Sense (Last 3 Beyers: 89-82-87)

◗ He has 3 wins and 2 seconds in last 5 starts, including a 1 1/4-length victory in the mud over the inner track Dec. 11.

◗ All of his wins have come over wet tracks.

Went the Day Well (Last 3 Beyers: 78-67-79)

◗ Ended a three-year drought when he came from off the pace to defeat New York-bred second-level allowance rivals here Jan. 25. Prior to that, his last win came in the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes in 2012 before he finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby.

Son of a General (Last 3 Beyers: 90-54-92)

◗ Claimed by Jason Servis for owner Barry Schwartz back in June, the horse was off six months before running for Linda Rice and winning a starter allowance Jan. 16.

“I picked up the horse last fall,” Rice said. “I was pleased with his return. He’s been facing $25,000 to $40,000 claimers.”