Duppy Conqueror tries to get back on track in sprint feature

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Duppy Conqueror seems poised to end a drought in Friday’s nominal feature at Woodbine, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares that combines $20,000 non-winners of three claimers with Ontario-sired allowance types.

Duppy Conqueror commenced her 2014 campaign in May with a commanding 5 1/4-length tally in a six-furlong allowance for non-winners of two. She met $40,000 non-winners of three company under a variety of conditions in each of her five subsequent starts, finished in the top four in all of those outings, and was favored in three of those races.

Most recently, Duppy Conqueror dropped to Friday’s level, and lost a nail-biter after hitting the front in late stretch. The winner, We’llseeaboutthat, returned to finish second against $32,000 claimers.

Emma-Jayne Wilson retains the mount on Duppy Conqueror, who is trained by Catherine Day Phillips for Kingview Farms.

KEY CONTENDERS

Duppy Conqueror (Last 3 Beyers: 67-63-61)

◗ The 4-year-old, who is by Lexie Lou’s sire, Sligo Bay, peaked last fall when she crushed $25,000 maiden claimers before ending up second in an allowance route.

Niigon’s Queen (Last 3 Beyers: 62-79-56)

◗ She put up a 79 Beyer Speed Figure in her gate-to-wire allowance score going seven-eighths on grass Sept. 26. Her previous form on the Polytrack was spotty, and she’s coming off a fourth behind Duppy Conqueror, during which she set slow fractions before tiring as the favorite.

◗ Jockey Justin Stein and trainer Danny Vella are a combined 8 for 37 at the meet.

Tiny Bear (Last 3 Beyers: 38-60-57)

◗ She rarely breaks with the field but often rallies for a slice of the purse. Her wide-closing victory in a $20,000 non-winners of two contest Aug. 24 was visually impressive.

◗ Her new trainer, Marty Drexler, has excelled with claimed runners over the years, but his numbers with first-time off the halter switch are weak.

Ring With Bling (Last 3 Beyers: 60-52-35)

◗ She tracked the early leaders along the inside before taking control two weeks ago in a workmanlike win in a five-furlong allowance. The slower tempo of this longer sprint may turn her into a front-runner, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her link up with Niigon’s Queen in a speed duel.

Wings of Paradise (Last 3 Beyers: 59-48-62)

◗ She couldn’t keep up after flashing speed in her last few, but every once in a while, she pops up with a big effort.

◗ Trainer Julia Carey has had a sensational meet, winning at a 22 percent clip.