English Conqueror overqualified for first-level allowance

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – After running competitively in graded stakes, it’s a little hard to believe that English Conqueror is eligible for a first-level allowance, but the late-blooming 4-year-old will compete at that level in Saturday’s featured 10th race at Woodbine.

Trained by Darwin Banach for JWS Farms, English Conqueror won his maiden last year in his fourth start, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special on the inner turf. The son of English Channel got the winter off after ending up third in the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Stakes, the anchor leg of the Canadian Triple Crown in October.

English Conqueror made the board in his first three appearances at the meet, all in allowance company going 1 1/16 miles, most notably when second behind the future Woodbine Mile winner Town Cruise in his June 13 comeback.

While dismissed at 11-1, English Conqueror rallied for second behind the New York invader Corelli in the Grade 3 Singspiel at 1 1/4 miles on firm ground Aug. 21. He was a distant but respectable fourth behind the brilliant Walton Street over 1 1/2 miles on giving ground most recently in the Grade 1 Canadian International, leaving Corelli in his wake.

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On Saturday, English Conqueror shortens up to 1 1/16 miles in a race scheduled for lane 1 on the inner turf, with Antonio Gallardo retaining the mount.

Leading trainer Mark Casse entered Victory Town and My Sea Cottage in the headliner.

Victory Town won a maiden race second time off an extended layoff on Sept. 12. He won the 7 1/2-furlong maiden special around two turns on the inner turf in front-running style. The 78 Beyer Speed Figure he got for the race isn’t all that far off the Beyer par of 83 for this level. Patrick Husbands will ride him again.

My Sea Cottage is exiting a fifth-place finish behind War Bomber, Artie’s Storm, and Riptide Rock in the one-mile Toronto Cup Stakes on the main course. He was previously third in a 7 1/2-furlong allowance on the inner turf, for which he got a 79 Beyer. Rafael Hernandez rides the Irish-bred 3-year-old.

Desolator was scratched from last Saturday’s Overskate Stakes after the Ontario-sired event was taken off the turf and moved to the Tapeta. He was in good form prior to ending up sixth after a four-wide trip most recently in a seven-furlong allowance.

Sunny Singh will break Desolator from the outside post 11. He will wear bar shoes, as usual. Tony Gattellaro trains the 6-year-old son of Woodbine Mile winner Court Vision.

Broadway was competitive in 3-year-old allowances last spring at Gulfstream. He awaited room on the far turn before closing for third in a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the Tapeta here Sept. 25.

Post time for the first of 10 races Saturday is 12:55 p.m.