Stakes next for Conquest Cobra

DEL MAR, Calif. – Conquest Cobra, who could have been claimed for $40,000 in May, $50,000 in June, and $62,500 in July, won for the second straight time last Saturday, this time while using an allowance condition, and he’ll be headed for a stakes race next, trainer Vladimir Cerin said.

The options, Cerin said, are the Grade 2, $200,000 Pat O’Brien at seven furlongs Aug. 27 and the $75,000 Harry Brubaker at one mile Aug. 24. Conquest Cobra won on Saturday going seven furlongs but won going a mile in his prior start.

“He’ll be nominated to both races, but very likely we’ll try the Brubaker,” Cerin said. “I suspect there would be less pace pressure going a mile, not that he needs the lead.”

Conquest Cobra’s win streak has coincided with apprentice Chad Lindsay riding him.

“The horse likes Chad,” Cerin said. “He runs for him.”

Cerin said Conquest Cobra has become far more settled of late, months after being gelded.

“He’s the kind of horse who used to come back to the barn without a rider,” Cerin said. “He’d wash out really bad. He’s finally settled down.”

◗ The 7-year-old gelding Agent Di Nozzo, a multiple stakes winner and earner of nearly $500,000 who has made 36 starts and is new to this circuit, is entered for just $10,000 in race 6 on Friday. It will be his first start since being claimed for $32,000 on June 24 at Churchill Downs. He shows one work since then, a half-mile here July 23.