Woodbine: Conquest partnership flourishing

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Conquest Stables LLC, the nom du course of owners Ernie Semersky and Dory Newell, has upped its ante considerably in trainer Mark Casse’s stable of late.

And after watching Conquest Two Step win impressively in his debut at Churchill Downs last Friday and Conquest Whiplash defeat males here in Saturday’s $153,000 Victoria Stakes, it would appear that good times are in store for the new partnership.

Conquest Whiplash, ridden by Eurico Rosa da Silva, took command at the start of the five-furlong Victoria and never looked back en route to a 2 3/4-length victory.

“We’ve only owned them about two months,” said Casse, who purchased Conquest Two Step for $420,000 and Conquest Whiplash for $370,000 at Ocala’s April 2-year-olds in training sale. “Ernie and Dory, they stepped up to the plate and put their money up. When somebody does that, it’s nice to see them reap the rewards. They’re excited. I’m excited.

“And I think it’s just the beginning. We’ve got some really, really nice young horses for them.”

Casse said the Conquest partners purchased six horses at the recent Ocala sale and now have some 16 2-year-olds with him plus one 3-year-old, Gunderman.