Conquest Vivi remained perfect through three career starts with a stalking score in Sunday’s $125,000 Victorian Queen Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Mark Casse for owner Conquest Stables LLC., the well-bred daughter of Court Vision-Keen Victory settled in fourth position in a field of six Ontario-sired juvenile fillies before rallying wide down the lane for her second career stakes score.
Conquest Vivi, a half-sister to the well-regarded Conquest Enforcer, debuted with a 6 1/4-length score in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden allowance tilt on June 12 and came back two weeks later to draw clear by 2 ½-lengths in the 5 1/2-furlong Nandi Stakes.
A front-running victor in both efforts, jockey Patrick Husbands was content to take back in the six furlong Victorian Queen as maiden winner Silver Princess led through splits of :22.53 and :45.50 under pressure from Princess Macy.
Conquest Vivi, asked to run late in the turn, reeled in Silver Princess with a furlong remaining and surged home a neck winner to a late closing Dilly Dally Darby. Conquest Vivi covered six furlongs in 1:10.55.
“After leaving the gates, I watched everybody and the main key is not to let your horse get away and try not to squeeze her early. I had everything my way,” said Husbands.
Freshened since her score in the Nandi Stakes on June 25, Conquest Vivi had been working exceedingly well in the morning ahead of her successful return.
“She’s come back really well and you couldn’t ask a horse to do more,” said assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. “She’s done everything right. She wasn’t on the lead today; she sat a little farther off and I think that shows how versatile she can be. We’re really happy with her today.”
The victory marked the sixth stakes score of the meet for Conquest Stables who will be dispersing their stock at the upcoming Keeneland November sale.
“They’ve been great owners for us and have done wonderful things for racing. We’ll be sad to see them go but maybe we’ll see some of these horses back here again,” said Sullivan.
Conquest Vivi, bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm, banked $75,000 in victory and remains undefeated from three starts.
She paid $2.90, $2.30 and $2.10, combining with Dilly Dally Darby ($9.70, $3.70) for a $25.50 (7-4) exacta. A 7-4-5 trifecta (Silver Princess, $2.30 to show) was worth $88.40. Brave Autumn Rose was scratched.
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