Conquest Warrior in New Territory in March 1 Allowance

One day before the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), Gulfstream Park stages a first-level allowance optional claiming race March 1 that could potentially advance 3-year-olds toward the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) there.

Friday's $91,000 race at 1 1/8 miles on dirt drew a field of seven, including several with apparent stakes potential, though two of these—Speak Easy  and Merit —have since been entered in the Fountain of Youth and could run there.

If quick debut winner Speak Easy bows out of Friday's race, Courtlandt Farms' Conquest Warrior  figures to start as a prohibitive favorite after a troubled-trip maiden win Jan. 13 at Gulfstream. Away a step slowly, he immediately was squeezed and shuffled back at the start before regaining contact with the field late on the backstretch.

Closing on the turn between horses, he was steadied just before the stretch under Jose Ortiz, before angling outside and passing four rivals on his way to a half-length victory. 

The City of Light   3-year-old, out of the multiple stakes-winning Pulpit mare Tea Time , had been third in his initial start at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 2.

Beyond Speak Easy and Merit, the field further includes Wertheimer and Frere's Nomos , who shifts from turf to dirt and races with blinkers off after a close fourth-place finish against first-level allowance optional claiming runners Jan. 13. The Uncle Mo   colt races for Todd Pletcher and has Luis Saez up.