Bravo Lands Summer Win on Conquest Daddyo

Jockey Joe Bravo expected to ride Saturday's Kentucky Downs card, but when racing there was canceled due to excessive moisture in the turf course, he found himself hightailing it to Woodbine to pick up two mounts.

First Bravo was a lackluster sixth aboard Silky Girl in the Natalma Stakes (Can-IIT), a race won by Mark Casse trainee Catch a Glimpse. But two races later, there he went on a 15-1 shot, charging down the turf course to win the $226,400 Summer Stakes (Can-IIT) with Conquest Daddyo.

"The other Casse," Conquest Daddyo was overlooked off a runner-up finish in the Aug. 15 Vandal Stakes on the all-weather at Woodbine after breaking his maiden on the same surface July 26, while his stablemate Conquest Enforcer—a buzz horse making his first start—was off at shorter odds at 7-2 in the field of nine.  

But Conquest Daddyo had more to give in his turf debut, and after following seventh behind pacesetter Manhattan Dan through an opening quarter in :22.74 and a half in :46.25, the Scat Daddy   colt was on the roll through three-quarters in 1:11.06 and kicked on down the lane to win in 1:36.61 on turf rated good.

"What a cool little horse," Bravo said. "He was so quiet and relaxed. Down the backside, I watched the race unfold and he was so content and in charge of everything. When we got to the top of the lane, I asked him and he was there for me... He made the lead a lot faster than I expected... I hope I get to sit on him next time, because he has a real turn of foot if you let him get into himself."

Sky Marshal finished 1 3/4 lengths back in second under jockey Alan Garcia, who said he thought the Sky Mesa   colt would appreciate added distance.

"Turning for home I was looking for a hole and that took a little while, but he came with a good kick," Garcia said. "I was looking for a little more ground at the end."

The win was a third straight in the Summer Stakes for Conquest and Casse, who took the 2014 edition with Conquest Typhoon and won in 2013 with the filly My Conquestadory. With the mile turf test listed as a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race for the Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) at Keeneland, Casse said that event is one he will likely enter.

"I haven't had a chance yet to talk to (Conquest owner) Ernie (Semersky), but he loves the Breeders' Cup and I'm sure he'll be excited to  get there," Casse said. "This horse worked extremely well on the grass the other day; horses by Scat Daddy love the grass and this is a big, long-striding colt that's just going to get better the farther he runs."

Conquest Daddyo paid $33.80, $13.80, and $7.90 while Sky Marshal returned $9.60 and $6.60 with Manhattan Dan bringing $5.10 while holding another 1 3/4 lengths back in third. Conquest Enforcer, Hollywood Hideaway, Bear'sway, Hammers Vision, The Zip Zip Man, and Gigantic Breeze completed the order of finish. Dragon Bay was a late scratch after hijinks in the gate.

Conquest purchased their latest stakes winner, who was bred in Ontario by James Everatt, Janeane Everatt & Arika Everatt-Meeuse out of the Thunder Gulch mare Hangingbyamoment, for $350,000 from the Paramount Sales consignment at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. He also went through the ring at the 2014 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale and sold to Springhouse Farm from Shannondoe Farm's consignment for $150,000. The Summer victory improved his earnings to $162,328 with that 2-1-0 record from three starts.