Conquest Vivi won a stirring pace battle with Raglan Road to stay undefeated while making her stakes debut in Saturday’s $125,000 Nandi Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Mark Casse for owner Conquest Stables LLC., Conquest Vivi arrived at the 5 ½-furlong Tapeta sprint for Ontario-sired juvenile fillies from a ridden-out 6 ¼-length score in a maiden allowance tilt on June 12.
By Court Vision, out of the Victory Gallop dam Keen Victory, Conquest Vivi is a half-sister to the well-regarded multiple stakes winner Conquest Enforcer. Sent to post as the 3-5 mutuel favourite under jockey Patrick Husbands, Conquest Vivi dueled with Raglan Road, piloted by Gary Boulanger, through splits of :23 and :46.38 as Green Freedom, under rider Luis Contreras, tracked their early foot.
Conquest Vivi and Raglan Road separated themselves from the field turning for home and the winner, under a confident ride by Husbands, prevailed by 2 1/2-lengths. A game and determined Raglan Road held on for place by 2 ¼-lengths over a rallying Ring in the Nite. Conquest Vivi covered 5 ½-furlongs in 1:04.98.
Husbands was keen to get out of the gate quickly from the outside post in a field of nine fillies.
“She’s a pretty fast little filly so you just want to get across and clear the other horses,” said Husbands.
The veteran rider, who recorded his 3000th career win a week ago, is hopeful that Conquest Vivi can match the success of her older brother, Conquest Enforcer.
“She’s still got a long way to go. She’s growing everyday, but she’s very classy,” said Husbands.
Conquest Vivi, bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm, banked $75,000 in victory and remains undefeated in two starts.
She paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10, combining with Raglan Road ($6, $4.20) for an $18.50 (8-1) exactor. An 8-1-2 triactor (Ring in the Nite, $4.40 to show) was worth $85.40, while a $1 Superfecta [8-1-2-6 (Crumlin Queen)] came back $33.31.
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