Conquest Strate Up remained undefeated in three starts while taking her first added-money score in Saturday’s $125,000 La Prevoyante Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Mark Casse for Conquest Stables LLC., the bay daughter of Not Bourbon arrived at the one-turn mile over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course for Ontario-sired sophomore fillies from a pair of turf sprint wins under jockey Patrick Husbands.
A slow starter in both her previous scores, Conquest Strate Up was once again tardy from the gate under new rider Alan Garcia, but settled kindly along the hedge as Hot Cross Buns set splits of :23.95 and :47.82 while under pressure from Internal Bourbon and She’s Explosive.
Internal Bourbon, with Eurico Rosa da Silva up, edged to the lead at the top of the lane but the patient Garcia angled between rivals in upper stretch and rallied stoutly for a head score. Internal Bourbon held place by a 1/2-length over the late running Danish Princess. Conquest Strate Up covered the mile in 1:35.58 over a ‘Firm’ turf.
Garcia wasn’t concerned about the slow start as his filly was travelling easily behind rivals.
“She did the same thing the last two races, leaving a bit slow,” said Garcia. “But, I was so comfortable being at the back, nice and quiet. I was only waiting for the turn home to let my filly run.”
It was the 14th stakes win of the meet for Garcia who is enjoying a tremendous first season at Woodbine.
Conquest Strate Up, bred in Ontario by Charles Fipke, banked $75,000 in victory.
She paid $12.30, $7.40 and $4.70, combining with Internal Bourbon ($4.60, $3.40) for a $57.70 (1-5) exactor. A 1-5-4 triactor (Danish Princess, $6.20 to show) was worth $636.70, while a $1 Superfecta [1-5-4-2 (London Tower)] came back $1182.30.