News & Barn notes

Conquest Big E Looks To Add To His Win Streak in Iselin

August 24, 2017

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Conquest Big E will try to make it three straight wins and his first graded stakes victory when he faces four others in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Phillip H. Iselin Stakes, going a mile and an eighth.

            The 4-year-old gelding by Tapit out of the Carson City mare Seeinsbelieven is coming off back-to-back victories in front-running fashion at Gulfstream Park by a combined 15 ½ lengths including a win in the Coast Is Clear Handicap on July 23. Jilver Chamafi has been aboard for his last two and will get the call again Saturday.

            Conquest Big E sold for $700,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September sale as a yearling and went on to break his maiden in his second career start in 2015 at Keeneland before making a run in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, finishing eighth behind champion two-year-old and Kentucky Derby victor Nyquist.

            His best finish in graded stakes company came in last year’s Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park where he finished fourth against multiple graded stakes winner Mohaymen.

            Owned by Tommy Roberts, Conquest Big E has worked once in preparation for the Iselin at Gulfstream Park. He ran the bullet five furlongs in :59 4/5 over the fast main track.

            “He continues to work well and he does it all on his own,” said trainer Donna Green Hurtak. “He came out of last race in wonderful shape. Since getting to Monmouth last week, he’s really settled in nicely. He’s taken to the track really well after seeing him go over it the past few days.”

            To add the Iselin to his resume, Conquest Big E will have to hold off a pair of local favorites. Just Call Kenny, for Pat McBurney, is coming off consecutive graded stakes place finishes in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile and the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup and Eddie Plesa Jr. trainee Mr. Jordan exits a five-length allowance score at Parx on July 18.

            The Iselin will run as race 7 on Saturday’s 12-race card. Gates will open early at 11 a.m. with first post scheduled for 12:50 p.m.