By Joe Bianca
There were few more coveted lots in Keeneland November's Conquest Stables dispersal than ascendant sophomore turfer Conquest Enforcer (Into Mischief), and after hammering down for $785,000, the big bay will make his West Coast debut for Loooch Racing Stables and trainer Phil D'Amato in the GII Mathis Brothers Mile at Santa Anita.
Fed a diet comprising only of stakes races in his first seven starts, Conquest Enforcer has earned victories in four non-graded events–the Ontario-bred Cup and Saucer S. and Queenston S., as well as the open Allied Forces S. and Charlie Barley S.–but has yet to connect with a graded score, running fourth in the 2015 GII Summer S. to begin his career and third in both the GII Play the King S. and GII Nearctic S. this term. Given a slight 7-2 nod on the morning line, he comes into the race off of a bullet five-furlong work in :59 flat (1/120) on the local dirt Dec. 19.
The main threat to Conquest Enforcer appears to be Reddam Racing's Frank Conversation (Quality Road). Hero of the California Derby and GIII El Camino Real Derby last winter, the $120,000 OBS March buy was seventh in the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 26 and took a while to return to form before scoring a 36-1 shocker in the GII Twilight Derby here Nov. 4. Frank Conversation legitimized that upset effort with a good third last time out in the Dec. 3 GI Hollywood Derby at Del Mar.
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