Casse Looks for Plate Repeat

Trainer Mark Casse, who won his first Queen’s Plate last year with the filly Lexie Lou (Sligo Bay {Ire}), will attempt to win a second straight renewal of the Canadian Classic Sunday. Casse could saddle as many as three sophomores, led by the Conquest Stables’ duo of Conquest Curlinate (Curlin) and Conquest Boogaloo (Scat Daddy), second and third, respectively, behind Danish Dynaformer (Dynaformer) in the June 14 Plate Trial. Bill and Vicki Poston’s Oakton (Macho Uno), a Keeneland maiden winner, is also considered possible for the race. 

Conquest Curlinate finished second in the Apr. 18 GIII Illinois Derby and May 9 GII Peter Pan S. before his runner-up effort in the Plate Trial. 

“Curlinate definitely had a much better trip [in the Plate Trial] than Boogaloo,” Casse commented. “He did get held up a little bit. And that’s not him. He’s like a 747. Needs a big runway to get him rolling. He’s not a Lear Jet.” 

Conquest Curlinate breezed five furlongs in company at Woodbine Sunday in 1:01. 

“The consensus is that Curlinate worked extremely well,” continued Casse, who was in Florida at the time. “Curlinate broke off two [lengths] behind [Supersizer (Dixie Union)] and they finished together. He went really well. We were really not looking for anything spectacular. I told them to just do a nice easy work with no gallop out.” 

Conquest Boogaloo, winner of last year’s Swynford S., impressed his trainer with his third-place finish in the Plate Trial after he was forced to alter path to avoid the stricken Danzig Moon (Malibu Moon). 

“I mean, it was amazing to me that ‘Boogaloo’ ran as close as he did [in the Plate Trial],” Casse said. “Especially because when the incident happened [going into the far turn], you know, it really affected ‘Boogaloo.’ I think he lost eight or 10 lengths [by having to veer away from the trouble].” 

Conquest Boogaloo tuned up for the Queen’s Plate with a five-furlong work at Woodbine Sunday in 1:01.40. 

Casse thinks the 156th Queen’s Plate, with an expected field of 16, is anyone’s race to win. 

“I think it is a wide open race,” he said. “I think both horses have as good a shot as anybody. The Plate Trial is a perfect example of why you can never be too confident. I just know there are so many variables out of your control.” 

The last trainer to win back-to-back Queen’s Plates was Mark Frostad with Scatter the Gold in 2000 and Dancethruthedawn in 2001.