Monmouth park Barn Notes for Thursday, August 24, 2017

By John Heims —-

CONQUEST BIG E LOOKS TO ADD TO HIS WIN STREAK IN ISELIN

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.

NJ THOROUGHBRED FESTIVAL HEADLINES SUNDAY’S CARD

The 15th annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival will headline Sunday’s live racing action at Monmouth Park featuring three stakes races for the state’s top equine athletes.
The day’s big races include the Charles Hesse III Handicap, going a mile and a sixteenth, the Eleven North Handicap, for filly and mare sprinters, and the New Jersey Breeder’s Handicap, a five and a half furlong event on the turf.
The day will also feature a New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival Insulated Tote Bag giveaway with paid admission while supplies last.
Gates will open at 11:30 a.m with first post set for 12:50 p.m.

NHC SUPER QUALIFIER SATURDAY AT MONMOUTH PARK

Monmouth Park will be hosting a $500 NHC Super Qualifier Handicapping Contest throughout the day on Saturday.
There will be nine seats available to the top finishers to two of the biggest handicapping contests in the country with seven spots up for grabs in the 2017 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship and two spot available for the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge as well as cash prizes.
You must wager on a minimum of 10 races including at least five on Monmouth Park’s 12-race card. Saratoga, who has seven graded stakes races including six Grade 1’s headlined by the Travers, will be the other contest track.
Walk-up registration will take place the day of the contest from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Gates will open at Monmouth early at 11 a.m. with first post coming at 12:50 p.m.