Conquest Big E, a 5-year-old son of three-time champion sire Tapit, employed front-running tactics to dominate the Hardacre Mile (G2) March 31 at Gulfstream Park, spoiling the seasonal debut of 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming.
Immediately sent to the front by jockey Jose Batista, Conquest Big E dictated the pace as Always Dreaming prompted him in second. In the stretch, Conquest Big E opened up a clear advantage and crossed the wire in 1:35.92, three lengths in front of the Derby winner, who was making his first start in seven months.
Trained by Donna Green Hurtak and owned by Daniel Hurtak, Conquest Big E was already a stakes winner and graded stakes-placed, and the Hardacre Mile was his first graded victory. He is the 65th graded stakes winner for his sire Tapit.
Conquest Big E was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds from the Carson City mare Seeinsbelieven.