HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Conquest Warrior passed his first test around two turns and against winners with an authoritative five-length victory Friday at Gulfstream Park and likely earned himself a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby here on March 30. With the scratch of impressive debut winner Speak Easy, who will run in Saturday’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, Conquest Warrior was sent off the 3-5 favorite in a field of six in this first-level allowance. He didn’t disappoint. Under Jose Ortiz, Conquest Warrior sat an inside fourth down the backside, three lengths behind pacesetting Merit. He advanced into second midway around the far turn, came outside of Merit turning for home and with a big, loping stride, drew clear of Merit, the second choice in the race. It was three-quarters of a length back from Merit to Raguel in third. Conquest Warrior ($3.20), a son of City of Light owned by Don Adam’s Courtlandt Farm and trained by Shug McGaughey, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.52, earning an 84 Beyer Speed Figure. After finishing third in a fast maiden race at Aqueduct on Dec. 2, Conquest Warrior has now won two straight. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports “I thought it was the perfect race for him, he got to settle in behind horses, eat a little dirt make his run the way you’d want him to do [and] he finished up on his own,” McGaughey said of Friday’s performance. “When they came to him galloping out, [Ortiz] said he wanted to go with them so he let him do it. I’m pleased.” Both McGaughey and Ortiz indicated Conquest Warrior was a little keen going into the first turn, but he settled quickly, according to Ortiz. “Before we hit the backside he was in a good rhythm, he was breathing well, I was where I wanted to be,” Ortiz said. “I was very happy after we passed that mile pole. I think today was a great race for him to get his foundation.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.