Preakness 2017: Conquest Mo Money from Parts Unknown

What a long strange trip it's been already for Conquest Mo Money -- and heading into Saturday's Preakness, he's only run five times. A New York-bred son of Uncle Mo, he was first purchased as an unborn bonus by Sequel Stables for his pregnant dam, Stirring. Sold as a yearling at Saratoga to the well known Conquest Stables, the $180,000 purchase never made it to the races while in the barn of Mark Casse, before entering the Conquest dispersal sale last fall. When the hammer fell on Conquest Mo Money, Tom McKenna of Judge Lanier Racing had himself a true bargain at $8,500.

The New Mexico businessman brought the colt home with him and into the barn of Miguel Hernandez. Described as lazy at first, Conquest Mo Money would not make his first start until January 6 at Sunland Park. The 5-1 shot was a game first-time winner, and came back 23 days later for the Riley Allison Stakes. Underestimated at odds of nearly 14-1, the bay colt won by 11 lengths. Suddenly the bargain purchase was making things pretty interesting for his 81-year-old owner. 

Next came the Mine That Bird Derby where he upset the California shipper, Irap. That was enough for his connections to run their undefeated youngster in the biggest race of all at Sunland Park. He ran well in the $800,000 Sunland Derby, but lost his undefeated record when Hence came from way back to win going away. Just days before his second-place finish in the rich, local race, his story became just a little bit more interesting when the check to make him a late nomination for the Triple Crown arrived past the deadline.

Not nominated to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, or Belmont, Conquest Mo Money hit the road for the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. The New York-bred, via New Mexico was ignored by bettors, but they were proved very wrong. Running as tough as a $2 steak, the shipper nearly won the whole thing. Finally falling just short, when the champion, Classic Empire, surged late.

With the big nomination fee looming, it was announced that Conquest Mo Money would not be part of the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby. Deciding to pay the $150,000 for the final two legs rather than the $200,000 that would have made him eligible for all three, his owner figured the five-weeks between the Arkansas Derby and Preakness was the prudent move to make for his stable star. 

While most of the best three-year-olds in the nation traveled to Louisville, Conquest Mo Money was shipped to Prairie Meadows Racecourse in Iowa. There he would get in three workouts in preparation for racing's Middle Jewel, including a sharp four furlongs in :48.40 on Friday.

The New York-bred from New Mexico, by way of Arkansas and Iowa, will not have name connections like most in the Preakness. Miguel Hernandez will continue to train, and Jorge Carreno will continue to ride the Judge Lanier Racing runner. 

He won't be the favorite in the Preakness, or even the second choice, as those two spots belong to Always Dreaming and Classic Empire. Other than the Kentucky Derby winner and the Juvenile Champion, though, Conquest Mo Money is one of the horses that should attract the most attention from the bettors.

If he runs his race, and somehow becomes the first New York-bred to win a Triple Crown race since Funny Cide won the Preakness 14 years ago, it will be one of the more interesting stories our sport has seen in a long time.