Conquest Big E makes first start on turf in Better Talk Now

Conquest Big E makes his first start since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 3 Gotham in March at Aqueduct and turns to the turf as he faces five other sophomores in Monday's $100,000 Better Talk Now at a mile.

Trained by Mark Casse, the gray son of Tapit was 2-for-4 in 2015, with his only off-the-board finish coming when eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In his only other start this year, he was fourth behind winner Mohaymen in the Grade 2 Holy Bull in January at Gulfstream Park. 

A $700,000 yearling purchase by Conquest Stables, Conquest Big E will leave from post position 5 and was tabbed at 8-1 on the morning line. Jose Lezcano will ride.

Hammers Vision, who beat older horses on July 31 in an off-the-turf allowance, is the narrow 2-1 favorite on the morning line as he goes in search of his first stakes win. The Brian Lynch trainee was third in last year's Grade 2 Saratoga Special behind Exaggerator and this year has registered a pair of fifth-place finishes in the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge at Belmont and the Charley Barley in June at Woodbine.

Hall of Famer John Velazquez rides from post position 6.

Expected to vie for favoritism as well are the Christophe Clement-trained Noble Quality and Mighty Mo from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

The stakes-placed Noble Quality came up a neck short in his most recent start, finishing second as the 4-5 favorite in the Lamplighter in July 23 at Monmouth, while Mighty Mo was sixth last out in the Grade 3 Kent at Delaware Park.

Rounding out the field are Dragon Bay, disqualified to fourth after finishing second in the Toronto Cup in July, and Our Way, 2-1-1 in five starts this year including a come-from-behind victory in an optional claimer at the Better Talk Now distance on July 23.