Young America

Conquistarose, closing powerfully through the stretch at the Meadowlands Racetrack, tracked down front-running Damascus Drama near the wire to win the $500,000 Young America Stakes by a half-length last night in East Rutherford, N.J. Damascus Drama, who had burst ahead early and led by three lengths at the one-eighth pole, finished second in the field of nine 2-year-olds. Finishing third was Philadelphia Park-based Win Dusty Win, who was 1 1/2 lengths behind Damascus Drama. Sent off as the even-money favorite, Conquistarose paid $4, $2.40 and $2.40.

Woody Stephens and Philip Gleaves are the friendliest of competitors. When he worked for Stephens, Gleaves galloped the best horses in the barn and rose to be the chief assistant to the Hall of Fame trainer. Gleaves, 29 and a native of Liverpool, England, is training on his own now and quickly making his mark. The Gleaves-trained Wise Times won three straight Grade I races this summer, including a score in the Travers Stakes that denied Stephens his first win in the Saratoga Race Course classic.