'Condo' in Command in Gazelle
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Condo Commando, the 3-5 choice, was an easy winner of the Gazelle Stakes (gr. II) April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The 3-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful got the nine furlongs in 1:52.17 .
Battling with Puca early through a quick opening quarter in :23.11, Condo Commando and jockey Joel Rosario took over down the backstretch and eased through a half in :48.06. The dark bay or brown filly was challenged turning for home, but was able to spurt clear in the stretch. Puca was second and Money'soncharlotte was third.
The was a major step on the road to the May 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) for Condo Commado, earning 100 points. Third in the standings heading into the race, she's safely in the Oaks now with 161 total points.
Condo Commando paid $3.30, $2.40,and $2.20. Puca returned $3.40 and $3 and Money'soncharlotte paid $8.70 to show. The $2 5-1 exacta paid $11 and the $2 trifecta of 5-1-3 paid $130.50.
The winner is owned by Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and the Elkstone Group and is trained by Rudy Rodriquez. She was bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm. Out of Yearly Report (by General Meeting), she was a $72,000 Keeneland September sale purchase in 2013.
Condo Commando has now won five of six starts. Last year she broke her maiden by 12 lengths at Saratoga then won the grade I Spinaway at the Spa by 13 1/4 lengths. She was fourth in the one-mile Frizette Stakes (gr .I) at Belmont Park and wrapped her juvenile campaign with a 11 1/2-length blowout in the Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II).
In her 2015 bow Feb. 21, Condo Commando was a 4 3/4-length victor in the $100,000 Busher Stakes over the inner track at the Big A.