'Condo' in Full Command in Gazelle

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 2 1/2 lengths back in second and Money'soncharlotte was another 2 3/4 lengths back in 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.

"She broke well today," Rodriguez said. "I was very happy. I told Joel if she broke good, just take it from there.  I don't know if (we will have the favorite for the Kentucky Oaks), but hopefully we can make it. It's still a long way to go. Hopefully, she stays sound and we take it from there. That's our goal."



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.

Wonder Gal was fourth and was followed by Sweet Corine, Noble and a Beauty, and Jacaranda.



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.

"She's just the real deal and I hope people realize that now," Dubb said. "They said she had to have the lead, but Puca came through, and that was no problem for our filly. I don't want to sound too much like a cheerleader, but I'm a proud papa."



Condo Commando has won five of six starts. Last year she broke her maiden by 12 lengths at Saratoga Race Course 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.