Condo Commando Splashes to Spinaway Win

Condo Commando romps in a sloppy Spinaway Stakes. (Photos by NYRA/Coglinese Photos)
Condo Commando made the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes a memorable one for race caller Tom Durkin, winning the race during a heavy Saratoga rainstorm and ending the legendary caller’s career on a high note.
The 2-year-old filly hesitated coming out the gate but quickly made up for it, pulling away to lead by a few lengths after the first quarter. By the top of the stretch, Condo Commando made sure everyone knew that she enjoyed the mud, pulling away to win the seven furlong test by 13 ¼ lengths with jockey Joe Bravo aboard.
Durkin perfectly described Condo Commando’s run in the Spinaway by saying the filly was “splashtastic” after she crossed the wire.
"My biggest concern was trying to get out of the gate, and she overcame that and look what she did," Bravo said. "Our main concern was to try to get in front. We don't want a lot of dirt to hit her in the face. She overpowered everybody. Really, the race was won the first eighth of a mile. She won first time out pretty impressively, but you didn't know how good she is. I think today she answered a lot of questions."
CONDO COMMANDO EYES THE CAMERA AS SHE HITS THE WIRE

Covering the seven furlongs in a time of 1:24.68, Condo Commando went off at odds of 3-1 for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and owners Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stakes, and The Elkstone Group. By The Moon was the filly to get the closest to the winner with Angela Renee rounding out the top three.
The Spinaway was Condo Commando’s second win in as many career starts with her first victory coming earlier this month in a Saratoga maiden that saw her win by 12 lengths. Rodriguez said the filly wasn't fit for that effort and he was worried about the slop in this race but the filly gave him nothing to worry about.
"When I saw the slop, I thought we were in trouble from the No. 1 hole, and she didn't break good. She did it easy, though. She wasn't 100 percent fit for her debut, but she was much better today. I just hope she comes back good. She's a nice filly," he said.
Condo Commando is out of multiple Grade 2 winner Yearly Report and by Tiz Wonderful.
Condo Commando paid $8.70 to win on a $2 ticket.
TOM DURKIN'S FINAL RACE CALL

Courtesy of the New York Racing Association