Commander records three-peat in Spangled Jimmy

Commander made it look easy while winning the $51,140 Spangled Jimmy Handicap for the third straight year at Northlands Park on Saturday. He paid $3.10 as the overwhelming favorite in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up that drew seven horses.

Commander broke sharply, but Quincy Welch allowed him to settle early while Tiny Giant and Tigger Town battled it out through sprint-like fractions of 22.89 and 46.07 seconds. Without being asked, Commander started to inhale the leaders at the three-eighths pole. He assumed command on the stretch turn, took a three-length lead in the stretch, and was never threatened by For Cash, who rallied to finish second. The final margin was 3 ¾ lengths. Hoist moved with Commander going down the backstretch but couldn’t keep up and finished third.

“He’s a push-button horse and they had a steady pace up front so I just let him settle,” said Welch, who won four races on the nine-race card. “I just hoped I didn’t move too soon but I had a lot of horse left at the finish. “

Trained by Dennis Terry, Commander carried high weight of 125 pounds while winning his ninth race from 10 starts at Northlands.

Terry and Welch also teamed up to win the $49,900 John Patrick on Friday night.

As expected, Saturday Nite Ride cruised to an easy win over Portofappeal while packing high weight of 125 pounds in the one-mile race for fillies and mares Friday night. Sent off as the heavy favorite in the four-horse field, she paid $2.40.

Saturday Nite Ride broke on top and the outcome was decided when she held a clear lead after going the first quarter-mile in a tepid 26.26 seconds. She took a three-length lead over Portofappeal heading into the stretch an increased her margin to 5 1/4 lengths with little urging. Portofappeal had a perfect trip while stalking the winner the whole way. Tempered Sapphire finished third.

The final time was 1:39.55.

Commander and Saturday Nite Ride are owned by Glen Todd, who races under the stable name North American Thoroughbred Horse Company. Mark DeDomenico also owns a part of Saturday Nite Ride.