Condo Commando dominates by more than 13 lengths in Spinaway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – “Condo Commando was Splashtastic!”

The final words of the final call of legendary track announcer Tom Durkin’s career accurately summed up Sunday’s 123rd running of the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes after Condo Commando did indeed splash herself to a dominating 13 1/4-length victory over By the Moon in the Grade 1 fixture for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga.

Condo Commando, a daughter of Tiz Wonderful, registered an equally one-sided triumph in her only other start, which came under a $75,000 claiming tag here four weeks earlier. Fortunately for owners Michael Dubb, the Bethlehem Stables, and The Elkstone Group, as well as her trainer, Rudy Rodriguez, there were no takers at the claim box that afternoon.

Condo Commando got away to an awkward start, but jockey Joe Bravo wisely sent her up to control the pace over a sloppy and sealed racetrack that had favored speed throughout the card. Condo Commando set a realistic pace, posting splits of 22.46 seconds and 45.89 over the wet going, settled into the stretch with a long lead, and steadily increased her advantage while greeted at the wire by the last of Durkin’s memorable calls.

By the Moon moved into the attending position before a half-mile and, while no match for the winner, easily was second best, finishing six lengths in front of Angela Renee, the 8-5 favorite, who bumped briefly with the winner after the start and steadily weakened after moving within striking distance briefly on the turn.

Condo Command completed seven furlongs in 1:24.68 and paid $8.70.

“Our main concern was to try to get to the front,” said Bravo, who also rode Condo Commando to victory in her debut. “We didn’t want a lot of dirt to hit her in the face. She overpowered everybody today. Really, the race was won in the first eighth of a mile. I think she answered a lot of questions today.”