Northlands: Commander continues to roll along by taking Westerner

Once again, Commander dominated his rivals at Northlands Park, this time scoring a convincing win in the $50,000 Westerner Handicap on Saturday. It was the 5-year-old Commander’s seventh win from eight starts at Northlands the past two years. Last year he won the Westerner by eight lengths.

Westerner ($4) also gave trainer Dennis Terry, jockey Aaron Gryder, and owner Glen Todd their second stakes win on the 13-race Canadian Derby card. Earlier, Gryder guided Saturday Nite Ride to a front-running win in the $75,000 City of Edmonton Distaff for fillies and mares.

Breaking sharply from the rail, Commander controlled the 1 1/16-mile race from start to finish. He held a four-length lead after six furlongs in 1:12.20 and never looked threatened while posting a 1 1/2-length decision over Senor Rojo. Toccetive rallied from last to finish third.

“For such a big horse he really handles the turns well here,” said Gryder. “He just loves doing what he’s doing.”

Saturday Nite Ride won the Distaff over a fast track but due to a severe thunder and lightning storm that included heavy rain, Commander accomplished his win over a track rated sloppy. He posted a final time of 1:44.