Northlands: Commander dominates in Don Fleming Handicap

Heavily favored Commander paid $2.20 for his dominating win in the $50,000 Don Fleming Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at Northlands Park on Monday.

Mario Gutierrez put Commander on the lead in the 1 1/16-mile race, and after coasting through moderate fractions of 24.80 seconds, 49.00, and 1:13.80 he started to pull away from the field on the stretch turn. Without any serious urging by Gutierrez, Commander drew off to win by 7 1/4 lengths over Footprint, who chased him the whole way. Real Dingo rallied to finish third in the five-horse field.

The final time was 1:45.00.

It was Commander's third straight stakes win at Northlands. He is trained by Dennis Terry.

"He just loves Northlands," said Terry.

Commander is owned by Glen Todd.

Earlier on the card, Hastings invaders Heidi Maria and Overvalued finished first and second in the $50,000 Madamoiselle for fillies and mares. Heidi Maria overtook Overvalued in the late stretch to win the mile and a sixteenth race by three quarters of a length. She paid $10.10.

Heidi Maria was ridden by Richard Hamel and is trained by Dave Forster. She is owned by Arnold and Judy Bennewith.