Recognition hits landmark

Recognition earned the first stakes victory of his career in the $50,000 Dust Commander Stakes at Turfway. Racing in a snowstorm, Recognition was always forwardly placed under jockey Inosencio Diego. Third after a quarter-mile, he stalked the pacesetting Holy City in second place down the backstretch, as that one set a soft half-mile fraction of 49.38 seconds in the one-mile race.

Recognition went after Holy City on the second turn, taking the lead after six furlongs in 1:14.11. He maintained a narrow lead, turning back a midstretch challenge from third-place finisher King of Speed, and then outlasting a fast-closing Esprit Du Roi by a head.

Trained by Jim Corrigan, Recognition ran the mile on Polytrack in 1:38.68. He paid $18.80.

Esprit Du Roi finished quickly and likely would have caught Recognition in one or two more strides. He finished three-quarters of a length in front of King of Speed, with favored Buddy Got Even a length farther back in fourth.

Skeleton Crew and Tolhwin Type, two horses that figured to challenge for the pace, were scratched.

Recognition improved his record to 5-5-3 in 17 starts. He has earned $161,420 for owners Edmond and Sharon Hudon, who also bred the 5-year-old gelded son of Surachai.