Therecomesatiger back to winning ways

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Therecomesatiger avenged his only career defeat when putting away favored T.D. Vance and drawing clear for a 1 3/4-length victory Sunday in the second running of the $174,900 Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Therecomesatiger, bred and owned by Charles Patton and trained by Tom Proctor, had finished third behind victorious T.D. Vance in his previous start, the Bryan Station at Keeneland, after opening his career with three straight wins. But a great trip under Mark Guidry and a razor-sharp effort helped him turn the tables, as he powered to victory after overtaking front-running T.D. Vance shortly after turning for home.

Therecomesatiger, a Florida-bred colt by Tiger Ridge, returned $16.40 to win after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.94 over a good turf. Longshots helped fill out the gimmicks, as Cosmonaut, a 13-1 shot, and Drum Major, an 11-1 shot, both finished resolutely from mid-pack to be second and third, respectively, in the field of nine 3-year-olds.

Sky Conqueror, the longest shot in the field at 32-1, rallied from last to narrowly wrest fourth from T.D. Vance, the 2-1 second choice. Rebel Rebel, a New York shipper who was the 8-5 favorite, had no punch when finishing seventh.

For Guidry, the Commonwealth marked a triumphant return to the saddle after a brief absence. The veteran jockey was involved in a spill in the last race Friday, and took off his mounts Saturday because of body soreness.

"I'm a little sore, but not that bad," said Guidry. "This sure did loosen me up a bit."