Maryland Thoroughbred

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Our Commander takes charge in Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes
Our Commander delivered a breakout performance in the Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes on Dec. 12 at Laurel Park, outfinishing Not Abroad to score by a half length in the premier event for Maryland-bred 2-year-olds.

Sent off as third choice, at odds of 3.8-1, the Phillip Capuano homebred bobbled at the start and was reserved off the early pace set by favorite Petecarol in the seven and a half-furlong event.

A premature move to the front by Nick Petro, the rider of Not Abroad, left the door open for a late challenge from Our Commander and jockey Josean Ramirez, who hooked Not Abroad in deep stretch and edged to the front to win with more authority than the margin of victory indicated.

Bill Backer homebreds Baileys Beach and First Nite, coupled as an entry for trainer Hamilton Smith, and well back early, finished third and fourth, respectively. Next, in order of finish, were Regal Warrior, Morumsco and Petecarol.

The race was completed in 1:31.78.

“The last three sixteenths I started asking him,” said Ramirez. “I wasn’t moving very much but then I kept riding and riding like it was going to be the last race ever and just won it. I’ve been working him every morning. I can see him improving a lot. He’s a nice little horse.”

Trained by Gary Capuano, a son of the owner, Our Commander (by Tenpins) was getting his third win in a row.

He broke his maiden in his fourth try, and first appearance at Laurel, while racing for a $40,000 tag on Sept. 25. After that, Our Commander returned to air by six and a half lengths in allowance company at Laurel on Oct. 24. In six career starts he has earned $69,230.

Our Commander was bred from one of the Capuano family’s star performers, the Silver Badge mare Silver Tango. Purchased by Phil Capuano from the late breeder Jeanne Begg (Clagett) for $3,800 as a 2-year-old in 1990, Silver Tango won 17 of 47 starts for career earnings of $473,242; she captured 10 stakes and earned graded-placed status with a second in the Pimlico Oaks-G3.

Silver Tango has had eight foals to race, and seven of them are winners. She is the dam of additional stakes performers Dale’s Prospect (2001, Pioneering; $344,664, Taking Risks S, etc.) and Scarlet Tango (1998, French Deputy; $99,493, 2nd Laura Gal S).