Roman Commander rallies to win
Unable to threaten in his first start around two turns in the Norfolk last month at Santa Anita, Roman Commander improved in a softer spot Saturday and won the $100,000 Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park.
A distant fifth in the Grade II behind eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile also-rans Principle Secret and Stormello, Roman Commander (the 3-1 third choice Saturday) rallied along the rail to beat 3-1 second choice Unusual Suspect by three quarters of a length.
Trained by Gary Stute for owner Kendall Mann, the 2-year-old Deputy Commander colt, who was purchased for $50,000 at the Barretts’ sale in March, won for the second time in seven starts. He ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.77 under Isaias Enriquez and increased his earnings to $150,380.
Liquidity, the 17-10 favorite, finished third, nearly two lengths behind Unusual Suspect.
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Favorites failed in all four of the stakes run at Aqueduct, with the biggest surprises being pulled by 9-1 shots Miss Shop and Carmandia.
The former out-finished Dina, a 16-1 shot, to win the $107,800 Turnback The Alarm Handicap and Carmandia won the $150,000 First Flight Handicap.
Safari Queen, the 5-1 third choice, won the $150,000 Long Island Handicap and 3-1 second choice Drum Major beat 11-10 favorite Fishy Advice in the $114,100 Knickerbocker Handicap.
Miss Shop saved the day in the Turnback The Alarm for trainer Allen Jerkens, who also trains Teammate, the 2-5 favorite who finished fourth in the field of six.
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