Acquired less than two months ago by trainer Josh Green and Richard Lombardo, Triple Command won the DSBF consolation at Harrington Raceway earlier this year and finished second in his only preliminary last week. The CR Commando--Triple T Carmel colt closed quickly for Ross Wolfenden to record a lifetime-fastest, 2:00.4 triumph.
Race favorite Dingys Boy had the lead in the stretch and Bella’s Spunkypunk andCorey Callahan was also coming on when Wolfenden, who was enjoying a good trip behind the leaders, turned Triple Command loose in the lane towards victory. Bella’s Spunkypunk finished second in front of Dingys Boy – who had broken stride late in the lane -- at the wire. Command Flight (Bobby Clark) and Solo Command (Jim Morand) got checks for finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
“(Triple Command) has been bothered by sore feet,” winning driver Ross Wolfenden said. “But Josh (Green) spent a lot of time getting him ready and this horse did the rest.”
Earlier, Brief Politics had just enough to hold off Smoke Monster (Les Givens) by head to win the $20,000 DSBF Consolation. Jon Roberts drove the Political Briefing--Fidia gelding for owners Joe Eisenhower and trainer Mike Lafferty.
In the $23,000 Open trot Tony Morgan moved Sand Top Gun strongly on the backstretch to engage the leaders and the Conway Hall--Top Chip gelding took the lead in deep stretch from race favorite E L Rock (Ron Pierce), with early leader Mandabra (Corey Callahan) holding on for third.
Meet-leading driver Corey Callahan, Brad Hanners and trainer Josh Green all had three winners and Ron Pierce and trainer George Wagner each had two wins on the card.