Morris Stable's Change of Command set a Monmouth Park new course record for a mile on turf July 5 when he wore down Sleepless Knight for a neck victory in the $75,000 Elkwood Stakes (VIDEO).
Trained by Michael Trombetta, Change of Command was last, but never far back, down the backstretch before angling for the drive and pushing past Sleepless Knight for the victory, stopping the timer in 1:33.33 over the firm turf course with the portable rail set out 36 feet. The previous mark was held by Bestowed, who traveled the same distance in 1:33.64 in 2007.
Change of Command paid $12.40, $5.40 and $2.80 and topped a $43 exacta. Sleepless Knight was worth $3.40 and $2.20. It was another two lengths back to Tune Me In, who paid $2.80 to show.
"I've been on him many times and even in the beginning I knew he was this kind of horse," said winning jockey Joe Bravo. "It's cool now to see him grow up and win these races. He has such a good turn of foot and he pretty much places himself where he needs to be. Around the three-eighths pole I had to check a little bit, but that was just me trying to get him to the outside. He took care of the rest."
A 6-year-old gelding by Gators N Bears from the Let's Go Blue mare Doctor Campbell, Change of Command has won eight of his 22 lifetime starts and has earned $277,060.
Change of Command set a Monmouth Park new course record for five furlongs on turf in theElkwood Stakes.
William Osborn/EQUI-PHOTO