Commandement dominates the Mucho Macho Man, Gulfstream Park Photo
Gulfstream Park Press
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Wathnan Racing’s Commandmentboth during the race and during a striking gallop leading up to it, stamped himself as a three-year-old to watch on the Triple Crown trail with a dominant 6 ¾-length win in the $175,000 Mucho Macho Man on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
The 15th running of the Mucho Macho Man for three-year-olds completing a one-turn mile on the main circuit is Gulfstream’s first step toward the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1), the nation’s leading Triple Crown preparation that celebrates its 75th running on March 28.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Brad Cox, Commandment ($3) launched his second season two months after graduating for the second time in a seven-furlong special weight at Churchill Downs. Ortiz was also ready for his Oct. 4 debut at Keeneland and went six furlongs, where he finished fourth. He was favored in each of his starts.
“Great achievement,” Cox said. “I started him at three-quarters and we thought he would continue his first run with the big gallop in his race. We took him step by step – I think furlong by furlong – and he responded well.”
Commandment broke off the rail in a field of seven as 1-2 favorite and saved ground racing in fourth place Cabourg ran the first quarter mile in 24.09 seconds, leaving a small margin Epic summer secondly pressing towards its outside. Thunder Chucka 21-1 long shot that drew the far outside post allowed him to make a first run and stay clear in third.
The half went in 47.38 as Cabourg began to pull away and Epic Summer inherited the top spot halfway through the far turn, while Thunder continued to chase Chuck in third and moved into second as Epic Summer went six furlongs in 1:10.16. Ortiz was still fifth at the time, less than two lengths in front, and was trying to make a move.
“He’s not a great gate horse,” Cox said. “He’s good, but I just told Irad to let him break and find his stride, get him into a comfortable rhythm, and he did that. He could save ground, split horses and finish well.”
Ortiz got his chance once he headed home, sailing through the horses at the top of the stretch to take the lead away from Epic Summer and pulling away in impressive fashion to win in 1:38.23 on a fast main track, showing plenty of energy after the wire and further separating himself from his rivals who galloped to the backstretch before returning to the winner’s circle.
“He broke well. He has a great mind, so let him be himself and when it was time to roll, find some space and let him do the rest,” Ortiz said. “He looked really good after the race too.
“I liked the horse from day one when I rode him short at Keeneland. I thought he could go longer. Then he won [at Churchill] and again today, so everything is going in the right direction,” he added. “I think he’s a cool horse.”
Roger That Dana made a late run to take second at odds of 23-1, 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Thunder Chuck. They were followed by Maximum capacityEpic Summer, Tripp’s promise and Cabourg. Blame Yasself, who took on the Holy Bull candidate Almost with a Friday Benefit, and the longshot Mr. Hooligan were scratched.
The margin of victory matched Itsmyluckyday’s record in 2013, when the race was contested as the Gulfstream Park Derby.
Commanding is lead sire Into Mischief whose dam, Sippican Harbor, won the Spinaway (G1) in 2018 and grandsire, Orb, won the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby (G1) in 2013. Bred in Kentucky, he raised $500,000 as a yearling in 2024.
Cox was unsure of the next step for Commandment. Gulfstream’s three-year stakes series continues with the $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) on Jan. 31 and the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb. 28, both covering 1 1/16 miles in two turns.
‘I really don’t know. We will discuss it with the police [owners] and come up with a plan, but it will definitely be around the two innings,” Cox said. “We have to give him that opportunity. He acts like he can. Irad seemed pretty confident after the race, so we’ll see where we stand.”
Trained by Kathy Ritvo of Gulfstream and co-owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Stronach Stables, Mucho Macho Man gained a huge following during his racing career, with the Village People among his many fans. He won nine of 25 starts, including the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the 2012 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2).
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