Change of Command Sets New Course Record in Elkwood

Morris Stable LLC’s Change of Command wore down Sleepless Knight in the shadow of the wire to post a neck victory in the $75,000 Elkwood Stakes at Monmouth Park on Friday, setting a new course record in the process.

Trained by Michael Trombetta, Change of Command sat a close-up last down the backstretch before angling for the drive and pushing past Sleepless Knight for the victory, going a mile on firm turf in 1:33.33 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 returned $12.40, $5.40 and $2.80 and topped a $43 exacta.  Sleepless Knight paid $3.40 to place and $2.20 to show.  It was another three 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 3/8ths 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.