Navy Commander sails to victory at Parx Racing

It took Navy Commander four tries to break his maiden, but when he did, he sailed to a 3 1/2-length victory at Parx Racing yesterday. The Pennsylvania-bred colt by Poseidon’s Warrior broke out of the gate in tandem with even-money favorite Jack Straight in the 5 1/2-furlong race, and they remained that way until the turn, where Frankie Pennington eased Navy Commander back on the rail and gave up the lead. But the colt immediately rallied on the outside heading into the stretch and put the favorite away easily, drawing off late to pick up the $23,520 winner’s check for owner/breeder Swilcan Stables. It was eight lengths back to the third-place finisher. Navy Commander became winner No. 5 in the first crop of Poseidon’s Warrior, who leads all Florida freshman sires with progeny earnings of $575,921.