Navy Commander 3rd in Hilton Memorial; passes $100,000

Despite breaking to the outside and hitting the starting gate, and later getting pinned down on the rail in the stretch, Navy Commander finished a neck behind second place last night in the $85,000, 7-furlong Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Casino at the Charles Town Races. The 3-year-old gelding by Poseidon’s Warrior was coming off two straight victories and had Javier Castellano aboard looking to make it three in a row. After the unfortunate break, Navy Commander sat in third place down the backstretch and was chasing the leader into the stretch, but was unable to shift to the outside and had to settle for third. He collected a check of $8,490 for owner/breeder Swilcan Stables and now sports a record of 3-0-1 in eight starts with earnings of $102,338.

Haley’s Thunder became the third winner in a span of seven days for Anthony’s Cross, the 3-year-old filly breaking her maiden at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday in her fourth career start. She was bumped leaving the gate but still managed to battle for the lead early, then took the lead on the final turn and drew off to score by 1 1/2 lengths. Haley’s Thunder earned $6,280 after negotiating six furlongs in 1:11.69, plus getting a breeder’s award for Carol Hershe.