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Master Command looks like a million at Hawthorne Aaron and Marie Jones' MASTER COMMAND (A.P. Indy) shook clear of Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint) after six furlongs and cruised home a decisive 3 3/4-length winner of the $250,000 National Jockey Club H. (G3) at Hawthorne on Saturday. Breaking alertly under John Velazquez, the chestnut quickly hooked up with 7-5 second choice Sweetnorthernsaint, beginning a virtual match race, before reaching a half-mile in :46 4/5 and beginning to inch clear. The Todd Pletcher charge completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 2/5, and rewarded his backers with mutuels of $2.80 and $2.10 as the 2-5 choice. Sweetnorthernsaint was clear in second by 37 1/4 lengths, while completing the $3.60 exacta. Le Jester (Pyramid Peak) was next and followed by Courthouse (Doneraile Court). The trifecta paid $3.60, while the 4-1-3-2 superfecta was good for $4.20. Bred in Pennsylvania by Brushwood Stable, Master Command sold for $650,000 at the 2003 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August sale and is the first stakes winner out of the winning Lady Lochinvar (Lord at War [Arg]), who is also the dam of Spinaway S. (G1) third-place runner X Star (Pulpit) and a yearling Pulpit filly. Lady Lochinvar hails from Lady Winborne (Secretariat), making her a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Al Mamoon (Believe It) and a full sibling to Grade 1 victress La Gueriere. Grade 1 hero Honor in War (Lord at War [Arg]) is also a close relation. Master Command joined the millionaire club ($1,110,893) in earnings following this tally, while boosting his lifetime mark to 15-8-2-2. The five-year-old captured his fifth career graded win and third in succession, following tallies in the New Orleans H. (G2) and Mineshaft H. (G3). He earned his first graded win in last year's William Donald Schaefer H. (G3) and also captured the Meadowlands Breeders' Cup S. (G2).
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