Commando The Speed-son From “the Black Whirlwind”

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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Even though he didn’t have a long living career as a race horse, he had inherited what it needed to establish himself as a potential speed threat to all his contemporaries; Commando, sired by Domino out of mare Emma C., derived his particular speed characteristic from his sire Domino who in turn was the great grandson of the legendary speed paradigm, Eclipse.
Foaled in 1898, at the James R. Keene farm, the Castleton Stud, Commando was born a bay colt, with a comparatively slow maturation that somehow didn’t do much to convince his connections of his capabilities unless he broke his maiden with the Zephyr Stakes in 1900. His remarkable debut soon followed with the Great Trial Stakes held not more than a week ago. The six furlong race was faster than the six furlongs from his maiden race recording it in 1:11 4/5, a complete 2 seconds faster and against a contender who later followed him through many of his other accomplishments, The Parader.
He then went on to win the Montauk Stakes, another six furlong race by a lead of eight lengths, against slower contenders Cresson and Bedeck finishing second and third respectively. ...
... The pace was slower than usual, not very much a signature style of the speed-son. He soon returned with another win in the Brighton Junior Stakes against Olympian to whom he gave away as much as 13 pounds. His winning spree in the very maiden racing season witnessed him demolishing the Junior Champion Stakes, a victory he earned easily; Olympian finished third with Bellario battling for second. His season’s last, came up in the Matron Stakes, run at six furlongs which he lost due to “pure poor ride”. Beau Gallant finished a clear first while Commando settled for second and arch rival, The Parader, for third.
Commando’s racing career didn’t last too long. His sophomore comprised of mere three races, a disappointment, especially after his Two Year Old Championship and Horse of the Year Award for 1900. Commando returned to the racetracks against The Parader in the Belmont Stakes, being run at 11 furlongs. He undoubtedly won the race with a half a length lead on his arch rival (The Parader, who finished second) and All Green, finishing third. The Carlton Stakes that followed right after the Belmont had only two horses enter. Commando was challenged by Blues, the sole thoroughbred that was knocked down with a four lengths lead in the 8 furlongs race.
It’s surprising how Commando, who ran Lawrence Realization Handicap, the next, would be running his last race following such an impressive winning streak. During the race, Commando who stalked the pace and overtook for lead after a mile suddenly broke down and never could race again. Commando never went back to his original form which called for an early retirement to stud.
Owing to his remarkable in the money finishes out of nine starts, winning seven, Commando was recognized with the Horse of the Year award along with U.S. Champion Three Year Old. Commando excelled as a sire making him the Leading U.S. sire in 1907, two years after his demise. Commando, who lived for not more than seven years, sired many stakes winners, a progeny that included great race horses Colin and Peter Pan.

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