Tracy and Carol Farmer have chosen Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., as the permanent home for two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator, it was announced Oct. 2.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Tracy Farmer's multiple grade I-winning gelding Commentator arrived Sept. 10 at Mike Evans' Sheltowee Woodford near Versailles, Ky., where he will live out his retirement.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) paid tribute to Commentator Sept. 6, at Saratoga Race Course. The 8-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Tracy Farmer and trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, was retired from racing Aug. 9, a day after finishing third in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I). He was attempting to join Discovery and Kelso as the only three-time winners of the race in its 82-year history.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Robert LaPenta Coal Play, best known for nearly shocking Big Brown in last year's Haskell Invitational (gr. I), will look for his fourth win over the Monmouth Park main track when he takes on six rivals in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) on Aug. 22.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The New York Racing Association will pay tribute to one of the most popular horses in racing when the recently-retired Commentator is honored on Sept. 6 at Saratoga.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tracy Farmer's two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator has been retired after finishing third in his quest for a record-tying third win in the Saratoga event, trainer Nick Zito announced on the morning of Aug. 9.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
The longest shot in a field of six, 18-1 Bullsbay pulled a shocking upset in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga, splitting horses on the turn and pulling away for a 1 1/2-length score under Jeremy Rose.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Jason, Tom, and Les Instone from Brisnet/Twinspires.com preview the Arlington Million (gr. I). Plus picks for the Whitney (gr. I).
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The ageless Commentator will try to stand alongside the great Kelso as the oldest horse ever to win the prestigious Whitney Handicap (gr. I), a race he will also attempt to capture for a record-tying third time.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Commentator, the 8-year-old who Aug. 8 will attempt to become only the third horse in history to win the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) three times, turned in another excellent work Aug. 1 at Saratoga, covering a half-mile in :47.85, handily.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Macho Again, winner of last year's Jim Dandy (gr. II), turned in a bullet work before the heaviest of the rains began July 31 as he prepared for the grade I, $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 8.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tracy Farmer's Commentator, the expected elder statesmen of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) on Aug. 8 at Saratoga, turned in a bullet work over the Oklahoma track at Saratoga July 23, breezing five furlongs in :59.12.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Commentator rolled to an easy win June 12 at Belmont Park, beating Stud Muffin by seven lengths in the $64,950 Kashatreya Stakes.
Friday, June 12, 2009
A combination of talent and home-field advantage helped Researcher produce a powerful victory in the inaugural Charles Town Classic at Charles Town Races & Slots the evening of April 18. And he vanquished a few grade I winners in the process.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tracy Farmer's Commentator drew post 6 and the popular 8-year-old gelding will be the likely favorite when he makes his 2009 debut in the inaugural Charles Town Classic, potentially worth $1 million on April 18.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
For the sixth time in the last seven seasons, the New York Thoroughbred Breeders champions for 2008 included two or more grade I winners for the year.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Top horses from around the United States have been nominated to the inaugural Charles Town Classic, which could be worth up to $1 million depending on which horses start in the April 18 event.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Two-time Eclipse Horse of the Year Curlin and his connections have swept the top awards for 2008, as voted by the members of the New York Turf Writers Association. All of the 2008 award winners will be honored at the 86th annual NYTWA Awards Dinner at the Saratoga National Golf Club Aug. 24.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and his connections have swept the top awards for 2008 as voted by the members of the New York Turf Writers Association.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Einstein stormed past heavy favorite Commentator at the top of the stretch and then held off longshot Delightful Kiss to win the Nov. 28 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs by 1 1/2 lengths.
Friday, November 28, 2008
This week, Jason and Tom analyze the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 28. Also Brisnet's handicapping expert "The Wizard" gives his "Spotlight Play" for Fair Grounds Race 8 on November 28.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Like a fine wine, Commentator seems to get better with age. And on Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs, Tracy Farmer's remarkable 7-year-old gelding will try to cap off a terrific season when he takes on seven rivals in the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II).
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tracy Farmer's two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator, Robert LaPenta's 2008 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Da' Tara and Four Roses Thoroughbreds' 2007 Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) winner Anak Nakal, all trained by Nick Zito, headline a list 26 horses nominated to the $400,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) to be run Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Suffolk Downs wrapped up its 2008 racing season with declines in live wagering and attendance and an increase in all-sources handle, track officials announced Nov. 13.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Two-time Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Commentator could end his successful racing season at Churchill Downs with a bid for the 134th running of the $500,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) Nov. 28.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
WinStar Farm has announced that Distorted Humor, North America's leading sire by number of stakes winners in 2005, '06, and '07, will stand the 2009 breeding season for a $225,000 stud fee.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This episode includes recaps of Mass Cap and the Super Derby, previews of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Beldame and Lady's Secret, and much, much more.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Commentator took command of the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap with three furlongs to run and won by a record 14 lengths at odds of 1-10 at Suffolk Downs Sept. 20.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This episode includes recaps of the Futurity and the Arlington-Washington Futurity and the Monmouth Stakes, preview of the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes, and much, much more.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Why should this year's incarnation of the MassCap be any different than the other 65 events contested beneath the deafening roar of overhead planes from nearby Logan Airport?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Commentator, a two-time grade I winner for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito, leads a field of seven for the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap Sept. 20 at Suffolk Downs.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. This week's topics include Hialeah, Jeremy Rose, the second season of racing.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito gave every credit to Commentator after the 7-year-old gelding won his second Whitney Handicap (gr. I) by 4 ¾ lengths over Student Council and Grasshopper July 26 at Saratoga. Zito was thrilled that the New York-bred, owned by Tracy Farmer, can now be counted alongside multiple Whitney winner Kelso.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Three years after last winning the Whitney Handicap (gr. I), 7-year-old Commentator returned to the Saratoga winner's circle when he galloped to a surprisingly easy front-running victory in the $750,000 Spa fixture.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Three years after winning the Whitney Handicap (gr. I), Tracy Farmer's Commentator returns to Saratoga's richest race for handicap horses as the most accomplished of the 11 entered in the July 26 fixture.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
James Barry purchased his 4-year-old Divine Park for just $20,000 at Keeneland's September yearling sale in 2005. Less than three years later, the son of Chester House became a grade I winner when he ran down the talented Commentator in the $600,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Monday, May 26, 2008
In January, Tracy Farmer's Commentator blistered to a new track record at Gulfstream Park as he trounced an outclassed field of five allowance competitors by 14 lengths. In March, he demolished six Richter Scale Sprint Handicap (gr. II) contenders while drawing off to win by 13 3/4 lengths. But the 7-year-old Distorted Humor gelding faces his steepest test of the season this Memorial Day, when he heads a field of nine in the $600,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Tracy Farmer's Commentator proved to be back in the top form he was nearly three years ago when he won the 2005 Whitney Handicap (gr. I), this time trouncing five rivals to take the $200,000 Richter Scale Sprint Handicap (gr. II) by 13 3/4-lengths March 8 at Gulfstream Park.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Seven rivals will look to knock off Lazy F Ranch's red-hot Chatain March 8 in the $200,000 Richter Scale Sprint Handicap (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
For trainer Nick Zito, this week has truly been the best of times and the worst of times, at least where older horses are concerned. One day after 5-year-old Hesanoldsalt had to be euthanized following a freak accident at Palm Meadows, 7-year-old Commentator set a track record at Gulfstream Park - and blew away his competition with a 14-length victory Jan. 17.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Timber Reserve missed three months of training after his game victory in the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II). Now he's back, seeking to emerge as a top 4-year-old in the Hal's Hope Handicap (gr. III) Jan. 6 at Gulfstream Park.
Friday, January 04, 2008
A freshened Diabolical sat patiently behind a hot pace for jockey Mario Pino, then turned in a powerful run from the eighth pole to edge a determined Attila's Storm in the $260,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. II) at Saratoga Saturday.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The July 28 A.G. Vanderbilt (gr. II) at Saratoga figures to be an interesting race with a wide-open field, as six of the eight participants are coming off victories.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
High Finance left the grade I winner Commentator behind in the final furlong to win the $197,500 Tom Fool Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park Wednesday and register his first stakes victory for trainer Richard Violette Jr.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Trainer Nick Zito could not think any more highly of Tracy Farmer's Commentator, the standout in Wednesday's competitive $200,000 Tom Fool Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Tracy Farmer's Commentator, a contender for the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), was withdrawn from the race Monday, Oct. 30, due to an injury.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Trainer Dallas Stewart took advantage of Keeneland's all-weather track Saturday morning, shipping Lemons Forever from Churchill Downs for her final work in preparation for the Emirates Airling Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I). The 3-year-old filly went five furlongs in :59 4/5.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Tracy Farmer's Sun King, runner-up in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga, breezed a strong five furlongs Saturday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), which will be run at the Louisville track on Nov. 4.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Making his second start for trainer Martin Wolfson, Silverleaf Farm's Pomeroy, ridden confidently by John Velazquez, pulled away from War Front in the final furlong to win the $250,000 Forego Handicap (gr. I) in an upset at Saratoga Race Course Saturday.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
At this time last year, Tracy Farmer's Commentator was considered as one of the candidates for best older horse after winning the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
The "Road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships – Powered by Dodge" will present live coverage of the Woodward Stakes and Forego Handicap (both gr. I) Sept. 2 on ESPN from 4:30-5:30 p.m. (ET).
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Grade I winners Commentator and Acey Deucy were each named multiple 2005 champions at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders annual awards banquet April 24.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tracy Farmer's Commentator, winner of last year's Whitney Handicap (gr. I) over eventual Horse of the Year Saint Liam, is ready to begin training at Palm Meadows training center, trainer Nick Zito said Wednesday.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Tracy Farmer's grade I winner Commentator, who owns two of the year's fastest Beyer Speed Figures, has been taken out of training after re-aggravating a shin injury.
Monday, September 19, 2005
It's hard to say what was the weirdest part of this past weekend -- the Woodward, with only three legitimate starters; the amount of money wagered, or rather thrown away, on Rick Dutrow's rabbit entry; or the paltry 41 starters competing in the seven graded stakes.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. figured all he needed in order to get Saint Liam home on top in Saturday's $490,000 Woodward (gr. I) was to put a little pace pressure on Commentator, who upset his star in the Whitney (gr. I). Dutrow's strategy worked to perfection as Saint Liam galloped home an easy winner at Belmont Park.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Aaron and Marie Jones' Shaniko will be scratched from Saturday's Woodward Stakes (gr. I), racing manager Buzz Chace said Friday after talking to the Joneses and trainer Todd Pletcher. With Shaniko out, trainer Rick Dutrow will run both Crafty Player and Show Boot as pacesetters for Saint Liam.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Saturday's $500,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park managed to pry four horses out of the comfort of their stalls for the dubious task of taking on the race's two brilliant stars, Commentator and Saint Liam, the one-two finishers in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I).
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Saint Liam breezed six furlongs over Aqueduct's main track Sunday morning in 1:16 3/5. An earner of more than $1.7 million, Saint Liam is running in Saturday's $500,000 Woodward (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Grade I winner Commentator breezed a half mile over Saratoga's training track Friday morning in :51. It was the gelding's first recorded work since winning the Whitney Handica (gr. I) Aug. 6.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Nick Zito's world doesn't spin on the same axis as everyone else's. It is a world of erupting volcanoes and avalanches of emotion. And that pretty much sums up his days leading up to his crowning achievement – induction into racing's Hall of Fame.
Monday, August 08, 2005
The classy sprinter Commentator was able to stretch his speed all the way to the wire under Gary Stevens in Saturday's $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I), digging in to hold off Saint Liam by a neck at Saratoga Race Course.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
A field of eight older horses is set to line up for Saturday's 78th running of the prestigious Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga. Won by Roses in May in thrilling fashion over Perfect Drift in 2004, this year's edition includes division leader Saint Liam--with trainers Nick Zito and Todd Pletcher entering two starters each.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Saint Liam, arguably the nation's top older horse after 2005 victories in the grade I Donn and Stephen Foster handicaps, breezed five furlongs over Saratoga's Oklahoma training trackMonday morning in 1:02 1/5.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Badge of Silver, ridden by Jerry Bailey, held off the steady closer Dynever to win the $100,000 Hal's Hope Handicap (gr. III) by a neck at Gulfstream Park Saturday.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
A robust field of 13 is set to head postward at Gulfstream Park for Saturday's 2005 edition of the $100,000 Hal's Hope Handicap (gr. III). Multiple stakes winners Dynever and Purge lead a quality group of entrants drawn for the 1 1/8 mile affair, each looking to start the New Year on a high note
Thursday, January 06, 2005
The Nick Zito-trained Commentator glided to an easy seven-length win in Thursday's $112,600 Perryville Stakes at Keeneland. Eurosilver was second, with Weigelia a half-length back in third.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
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