Happily Unbridled

Commentator showed all his class in the Mass ‘Cap today … winning by an amazing 14 lengths with the jockey, John Valazquez, sitting quietly in the irons. Trained by Nick Zito, this 7 year old gelded son of Distorted Humor showed the Suffolk Downs crowd why he was the 1-10 favorite.

Riversrunrylee set the pace with Commentator running in second on his outside but after 6 furlongs, Commentator took the lead and continued widening his advantage with every stride. The 1 1/8 mile race was completed in 1:48.97. Commentator earned $750,000 for this win and has now won 13 times out of 20 starts.

There was no indication from Zito after the race as to where Commentator will run next. His owner, Tracy Farmer, appears to want to run him in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in California in October. The horse has not run 1 1/4 miles, the distance of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but it’s always possible he may be entered in either that race or in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, which may be a better distance for him.

Wherever we see him next, we know we’ll see a great race from a great horse. It’s always exciting to see an older horse compete and win with such decisive style.

Go Baby Go!

Nick Zito trained Anak Nakal rallied from far back to run past the front runner, Acai, to win the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on Labor Day. This was Anak Nakal’s first win in seven starts in 2008 and he went off at odds of 16-1. Smooth Air, the luke-warm post time favorite, finished third.

The son of Victory Gallop finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby in 2007 and his last win was in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr II) at Churchill Downs last November. Anak Nakal was ridden by Joey Bravo who notched his third Pennsylvania Derby win.

Acai, at 9-1, had opened a clear lead in the stretch after drawing away from Smooth Air and appeared to be heading for victory but Anak Nakal got up in the final strides to cross the finish line in front.

Anak Nakal appears to be an improving colt and proved once again that it’s always dangerous from a wagering standpoint to ignore a Nick Zito trainee. Congratulations to the connections of Anak Nakal and I’m sure we’ll be seeing him again down the road.

Go Baby Go!