Commentator Delivers Yet Another Magnificent Performance
Over seventeen thousand loyal horse racing fans made their way to Suffolk Downs on Saturday 22 September 2008 to watch the 66th running of the Massachusetts Handicap. Of course the greatest attraction of the day was to catch a glimpse of the magnificent Commentator, who stole the show. Finding himself up against many younger horses, Commentator turned to his experience as a racehorse and his unrivaled determination to win the Massachusetts Handicap by a staggering fourteen lengths.
When the Suffolk Downs management approached Nick Zito, trainer of Commentator, in regard to centering the Massachusetts Handicap on Commentator, he did not hesitate, as Zito holds Suffolk Downs in high regard because they share the same conviction on conventional dirt tracks and also support the anti- horse slaughter campaign as loyally as he does. Jockey, Johnny Velazques, confidently saddled Commentator, knowing he was in for the ride of his life.
Commentator settled down easily under the guidance of Valezques, pacing themselves up the back. When eased to the outside of the contender field, Commentator complied with out fuss, but when he hit the home stretch there was no stopping him as he dug in and exploded towards the wire. All that was left for Valezques to do was hold on and enjoy the victory. Won Awesome Dude finished in second position, and Cuba crossed the wire in third. After the race, Zito commented that Commentator is an incredible horse and that he is now at his best. He also said that after such a magnificent performance, no-one could argue that the top horses at present would be Curlin, Big Brown and Commentator, and no-one did. Commentator really cemented his position as one of the top horses of our time by winning the Massachusetts Handicap in such a wonderful fashion.
Even though Commentator has now qualified for the Breeder’s Cup Classic, twice, Zito is still tight lipped in regard to their attendance. The Breeder’s Cup might be a prestigious race, but the synthetic surface is not helping to lure Zito to Santa Anita. With Commentator being a gelding, Zito does not have to worry about his stud value and can choose to race whenever or where ever he pleases. But even though Commentator might not attend the Breeder’s Cup, he has still shown that he posses champion abilities and will continue to receive support from loyal fans, no matter where he races.
