Commentator retired

ateamstupid · #1 08-09-2009, 10:50 AM

I believe that's what Jason and Andy just said. If so, he obviously deserves a long and happy retirement. I've knocked him in the past, but he was brilliant when on his game and easily one of the best NY-breds ever to run.

Hickory Hill Hoff · #2 08-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Saw him break his maiden on a Sunday in the 1st race at Saratoga way back when......he was definitely a "hard hitting" gelding!

Gander · #3 08-09-2009, 11:54 AM

Theres absolutely no reason to keep him in training. Hes done more than enough. I thought he had a pretty easy set up yesterday...one that the Commentator of last year would have crushed the field with. So long good buddy, enjoy the green pastures. While I heard this is not yet official, its kind of a no brainer.

2MinsToPost · #4 08-09-2009, 12:41 PM

When I saw JR take him straight to the lead I thought it was over, just like last year in The Whitney. Well, that did not happen

Horse wants the lead based on the past performance lines no? Wonder what happened? Oh well. I just know that when I stopped at Presque Isle on the way home and saw 5-2 and then 2-1 I thought that was a darn good value on this horse. Oh well, you have done more then enough. Time to enjoy retired life

Danzig · #5 08-09-2009, 01:11 PM

Zito said the Whitney might have been the final start for Commentator, who has won 14 of 24 starts and amassed $2,049,845 in career earnings.

“It's up to [owners] Mr. and Mrs. [Tracy] Farmer, but it is my wish to retire him,” Zito said. “I don't want him running in those New York-bred races. He's Commentator."

far from official, but i just read that excerpt in an article on t'bred times about the race...

the horse has certainly had his moments-if he is retired, i hope he enjoys it! he's earned it for sure.

ateamstupid · #6 08-09-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gander

Theres absolutely no reason to keep him in training. Hes done more than enough. I thought he had a pretty easy set up yesterday...one that the Commentator of last year would have crushed the field with. So long good buddy, enjoy the green pastures. While I heard this is not yet official, its kind of a no brainer.

He did run his second quarter in under :23 over what was not a particularly fast track. It's not as if the horses that were pressing him fared any better. In fact, they fared worse.

Gander · #7 08-09-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

He did run his second quarter in under :23 over what was not a particularly fast track. It's not as if the horses that were pressing him fared any better. In fact, they fared worse.

He finished well, all things considered. He could have folded up and finished where Tizway and Smooth Air did. But he held sway and kept running.

But the horse Zito was hoping for yesterday would have loved that set up. It wasnt as if he was run into the ground like Driven to Success was, or like Commentator was the year (2005?) Dutrow sent the bunny after him in the Woodward.

booner · #8 08-09-2009, 03:30 PM

I have always enjoyed watching him run. Chill out in the pasture, big guy. You deserve it.

BTW, class act by Zito and the owners (Tracey Farmer??) not to keep running him in NY-bred races. They could've tried to squeeze more out of him, but like Zito said, "He's Commentator."

philcski · #9 08-09-2009, 03:43 PM

Officially retired. Man I loved this guy.

http://theinsidepost.typepad.com/the...y-retired.html

freddymo · #10 08-09-2009, 04:56 PM

Uhm 9 of his 14 races that he won were either State bred or non stakes. isn't that who Commentator was.. Nice laimo that was very fast had two super Whitneys for 900k of his 2 mil

Linny · #11 08-09-2009, 04:57 PM

It's not that often that "he's done enough" really fits, but this guy has. He's been a serious horse for 5 years. When on his game he was as good as anyone's horse. His speed was a joy to witness.
Commentator may not have been the very best horse of the last 5-6 years, but he was never far off and while others have risen and fallen, Commentator has remained. He'll be missed.

Merlinsky · #12 08-09-2009, 08:51 PM

Glad to see he got to have the career he did and end up safe and sound. I'll definitely miss seeing him run. Classy folks, those connections.

SuffolkGirl · #13 08-09-2009, 09:32 PM

I hope he has a long and happy retirement. He deserves it.

chucklestheclown · #14 08-09-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linny

It's not that often that "he's done enough" really fits, but this guy has. He's been a serious horse for 5 years. When on his game he was as good as anyone's horse. His speed was a joy to witness.
Commentator may not have been the very best horse of the last 5-6 years, but he was never far off and while others have risen and fallen, Commentator has remained. He'll be missed.

I hope they keep a very close eye on him. I wonder what is he going to do?

Cannon Shell · #15 08-10-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

I hope they keep a very close eye on him. I wonder what is he going to do?

Probably do a little traveling, check out the racino, spend time with the family...

dalakhani · #16 08-10-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Probably do a little traveling, check out the racino, spend time with the family...

LOL...fine work!