The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) paid tribute to one of the fastest and most popular horses in racing when the recently-retired Commentator was honored Sunday, September 6, at Saratoga Race Course.

The 8-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Tracy Farmer and trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, retired August 9, a day after finishing third in the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap. He was attempting to join legends Discovery and Kelso as the only three-time winners of the race in its 82-year history.

On Sunday, NYRA named the fifth race, an overnight stakes race for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up, “The Commentator.” Commentator appeared in the paddock before the race and then headed to the main track. After parading for fans in front of the stands, Commentator, wearing a No. 1 saddlecloth, was led into the winner’s circle to enjoy an edible “Key to the City” prepared by Glen Sanders Mansion Bakery in his favorite flavor — peppermint (recipe and ingredients listed below).

“I want to thank NYRA and the fans of New York for supporting Commentator,” said Zito “It has been special to bring him to Saratoga for so many Whitneys, and we almost pulled it off for his third [win]. It has been a tremendous honor. The fans know how hard it is to keep a horse going that long and to run at that high level, and that’s what we did. He brought his game every day. It’s bittersweet. It’s sad, but it’s happy.”

“Commentator had a spectacular racing career, and he saved some of his best performances for Saratoga Race Course,” said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. “We were thrilled to give the fans a chance to see him one more time on the Saratoga track and would also like to commend Nick Zito, along with Tracy and Carol Farmer, for their classy and professional handling of the horse.”

After the race, NYRA presented Zito and the Farmers with framed commemorative photo collages of Commentator. A highlight video of Commentator’s career was shown on monitors throughout the racetrack.

Commentator, bred in New York by Michael Martinez, leaves the racing stage with 14 victories, eight of them in stakes races, from 24 starts, with earnings of $2,049,845. He won the Whitney for the first time in 2005 when he held on for a heart-stopping victory over eventual champion older male Saint Liam, then captured the race again three years later in a front-running tour de force.

Commentator overwhelmed his opposition when at his best, in both sprints and route races. He won Gulfstream Park’s Grade 2 Richter Scale at seven furlongs by 13¾ lengths two races before taking his second Whitney at 1 1/8 miles. He also won the Massachusetts Handicap by 14 lengths that year and finished second in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.

Commentator Key to the City
Glen Sanders Mansion Bakery

Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
¼ cup honey
¼ cup molasses
4 cups uncooked oats
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup grape nuts cereal
? cup finely shredded carrots
1 ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350o. Mix oats, salt, grape nuts, carrots and peppermint in a large bowl. Set aside.
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add brown and white sugars, honey and molasses and bring to a boil. Pour into dry ingredients mixture and combine.
Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan and line with parchment paper. Firmly press into the pan and bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and cut while still warm.
Yields 12 bars.