On July 26 Commentator, the oldest entrant in the field at age 7 and the second oldest victor ever (the oldest winner was Kelso a age 8), won the gr.I Whitney for the second time (the first was in 2005). The winning time for the 1 1/8 mile race was 1:50.23. Commentator paid $10.80 to win as second betting choice, and joins Kelso and Forego as only third multiple-time winner of the race. Student Council closed to finish second, with Grasshopper in third and Notional fourth. Rising Moon vanned off the track with soreness in a foreleg.
Ginger Punch also toughed out yet another win yesterday at Saratoga, with Copper Plate holding firm in second. Indescribable rounded out the trifecta in third.
Today is the gr.II Jim Dandy at Saratoga. The quality field of eight horses slated to run includes Pyro, Belmont stakes winner Da’ Tara, Anak Nakal, Macho Again, Tale of Ekati, Mint Lane, Tiz Now Tiz Then, and Alaazo. The Jim Dandy, now moved to 4 weeks out from the Travers, has been a key prep for the Gr.I race since the move, with the winners going 3 for 3 in the Travers.