Commentator retired following Whitney third

Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito announced Sunday morning that Tracy Farmer's

two-time Whitney H. (G1) winner COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor) has been retired

after finishing third while going for a third victory in Saturday's $750,000

Whitney.

"He's officially retired. We'll let him go out on a high note," Zito said.

"It would have been wonderful for him to win. Physically, there's nothing wrong

with him other than his age. Considering what he has to do to run back in those

Grade 1 races, we thought this was the best thing to do."

Commentator first made a name for himself in 2005 when he defeated Horse of

the Year and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) champion Saint Liam in the Whitney. Zito

also believes last year's Whitney win and the Massachusetts H., which he scored

by an easy 14 lengths, were also highlights of Commentator's career.

"When he was on, he was good as any horse in America. I think the Mass 'Cap,

last year, proved that," Zito said. "You know his record -- it's fantastic. He

earned over $2 million the hard way. He's as gallant as he could be. He's a real

treasure."

The New York-bred gelding finishes his 24-race career with 14 wins, a

second-place finish and four third-place finishes with earnings of $2,049,845.

In addition to his three Whitney runs, Commentator also captured last year's

Richter Scale Sprint H. (G2) and placed in such prestigious events as the

Manhattan H. (G1), Woodward S. (G1), Clark H. (G2) and Tom Fool H. (G2).

The eight-year-old chestnut set two new track records while racing, getting a

mile at Gulfstream Park in 1:33 3/5 last January, and going 7 1/2 furlongs in

1:27 2/5 at Belmont Park in 2004. That latter race was part of the five-race win

streak that began Commentator's career.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is planning to honor the dual Whitney

champion by bringing him back on track for one final time before the close of

the Saratoga meet to give fans one more opportunity to applaud the amazing

gelding. The details have not yet been finalized.