Saturday, June 28th, 2025
Voted New York-bred Horse of the Year in 2005 and 2008 – Commentator won 14 of 24 starts. Bred by Michael Martinez and campaigned by Tracy Farmer for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito. He finished his career with $2,049,845 in earnings. Photo: NYTB Photos
Edited press release courtesy of Old Friends at Cabin Creek
Old Friends at Cabin Creek is saddened to announce the passing of longtime resident Commentator, who was humanely euthanized on June 27 due to long-term complications from Potomac horse fever. The son of Distorted Humor was 24.
“He was well loved and we will miss him forever,” said Old Friends at Cabin Creek manager JoAnn Pepper. “He was a champion through and through and was very brave.”
Commentator, who came home to Cabin Creek in 2016, compiled one of the most respectable careers of any New York-bred racehorse in history with his 24 starts highlighted by two wins in Saratoga Race Course’s Grade 1 Whitney Handicap in 2005 and 2008. He finished third in his third Whitney attempt in 2009 at age 8, and was the New York Horse of the Year in 2005 and 2008.
Trained by Nick Zito and campaigned by Tracy Farmer, Commentator won an impressive 14 races. In addition to his Whitney triumphs, he won the last running of the Massachusetts Handicap in 2008, and five other stakes races.He retired in 2009 with more than $2.04 million in earnings, the 10th most of any New York-bred in history. He holds the track record at Belmont Park for 7 1/2 furlongs on the main track (1:27.44).
Each summer, the New York Racing Association honors Commentator with the running of the Commentator Stakes for New York-breds at Belmont Park.
Commentator initially retired to Old Friends’ flagship Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, before permanently relocating to Cabin Creek in 2016. There, he greeted thousands of loving fans and served as a great ambassador for retired racehorses, his fame and popularity helping to bring awareness to the farm’s mission of dignified retirement for all racehorses.
During his near decade at Cabin Creek, Commentator stamped himself as a favorite among the dozens of volunteers who helped care for him.
Known as a smart horse who marched to the beat of his own drum, Commentator spent the last few years of his retirement in the company of Watchem Smokey, whose patience and tolerance made for a perfect match with Commentator.
Old Friends at Cabin Creek would like to send its sincerest thanks to Tracy and Carol Farmer for their support and trust.
Posted in: RACING
