THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER

Commentator, a 7-year-old son of Distorted Humor, will be the heavy favorite in Monday’s 115th running of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.  Affectionately referred to as the “Met Mile”, the feature race of the holiday card has drawn 9 runners competing for the $600,000 purse.

The field for the G1 Met Mile:

• 2. Lord Snowdon (C. Velasquez) 20/1
• 3. Global Hunter (O. Berrio) 30/1
• 4. Divine Park (A. Garcia) 2/1
• 1. Z Humor (S. Morales) 12/1
• 5. First Defence (J.J. Castellano) 6/1
• 6. Kiss the Kid (R. Maragh) 20/1
• 7. Council Member (J. Chavez) 30/1
• 8. Commentator (J. Velazquez) 4/5*
• 1A. Premium Wine (K. Desormeaux) 12/1

#8 Commentator should be the speed of the field. The Nick Zito trainee is capable of setting wicked fractions in the opening of the race, and the defection of Monterrey Jazz has meant that he’ll probably be able to get loose on the lead much easier.  The winner of the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes in 2005 and the Grade 2 Richter Scale Handicap at Gulfstream Park in March figures to be quite a challenge to the rest of the field.  In his two starts so far this year, Commentator has defeated 13 rivals by a combined 27 3/4 total lengths.

#5 First Defence figures to be the first (andperhaps only) challenge to Commentator up front.  The Bobby Frankel trainee won an Optional Claimer at Churchill Downs on May 3rd in his last attempt. He had been headed in the right direction last August with a gutsy 2nd place finish to Hard Spun in the King’s BIshop, but was then bumped and injured in the Volsburgh.

#4 Divine Park could be the benefactor if Commentator were to wind up in a speed duel with First Defence.  The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee has been on the improve thus far in his 4-year-old campaign, earning a 111 Beyer Speed figure last time out in the Grade 3 Winchester Handicap at Belmont Park.  He figures to sit a nice stalking trip parked in just behind First Defence and Commentator.

As for the rest of the field:

• #1A Premium WIne and #2 Lord Snowdon are two Anthony Dutrow trained closers who should get a decent place to close into should they find the surface agreeable.
• #3 Global Hunter is a winner of multiple ArgentineanStakes.  He looks like he’d prefer to rate around the middle of the pack, assuming he can keep up with the early pace.
• #1 Z Humor was the 14th place finished of the Kentucky Derby earlier in the month for trainer Billl MOtt.
• #6 Kiss the Kid is a 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid who last prevailed in the slop at Monmouth. His form indicates he can be forwardly placed but he’ll likely have to rate today.
• #7 Council Member is a 6-year-old son of Seattle Slew who looks completely over matched compared to the rest of the field.

I like Commentator to be able to put away First Defence and establish a clear lead over the field.  I think Divine Park will be making his move turning for home and surging past First Defence for 2nd place.  Either Premium Wine or Lord Snowdon should be coming late andI’ll play them both on the bottom of the ticket along with First Defence in case he is able to hang on for show.

8/4/1, 2, 5