Commissioner Returns to Races, Eyes World Cup
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WinStar Farm's homebred Commissioner, runner-up by a head to Tonalist in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) last June, will make his first start since the classic in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park.
The son of A.P. Indy is set to take on seven rivals when making the first start of his 4-year-old season for trainer Todd Pletcher. He returns to the races after undergoing surgery to remove a small chip from his left front ankle following the Belmont.
Commissioner's connections have stated an interest in taking the colt to the March 28 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), should his comeback go as planned.
HASKIN: Commissioner Back in Training, Dubai Possible
Commissioner has won two of his eight career starts with three seconds—including a runner-up effort in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II)—and a third in the Sunland Derby (gr. III) for earnings of $515,767. He was bred in Kentucky out of the Touch Gold mare Flaming Heart. He won his 3-year-old debut going 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream last January.
Saturday's 1 1/16-mile event, with a purse of $50,000 and an optional claiming tag of $62,500, includes grade III-placed Ulanbator and will be run as the third on an 11-race card.