Commissioner Third in Gulfstream Return

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Commissioner was a commendable third in his comeback from injury Jan. 10 after pressing the early pace in Gulfstream Park's third race and then fighting out a three-way finish in a narrow defeat .

 

WinStar Farm's homebred son of A.P. Indy was beaten just a head and neck by respective winner and runner-up Ulanbator and Looking Cool, while making his first start since finishing second by a head to Tonalist at 28-1 odds in the Belmont June 7 at Belmont Park. He had surgery to remove an ankle chip following the classic and was given the rest of the year off.

 

With Javier Castellano riding for trainer Todd Pletcher, Commission vied for the command with Secretive before edging clear after a half-mile went in :46.66. Leading by a head in early stretch, he dug in when Ulanbator and Looking Cool moved in tandem to challenge and gave way only grudgingly near the shadow of the post. 

 

Ulanbator won by a head as the 5-1 third choice in the 1 1/16-mile race, with 30-1 Looking Cool besting Commissioner, the 3-5 favorite by a neck for second in the eight-horse field. Time was 1:42.75 on a fast track.

 

Mary Ann Charlston's homebred Ulanbator, a son of Offlee Wild  , won a second consecutive race after closing out last year with a victory Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. He improved to three wins from 13 career starts that includes a second in last year's Matt Winn (gr. II) and third in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. III). 

 

Prior to Saturday's race, Pletcher said Commissioner's schedule could include the Donn Handicap (gr. I) for older runners Feb. 7 at the oval in Hallandale Beach, Florida. His connections also have an eye on the March 28 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).