Saratoga Springs, NY (My Sportsbook) - Commentator, the 2005 champ, went wire-to-wire Saturday to register his second victory in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. The win secures a spot for Commentator into the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday, October 25.

Breaking from the inside post, Commentator broke quickly from the gate to take the lead around the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch. Pressing the pace in the 1 1/8 mile Whitney was Timber Reserve followed by Solar Flare in third and Grasshopper in fourth.

With John Velazquez in the saddle, the seven-year-old Commentator led the field up the backstretch and into the far turn. Still running in second was Timber Reserve while 7-2 favorite Solar Flare was third.

Commentator had the lead around the final turn while Solar Flare moved into second with Notional advancing into contention in the 11 horse field. At the top of the stretch Commentator opened daylight from his rivals as Student Council rallied on the outside.

Commentator went on to post a five-length victory over Student Council with Grasshopper finishing third. Salvator Mile winner Notional gained fourth followed by Rising Moon, Merchant Marine, Solar Flare (ARG), A. P. Arrow, Timber Reserve, Tasteyville and Cowtown Cat.

The time for the 81st Whitney Handicap was 1:50.23 on a fast track.

A gelding, Commentator is trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito for Tracy Farmer. The win was worth $450,000 to increase Commentator's career earnings to more than $1.54 million.

At Saratoga alone the seven-year-old has won four of six starts and has been to the winner's circle 12 times in a 19 race career. The veteran runner was coming off a second-place finish to Divine Park in the Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park on Memorial Day.

"Commentator is like George Foreman," Zito said. "He gets older but keeps coming up at a high level. He has his issues, but we have learned to space out his races and give him the time he needs. When he gets the time he needs, he usually comes up with his race. That's all we ever ask: for Commentator to be Commentator."

Commentator returned $10.80, $6.20 and $4.30. Student Council paid $7.60 and $4.70, and Grasshopper paid $4.80 to show.

In the other Breeders' Cup Challenge races Saturday at Saratoga, Forever Together won the Diana Stakes to gain entry into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap went to Abraaj which puts him into the Breeders' Cup Sprint and putting herself back into the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic is defending champion Ginger Punch by winning the Go for Wand Handicap.