Terranova's Funny Guy wins Belmont's Commentator off the bench

Funny Guy shook off a 257-day layoff and eight other New York-bred contenders in Friday's Commentator Stakes at Belmont Park, finishing the mile in one minute and 34.35 seconds, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of post-time favorite Mr. Buff.

Trainer John Terranova would have liked his Big Brown colt to kick off his 4-year-old season a little earlier than he did, but was pleased with the effort as the 11-1 longshot won for the fourth time in his career.

"He's been doing really well and training great," said Terranova "We've had him ready for a while now. Of course, we've all been delayed coming back, and the race came up a deep field for New York-breds; that was our only maybe concern.

"As far as his training goes, he's progressed as a 4-year-old and just gotten stronger and stronger. I was hoping for a big effort and thought we would get it, but it was even sweeter than expected."

Joel Rosario piloted Funny Guy for the first time in Friday's feature at the Elmont, N.Y. track. Rosario had to avoid trouble in the late stages of the race.

"Between the three-eighths and the quarter-pole, I had a problem with the horses in front of me and I had to check him a little bit," Rosario said. "He was okay with that and was handling everything fine and was able to come up the inside and sustain his run. He kept improving. The further we went, the better he was going."

Now a four-time winner for Terranova and owners Gastas Stables, R.A. Hill Stable and Swick Stable, Funny Guy has earned $458,395 throughout his career.

A $45,000 purchase from the April 2018 Ocala Breeders' Sale 2-year-olds in training auction, Funny Guy is a multiple stakes winning colt with stakes victories at 6 1/2 furlongs, a mile and nine furlongs.

Funny Guy paid $24.40 to win, $7.20 to place and $4.60 to show. Bankit finished third behind Mr. Buff to complete the trifecta.