Ulanbator Spoils Commissioner's Return

Ulanbator kicked off his 4-year-old season in style, surging late between horses to spoil the return of Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Commissioner in Saturday’s third race.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Ulanbator ($13.60) ran the 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance in 1:42.75 over a fast main track, hitting the wire a head in front of 30-1 long shot Looking Cool.

It was another neck back to 3-5 favorite Commissioner, making his first start in seven months.

“It was a real gutsy effort,” winning trainer Ian Wilkes said. “We were third at the quarter pole in between horses and probably a good half-length behind. He had to dig in from between horses and showed a little bit of grit today.”

Ulanbator broke from post one and saved ground early as Secretive and Commissioner dueled through an opening quarter-mile in 23.45 seconds and a half in 46.66. Commissioner took command leaving the backstretch as Ulanbator and Looking Cool began to launch their bids.

The trio hit the top of the stretch together and stayed that way down the lane before Ulanbator got his head down at the wire with Looking Cool to his outside and Commissioner battling gamely on the rail.

The country’s first major race for older horses, Gulfstream’s $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) on February 7, is a possible next start for both Ulanbator and Commissioner.

“They were some solid fractions and he had been off for a while, so I thought it was a good comeback,” Commissioner’s trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I think he’s a horse that needs to find his rhythm. It might have been a touch quicker than what we would have wanted, but he seemed to be doing it within himself. I thought he ran well.”

Jockey Javier Castellano, who rode Commissioner, said: "I'm not disappointed. He's a good horse and it's tough coming back off a layoff. He tried hard today, and I think he's going to improve off this race."

Rainbow 6 Guaranteed Pool: $150,000

There was no single winning ticket on Saturday's 20-cent Rainbow 6, so Sunday's Rainbow 6 will have a guaranteed pool of $150,000. Multiple tickets with six winners Saturday returned $105.58.

Along with a guaranteed pool of $100,000 on Sunday's Late Pick 4 and $50,000 on the Pick 5, there will also be a carryover Sunday on the Super Hi 5 of $6,391.50.

Who's Hot: Jockeys Javier Castellano and Paco Lopez each had two winners Saturday. Castellano won the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2) aboard Mshawish ($5.80) and the sixth race aboard Empire Knight ($6.80). Lopez won the ninth with More Than a Party ($6.20) and the 11th with Presto Magic ($7.60).

Late Pick 4 Guaranteed Pool: $100,000

Pick 5 Guaranteed Pool: $50,000

Super Hi 5 Carryover: $6,391.50

Source: Gulfstream Park Communications