Back against statebreds, Bank Frenzy powers to victory in Commentator

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Back with his New York-bred friends, Bank Frenzy was back in the winner’s circle Wednesday at Saratoga.

Sitting a stalking second under Manny Franco, Bank Frenzy took over from the pacesetting Mama’s Gold in midstretch and outfinished that one by 1 1/4 lengths in the $200,000 Commentator Stakes for older New York-bred males on New York Showcase Day. Mama’s Gold, who defeated Bank Frenzy in the Empire Classic last October at Aqueduct, finished second Wednesday by 3 1/2 lengths over Drake’s Passage, last year’s Commentator winner.

The victory helped Bank Frenzy bounce back from a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes last out. Bank Frenzy, a 5-year-old gelding by Central Banker, is now 9 for 18 overall, 6-3-0 from nine starts – including four stakes wins – against restricted company.

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Mama’s Gold, who had the rail, was sent to the lead by Romero Maragh while Bank Frenzy, breaking from the outside post under Manny Franco, was within 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile in 47.84 seconds. When Bank Frenzy took over from Mama’s Gold, it appeared as though the latter horse was fighting back. Franco said his horse idled a bit.

“My horse made the front a little earlier than I wanted,” Franco said. “He was doing it so nice he kind of got lost a little bit on the front end, that’s why [Mama’s Gold] tried to come back. I had a lot of horse under me.”

Bank Frenzy, trained by Rudy Rodriguez for LSU Stables, covered the 1 1/8-miles in 1:50.00 and returned $4.90 as the favorite.

“When he breaks that way he can be very much in control of the race,” Rodriguez said. “I was a little concerned because we were chasing a hot pace, he got no breather at all because Manny was asking him the whole way around trying to catch up with Mama’s Gold but he finds a way to win.”

Mama’s Gold, trained by Jimmy Ferraro, put in his best effort since he posted back-to-back triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in a pair of wins last fall.

“He was trying to fight back, the other horse just kept going a little bit,” Romero Maragh, the rider of Mama’s Gold said. “I’m just glad Mama’s Gold got back somewhat to his best form.”

Drake’s Passage finished third by 1 1/4 lengths over Locke and Key. Jockey Lane Luzzi, on Locke and Key, claimed foul against Luis Saez, alleging that Drake’s Passage cut over on him causing him to lose momentum. The claim of foul was disallowed.

Following Locke and Key in the order of finish were Dr. Kraft, General Banker, Rose’s Pepino, and Rock the Weekend.

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