Commentator Stakes matches last two winners

ELMONT, N.Y. – Weekend Hideaway and Empire Dreams, the last two winners of the Commentator Stakes, are both back in the entries Monday for the fifth renewal of the $200,000 Commentator, one of six stakes and 10 races on Monday’s Big Apple Showcase Day program at Belmont Park.

Weekend Hideaway has done his best work sprinting, but last year, trainer Phil Serpe stretched him out to a mile in the Commentator. Taking advantage of a wet surface, Weekend Hideaway galloped to a 3 3/4-length victory. He has not tried a mile since.

“I think he struggles with it late a little bit,” Serpe said of the distance. “I’ll hope it rains like hell Monday. Last year, I had to apologize to all the people for ruining their Memorial Day.”

Weekend Hideaway, a 7-year-old son of Speightstown, is winless in two starts this year, but neither was a bad effort. At Gulfstream, he finished third behind Clearly Now, who set a track record. In the Affirmed Success here on April 28, he finished fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length.

“He was in the middle of the track going into the far turn, and those lost lengths on the turn are probably what got him beat,” Serpe said.

Weekend Hideaway will break from post 8 under Luis Saez.

Empire Dreams won the Commentator in 2015. Then trained by Tom Albertrani, he will make his first start for George Weaver on Monday. Weaver is adding blinkers to the gelding’s equipment. He has named John Velazquez to ride.

Royal Posse and Governor Malibu, the one-two finishers from last year’s Empire Classic, may find the one-mile distance of the Commentator a bit short. Completing the field are Celtic Chaos, Bellamy Way, Eye Luv Lulu, Hit It Once More, Diversify, Loki’s Vengeance, and Gypsum Johnny.