Commentator faces seven rivals in Clark

Multiple Grade 1 hero COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor), a smashing 14-length

winner of the Massachusetts H. on September 20, will seek his third consecutive

stakes victory when he heads to the starting gate in Friday's $400,000

Clark H.

(G2). An earner of more than $1.8 million, the Nick Zito trainee will face

seven rivals under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs.

Four-for-five this season, Commentator opened his 2008 campaign with a

14-length trouncing over allowance/optional claiming rivals and then captured

the Richter Scale Sprint H. (G2) by 13 3/4 lengths, both at Gulfstream Park.

Following a commendable second in the Metropolitan H. (G1), the seven-year-old received a two-month freshening

before reappearing in the Whitney H. (G1) for the first time since winning the

nine-furlong event in 2005. The chestnut rolled to a convincing 4 3/4-length

score in his typical front-running fashion, and the Mass Cap resembled a public

workout for the in-form gelding.

Commentator will once again be the horse to catch on Friday, and regular

rider John Velazquez has the mount in the 135th edition of the 1 1/8-mile Clark.

Top rivals include 2005 Clark winner MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), who will

enter off a sharp 2 1/4-length win in the Ack Ack H. (G3) on Churchill's

opening-day program; Grade 2 victor DELIGHTFUL KISS (Kissin Kris), who recorded

a pair of graded victories before his fast-finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup

Marathon; Pennsylvania Derby (G2) winner ANAK NAKAL (Victory Gallop), winner of

the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) 12 months ago over the track; and multiple

Grade 1 king EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck), who finished second to Curlin this

summer in the Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill and will make his first start

since a fifth in the Arlington Million (G1).

Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G2) winner WAYZATA BAY (Roar), 2007 Blue Grass

S. (G1) hero DOMINICAN (El Corredor) and Grade 2 winner TIMBER RESERVE (Forest

Camp) round out the field.