Weekend Hideaway’s gallant victory in the $200,000 Commentator S. on Memorial Day at Belmont Park put the son of Speightstown into the illustrious ranks of horses to earn more than $1 million.
The 7-year-old has been one of the most successful horses on the New York circuit over the past four years, winning eight stakes and $1,004,632 after Monday’s win, which was his second straight in the one-mile contest.
Going right to the lead on the sloppy main track, Weekend Hideaway carved out solid fractions of :46.04 for the half-mile and 1:10.57 for six furlongs. Diversify, the 2-1 favorite closed stoutly in the final strides, but Weekend Hideaway dug in to win by a nose in 1:37.34.
“When we came to the stretch, he was giving me everything,” winning rider Luis Saez said. “When I saw (Diversify), I thought he was going to get me, but we were still there. He was really trying.
“(Weekend Hideaway) loves a wet track and he loves the speed, too. Just break and let him run. Leave him alone and he’s happy.”
The winner is owned by Red and Black Stable and was bred in the Empire State by Flying Zee Stable. He is Speightstown’s ninth millionaire and also the ninth stakes winner of 2017 for the WinStar stallion.
