Friday twilight racing, until now restricted to summers at Belmont Park, will make its first, inevitable appearance at Saratoga for one evening this upcoming meet, which begins July 26. On Sept. 1, the final weekend of Spa stand, first-race post will be 3 p.m. Look for all six Fridays to go twilight in 2007. Seasons passes – grandstand, $35; clubhouse, $75 – go on sale at NYRA customer service at Saratoga this Monday.

* Nick Zito’s 5-year-old gelding Commentator, 2005 NY-bred horse of year off victory over America’s Horse of Year Saint Liam in last summer’s Whitney Handicap, made his first start yesterday since finishing third in Sept. 10 Woodward. Off at 1-9 in field of four for $65,000 overnight Mugatea Stakes, Commentator went to front under Eibar Coa, dueled down backside with Bold Decision to his inside, pulled clear into turn when Bold Decision backed off, was joined to his outside by Gold and Roses, who turned up pressure turning for home. Commentator shook off Gold and Roses’ bid, pulled clear through final furlong.

Research by Post colleague John DaSilva reveals that total of 17 overnight stakes run at this meet, with aggregate purses of $1,105,000, have averaged 5.6 starters per race, with eight odds-on favorites, hardly giving NYRA much bang for its buck.

SECOND RACE: With Edgar Prado unable to make it home in time after taping ESPY Awards Tuesday in L.A., Mike Luzzi picked up mount on Diamond Stripes, debuting for Rick Dutrow Jr. at 8-1. Purple Aces came up rail to take lead down backside, dueled with Keenebunkport to turn for home, when Broadway Producer, charged through along rail to take brief lead. When Broadway Producer drifted out, it was Act of Contrition’s turn to rally up rail, quickly taking command to lead by daylight with furlong to run. Act of Contrition looked home free, until Diamond Stripes, also rallying up rail, swung out, came flying deep stretch to nail Act of Contrition in final strides.

SEVENTH RACE: Symphony of Psalms, mare imported from France, was winless in three U.S. starts for Bobby Frankel, including 22 1/2-length drubbing last out making first start on dirt. Back on turf, favored at 8-5 with Kent Desormeaux up, she sat off pace set by Willshefire under Mike Luzzi, kicked into gear when Willshefire opened daylight lead mid-stretch, caught her and blew by in final sixteenth to win going away.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 5-1-10-6-1-7

No winners

82 cons. (5 of 6) winners receive $149

Carryover: $36,739.79