ThoroughbredZone’s Haskell Invitational Preview & Top Pick
By Stephen Alicknovic
1 Lookin at Lucky - The Preakness Stakes winner and probable post time favorite will be making his first start since winning the Preakness back in May. Bob Baffert’s Point Given and War Emblem both won the Haskell coming in off similar layoffs-both of them last running in the Belmont Stakes. A strong case can be made that Lookin at Lucky is the class of the race. You can easily put lines through his Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby. He endured nightmare trips in both of them. Outside of those two races, Lookin at Lucky has been a consistent winner. Lookin at Lucky has been working strongly in California in preparation for the Haskell, and will come into the Haskell ready to fire his A game. Bob Baffert will be looking for his 4th Haskell win with Lookin at Lucky. Bob Baffert also won the Haskell with Roman Ruler. Lookin at Lucky breaks from the rail, but this is a smaller field than the Kentucky Derby and he should have plenty of time to settle in behind horses. He looms a large threat to win the Haskell with a stalking trip that should never have him to far off the pace. Look for Martin Garcia to swing him wide around the bend like he did in the Preakness Stakes. No doubt Lookin at Lucky is a big threat for top honors in the Haskell. I expect him to be there late.
2 Afleet Again - Afleet Again ran 2nd to Afleet Express in the Pegasus (GIII) back here on June 19. Afleet Express finished 3rd in the Jim Dandy (GII) on Saturday behind A Little Warm and Miner’s Reserve. He will enter the Haskell making his 4th start off the layoff for trainer Robert Reid. Joe Bravo will be in the saddle when the gates open. Afleet Again has had the most races of any thoroughbred in the field with 12. His biggest win came in the Withers (GIII) back in April. Afleet Again will stalk, but will need to turn it up several notches in order to challenge for top honors.
3 Ice Box - The late rallying son of Pulpit finished a fast closing 2nd to Super Saver in the Kentucky Derby. Connections skipped the Preakness and decided to run in the Belmont Stakes instead, where he ran poorly as the favorite. He displaced his palate in the Belmont Stakes. He enters the Haskell off the layoff for Nick Zito. Ice Box has been working well at Saratoga in preparation for the Haskell. It’s a safe bet that jockey Jose Lezcano will rate far off the pace in the Haskell and make a strong late rally. He could be compromised depending if there is any type of track bias favoring speed. Pay attention. Nick Zito rarely shows up at Monmouth Park. It will be interesting to see if Nick Zito makes the trip down for this year’s Haskell. It would be a positive sign if he does show up. Ice Box will benefit from a fast pace up front. Jose Lezcano and Ice Box will show up on the scene in the late stages of the Haskell.
4 First Dude - First Dude ran a strong 2nd in the Preakness and 3 weeks later ran a solid 3rd in the Belmont Stakes. There is no doubt how he will run in the Haskell. He will gun right out with his natural speed and take the fight to them. Our Dark Knight will try to keep him company up front early. First Dude has been working very well at Churchill Downs for this. The sharp looking son of Stephen Got Even is another who will be coming in off the layoff. First Dude is a front running threat to go all the way in here. I liked him in the Preakness, and he should offer some value in the Haskell. He is sharp looking colt. A track bias that favors speed will aid his chances. A strong run is expected, but can he go all the way? He almost did in the Preakness and Belmont. The Haskell is shorter in distance.
5 Our Dark Knight - Our Dark Knight is part of the Robert LaPenta/Nick Zito uncoupled entry. It looks like the main purpose of Our Dark Knight’s presence in this race is to serve as a front runner and try and keep First Dude busy. The goal of course being to set up the late rally of Ice Box. Our Dark Knight takes a big jump up in the class department in the Haskell. In a horse race anything can happen, and if somehow Our Dark Knight winds up alone on the lead, he will be the one that will try to take this group all the way. It’s a tall task nonetheless.
6 Super Saver - The Kentucky Derby Champion makes his first start since his disappointing Preakness Stakes performance. Super Saver has been working lights out for trainer Todd Pletcher. Super Saver has a stalking style of running, that often puts him right on or near the lead. It will be interesting to see how close Calvin Borel puts Super Saver in the Haskell. It’s no secret where Calvin Borel will try to go-the rail. One should pay attention to any track bias at Monmouth Park. Sometimes the rail is not the best place to be. Super Saver should be striking distance throughout the Haskell, and attempt to make his winning bid along the rail. He looks ready to run a good race based on those fast workouts. He will be the probable 2nd choice at post time.
7 Uptowncharlybrown - Uptowncharlybrown had a bit of bad luck in the Belmont Stakes, where he lost a weight pad, and was dq’d. Connections see fit to bring him back off the layoff in a very tough tough spot. Uptowncharlybrown zipped a fast 5 furlong breeze in 59 seconds over the Belmont training track on July 26. Rajiv Maragh will have the mount on Uptowncharlybrown. I expect him to be off the pace a few lengths in the Haskell. Uptowncharlybrown has run some good races so far in his young career, he will need to run the best race of his career in order to win the Haskell. He will offer value at a price on your tickets if you choose to use. Alan Seewald, who was Uptowncharlybrown’s original trainer passed away in April. Alan Seewald was based out of Monmouth Park and there will be plenty rooting for Uptowncharlybrown to make a good account of himself. He will also be a nice price if you are planning to use. (Scratched)
8 Trappe Shot - Trappe Shot is the upstart horse in this year’s Haskell Invitational. And he is also ThoroughbredZone’s top pick to win the Haskell. One advantage Trappe Shot may have in this year’s Haskell over some of the others is the fact he is the only horse in the race making his 3rd start in his current form cycle, which means he should be sitting on a solid effort. Afleet Again will be making his 4th start off the layoff. Trappe Shot has never been in a field with the talent level as high as this, but Trappe Shot has never been asked for his best yet. Trappe Shot did defeat a very good horse in Tahitian Warrior at Belmont Park in June. Tahitian Warrior rebounded nicely after that loss with a resounding victory in his next race. Trappe Shot will break from the far outside under Alan Garcia. Alan Garcia will settle behind the expected pace setters and make a bid turning for home. He is very talented, and very fast. He looks like he is ready to make that jump forward and become a GI winner in this year’s Haskell. He will try to fend off Lookin at Lucky & Ice Box late. Another positive is he could be the 3rd choice when the gates open. And that means he will offer value. (Top Pick)
Haskell Selections 8-1-3-4
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Hopefully the rain holds off for Haskell Day. It’s a huge 14 race card that will offer several Haskell Day staple stakes races—The Matchmaker (GIII), The Oceanport (GIII), The Teddy Drone and The Jersey Derby. It should be a spectacular day of racing at Monmouth Park.
Quick Notes-Grade I winner Mistical Plan returns off a year layoff in the Regret Stakes. Showers are possible with a high in the 80′s. Hopefully it will not rain much and ruin the day and the turf races. Trappe Shot, Afleet Again & Super Saver have wins on off tracks. Ice Box ran a strong 2nd in the slop in the Kentucky Derby.
The stage is set for a memorable and record breaking day at Monmouth Park. Snap Shots of Haskell day will be posted.
**Gates open at 10 AM and the first race is 12 PM-The Haskell will also be televised live on ABC at from 5 PM - 6 PM EDT — Check Local Listings**
Haskell Invitational – Kiaran McLaughlin Past Performances–Click Trappe Shot Ultimate PPs For Haskell Past Performances
Haskell Selections Over The Past 10 Years
2010 Trappe Shot 2nd
2009 Rachel Alexandra 1st
2008 Big Brown 1st
2007 Hard Spun 2nd
2006 Bluegrass Cat 1st
2005 Park Avenue Ball 3rd
2004 Lion Heart 1st
2003 Peace Rules 1st
2002 War Emblem 1st
2001 Point Given 1st
2000 Captain Steve 2nd
1999 Menifee 1st
