The field is taking shape for the 49th renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million betfair.com Haskell Invitational July 31. Leading the entrants is Kentucky Derby winner and 2-year-old champion Nyquist, who is making his first start since the Preakness. He looks to regain his place among the top 3-year-olds in the country.
Taking on the Derby champion is a pair of Nyquist’s Kentucky Derby rivals looking for revenge in the Haskell. Gun Runner, who finished third in the Derby and is trained by Steve Asmussen, is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs June 18. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, Gun Runner took two Grade 2 events at Fair Grounds: the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby. Asmussen won the Haskell before in 2009 with Rachel Alexandra.
Brody’s Cause, seventh in the Derby and sixth in the Belmont Stakes, is a multiple Grade 1 winner. As a 2-year-old, Brody’s Cause, conditioned by Dale Romans, took the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland prior to a third-place finish to Haskell rival Nyquist in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He won his final prep for the Kentucky Derby in the Toyota Bluegrass at Keeneland.
Then there is always Bob Baffert. He brings another live shot into the Haskell looking for his record ninth win in the event with American Freedom. The lightly raced son of Pulpit is coming off back-to-back stakes wins in the Sir Barton at Pimlico and the Grade 3 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows.
Baffert-trained horses have won five of the last six Haskell races, including last year’s victory with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Locally based Eddie Plesa Jr. throws Awesome Slew into the mix. Awesome Slew is coming off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Pegasus at Monmouth and is 2-for-3 lifetime over the track.
Also calling the Monmouth Park backstretch his home is Sunny Ridge for trainer Jason Servis. Sunny Ridge won the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct and took the Sapling at Monmouth as a 2-year-old.
Select seats are still available for Haskell Day and can be purchased by calling 732-571-5563, visiting monmouthpark.com/haskell or stopping by the reserved seat ticket booth on the second floor of the Grandstand any live race date.
Clubhouse sections start at $25, while Grandstand seats range from $20-$25. For the Grandstand Balcony, seat prices go from $13-$18.
Admission on Haskell Day, which is not included in the reserved seat price, is $8 for the Grandstand and $10 for the Clubhouse. For seniors aged 55 and up, Grandstand admission is $4 and Clubhouse admission will cost $5.
Last year’s Haskell saw over 60,000 people pack Monmouth Park to see Triple Crown winner American Pharoah take New Jersey’s richest horse race on his way to Horse of the Year honors.
The betfair.com Haskell Invitational is a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” event for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The Haskell’s scheduled post time is 5:49 p.m. and will be telecast live on NBC. The entire Haskell Day card will be broadcast live on TVG.
Gates will open early on Haskell Day at 10 a.m., with first race scheduled for noon.