Haskell Watch | Who's in to face Pharoah?
American Pharoah's first start since the Belmont Stakes, the Aug. 2 William Hill Haskell Invitational, is just days away. Time flies, right?
Here, we're tracking which 3-year-olds are targeting the Grade I test at Monmouth Park along with the Triple Crown winner. For now, it looks as if he'll face another short field running for a $1.75 million purse and automatic bid to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland.
Post time for the Haskell is 5:52 p.m. NBC will broadcast the 1 1/8-mile race, with the draw at noon Thursday.
PROBABLE
American Pharoah: After putting in a final workout Tuesday at Del Mar, he shipped to Monmouth Park on Wednesday. This is a spot connections think will come up easy, continuing what they hope is an undefeated run to the Breeders' Cup.
Keen Ice: Third in the Belmont, the Curlin colt did most of his training at Churchill Downs, where he worked consistently for trainer Dale Romans. His last move -- five furlongs on July 18 -- went in 1:00.60, seventh-fastest of 42. Known as a late runner, Keen Ice also finished seventh in the Derby.
Mr. Jordan: Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has one that likes the Monmouth surface. This colt is undefeated at the New Jersey oval in two starts, the last one a victory in the June 21 Pegasus Stakes, a Grade III won by a head as the race favorite. Before that, Mr. Jordan had run in two other stakes, finishing runner-up in both at Gulfstream Park.
Top Clearance: Trained by Wayne Catalano, this son of Tiznow hasn't finished worse than second in four starts. He won his last two, most recently a July 11 allowance at Monmouth. "Our plan is to sit back early in the race," Catalano said. "We will look for an opportunity for one good run. He will be ready to go."
Upstart: Eased last time in the Kentucky Derby, this Rick Violette trainee finished last 18. Afterward, dirt was discovered in his air passages, explaining a less-than-stellar run for a horse many thought would contend. A star on the Florida prep circuit, he's expected back for the Haskell and a bit of an unknown.
War Story: Formerly out of Tom Amoss' barn, the gelded son of Northern Afleet, 16th in the Derby, is now under the care of Jeffrey Radosevich. "There appears to be so much speed that is going to be in the race," said Radosevich, whose horse ran fourth last time out in the Ohio Derby. "We are going to have to sit off the early pace and hope for one good run." While entered in the West Virginia Derby, he's headed to the Haskell.
POSSIBLE
Competitive Edge: Trainer Todd Pletcher told Monmouth Park he'd enter either this once-beaten colt or Stanford, a race week scratch from the Kentucky Derby. In a follow-up interview July 20, Pletcher confirmed with the Daily Racing Form it's Competitive Edge who will contest the Haskell. He's never raced farther than a mile but looked untouchable until a disappointing Woody Stephens on the Belmont undercard. The Jim Dandy is also possible.
Tekton: Second to Mr. Jordan in the Pegasus, this Bernardini colt trained by Anthony Dutrow sizes up as a major Haskell longshot. Still, he's improved since hitting the board once in his first four career stats, the lone exception a maiden win. Two races back, he took a Pimlico allowance. Then Tekton set the pace in the 1 1/16-mile Pegasus. Interestingly, he was also entered in the West Virginia Derby set to run Saturday. Which race will connections choose?
NOT LIKELY
Bent On Bourbon: Fourth in his debut at Gulfstream, then second next time out at Keeneland, the Eddie Kenneally-trained son of Arch hasn't lost since. The colt's biggest score came June 27 in the Grade III Iowa Derby when he topped Allied Air Raid by a dominant three lengths. One to watch for the Haskell? Probably not. He's also among the as many of 11 to contest the West Virginia Derby.
Good Pick Nick: Third in the Pegasus, this Kiaran McLaughlin trainee is also under consideration. It's worth noting here that in a million-dollar race, more than first-place pays. McLaughlin already threw his best at American Pharoah in Belmont runner-up Frosted. Owner Stonestreet Stables knows the big stage, too.
OUT
Stanford: With Competitive Edge going in the Haskell, Stanford will make his next start elsewhere -- perhaps in the Aug. 1 West Virginia Derby against Preakness Stakes runner-up Tale of Verve. Twice second in stakes competition, the Malibu Moon colt finally broke through July 11 in Monmouth's Long Branch.