TOP FIELD SIGNED ON FOR HASKELL INVITATIONAL
A top group of sophomores is expected to contest the big event at Monmouth Park this summer, in Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational S. (G1). Champion Hansen made his first start since the Kentucky Derby a fine one with a facile tally in the Iowa Derby (G3) most recently, and his running style seems to fit this oval like a glove. The Mike Maker-trained son of Tapit has big early foot and seems capable of handling this nine-furlong test in at this venue. He’s still very classy.
Lightly raced Paynter, a game second in the Belmont S. (G1) last time, looms large in this one. The rapidly improving son of Awesome Again proved that he belongs at this level last time and should be in the hunt from the start of this one. Dual Grade 1 hero Dullahan never fired in the Belmont as the second choice, but he is a very talented colt who should have a big impact on this field for conditioner Dale Romans. Recent stakes winner Le Bernadin, Long Branch S. victor My Adonis, Matt Winn S. runner-up Stealcase, once-beaten Grade 1 star Gemologist and California import Nonios, add to the depth of this fine line up.
The Haskell undercard hosts a trio of graded races, led by the $200,000 Molly Pitcher S. (G2). Possible to attend this affair are recent Lighthouse S. queen Successful Song, Grade 1-placed stakes heroine R Gypsy Gold, the well-bred Nefertini, who was a stakes winner here last time, Obeah S. (G3) victress Love and Pride and Ogden Phipps (G1) runner-up Cash for Clunkers.
In the $150,000 Oceanport S. (G3), Red Bank S. (G3) winner Get Serious got back to his winning ways on his favorite oval and will be tough if he takes another step forward in this spot. Grade 3 hero Roman Tiger, Red Bank third Queen’splatekitten, Grade 3 winner Humble and Hungry and the Dale Romans-conditioned Guys Reward, could oppose the local favorite.
A number of talented turf distaffers are mentioned as possible for the $150,000 Matchmaker S. (G3), including Eatontown S. (G3) queen Silver Screamer, All Along (G3) runner-up Shimmering Moment, Eatontown fourth Ruthenia and Pinch Pie, who was a fine second in the Violet S. (G3) on this turf oval two starts back.
Also on tap are the $100,000 Majestic Light, $100,000 Teddy Drone S. and the $100,000 Regret S.