Haskell Invitational: a race for supremacy
July 17th 2010 00:52
The US Triple Crown concluded without a decisive standout 3 year old coming forward to lay claims as the best 3 year old of the year. Each classic race was won by a different horse: The Kentucky Derby by Super Saver; the Preakness Stakes by Lookin At Lucky; and the Belmont Stakes by Drosselmeyer. To highlight the jigsaw puzzle that is the snapshot of the US 3 year old of 2010, retired Eskendereya heads the World Thoroughbred Rankings for US 3 year olds on the strength of his nearly 10 length victory in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in April. The subsequent Triple Crown winners not being able to surpass him in the minds of the IFHA panel.
(photo: Benoit)
So this year’s running of the $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park on the 1st of August will be greeted with great interest, and equal importance. With all bar one of the classic winners engaged the winner will most likely be elevated to premier position in the ranks of this crop of 3 year olds. Belmont winner Drosselmeyer is not entered and at present is awaiting results of a bone scan for an ankle injury. He most likely will not race again in 2010.
Those nominated and vying for a Haskell victory - with all that may entail - include:
Lookin At Lucky - the Preakness Stakes winner. in 2009 awarded American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
Super Saver - Kentucky Derby winner.
Ice Box - second in the Kentucky Derby and beaten favourite in the Belmont Stakes. Winner of Grade 1 Florida Derby.
First Dude - a model of consistency with 2nd placing in the Preakness Stakes and 3rd in the Belmont Stakes. And yet he still only has a Maiden Race victory as his only winning performance to date.
Both Super Saver and Lookin At Lucky never contested the Belmont Stakes. Realistically we are looking for a Haskell Invitational win from either Super Saver or Lookin At Lucky to really ensure that we are in a position to nominate a top 3 year old of 2010. Of course there will be more racing to come with the Breeders’ Cup later in the year, but a win in the Haskell Invitational on top of a leg of the Triple Crown will read handsomely on any resume. But if a horse such as First Dude; Afleet Again; Pleasant Prince; Soaring Empire; Uptowncharlybrown; Trappe Shot; or Our Dark Knight, were to be be successful at Monmouth Park on August 1st, then it will be a very difficult process to find a definitive best 3 year old of 2010.
The 2009 Haskell Invitational won by Rachel Alexandra:
Lookin At Lucky winning in his Champion 2 Year Old season
(photo: Benoit)
So this year’s running of the $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park on the 1st of August will be greeted with great interest, and equal importance. With all bar one of the classic winners engaged the winner will most likely be elevated to premier position in the ranks of this crop of 3 year olds. Belmont winner Drosselmeyer is not entered and at present is awaiting results of a bone scan for an ankle injury. He most likely will not race again in 2010.
Lookin At Lucky - the Preakness Stakes winner. in 2009 awarded American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
Super Saver - Kentucky Derby winner.
Ice Box - second in the Kentucky Derby and beaten favourite in the Belmont Stakes. Winner of Grade 1 Florida Derby.
First Dude - a model of consistency with 2nd placing in the Preakness Stakes and 3rd in the Belmont Stakes. And yet he still only has a Maiden Race victory as his only winning performance to date.
Both Super Saver and Lookin At Lucky never contested the Belmont Stakes. Realistically we are looking for a Haskell Invitational win from either Super Saver or Lookin At Lucky to really ensure that we are in a position to nominate a top 3 year old of 2010. Of course there will be more racing to come with the Breeders’ Cup later in the year, but a win in the Haskell Invitational on top of a leg of the Triple Crown will read handsomely on any resume. But if a horse such as First Dude; Afleet Again; Pleasant Prince; Soaring Empire; Uptowncharlybrown; Trappe Shot; or Our Dark Knight, were to be be successful at Monmouth Park on August 1st, then it will be a very difficult process to find a definitive best 3 year old of 2010.
The 2009 Haskell Invitational won by Rachel Alexandra:
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