A field of seven graded winners, headed by the “hometown horse” and 5-2 morning-line favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Irish War Cry (Curlin), will line up for a loaded renewal of Sunday's 50th $1-million GI betfair.com Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
The aforementioned New Jersey-bred, winner of the GII Wood Memorial S. and runner-up as the 5-2 favorite in the GI Belmont S. most recently June 10, is owned and bred by Isabelle de Tomaso, the daughter of Amory L. Haskell, the first president and chairman of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club and the person for whom Sunday's main event is named for.
“With Isabelle's connection to the Haskell family, it certainly would [special to win],” trainer Graham Motion said. “We're very excited to be here. The Haskell was always our goal for the summer with Irish War Cry.”
Trainer Chad Brown will saddle a very formidable pair with the unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Timeline (Hard Spun) and two-time Grade I winner Practical Joke (Into Mischief).
The former, a perfect four-for-four, followed a sharp win in Belmont's GIII Peter Pan S. May 13 with another dazzling performance at .10 cents on the dollar in Monmouth's GIII Pegasus S. June 18.
“I've had my eye on the Haskell for him a long time,” Brown said. “He's had a race over the track now, and I think a mile and an eighth will be his best trip. He won the Pegasus easily, but he overcame a sprung shoe and early bumping to do it. He's a tough horse, but he has to come with his 'A' game Sunday.”
Practical Joke, a respectable fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby, turned back to a mile with a visually impressive tally in Belmont's GIII Dwyer S. July 8.
'TDN Rising Star' Battle of Midway (Smart Strike), third at 40-1 in the Derby, makes the trip from Southern California off a win over three overmatched foes in Santa Anita's GIII Affirmed S. June 24. 'TDN Rising Star' McCraken (Ghostzapper) got back on track after a pair of disappointing performances this spring, including an eighth-place finish on the First Saturday in May, in Churchill's GIII Matt Winn S. June 17.
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