It would be remiss of the Daily Racing Blog not to mention a big racing event in New Jersey this weekend. The $1 million dollar, Grade 1 Haskell Invitational Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park is traditionally the marquee event at the Jersey Shore racetrack.
This 52nd running of the Haskell shapes up to be a very competitive race with several compelling story-lines, the most prominent among them being the disqualified Kentucky Derby 1st place finisher MAXIMUM SECURITY.
The 1 1/8-mile Haskell is also a crucial race on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The Winning horse on Saturday receives a fees-paid, automatic berth to the November 2nd Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.
The race will be broadcast nationally on NBC during a one-hour program starting at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Post time is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
Here then a brief look at the field:
1. KING FOR A DAY (5-2)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Career record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Career earnings: $210,550
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107
2. JOEVIA (10-1)
Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Trainer: Greg Sacco
Career record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 1 third
Career earnings: $281,600
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 102
3. SPUN TO RUN (15-1)
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Trainer: Juan Guerrero
Career record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds
Career earnings: $82,620
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99
4. BETHLEHEM ROAD (20-1)
Jockey: Luis Rodriguez Castro
Trainer: Dee Curry
Career record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $124,300
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100
5. MUCHO GUSTO (2-1)
Jockey: Joe Talamo
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Career record: 7 starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career earnings: $430,800
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106
6. EVERFAST (10-1)
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Trainer: Dale Romans
Career record: 12 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third
Career earnings: $499,805
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 105
7. MAXIMUM SECURITY (8-5)
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Jason Servis
Career record: 6 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $679,400
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 111
On Friday The Daily Racing Blog will make its choices on the Haskell as well as Saturday’s feature race at Saratoga– The Coaching Club American Oaks.
