OCEANPORT, N.J. - In the last decade of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth, the crowd has usually been able to cheer for a hometown favorite. While this year's field does not include any Monmouth-based horses, Puck has turned into the local rooting choice with his extended stay here following a win in the Long Branch Stakes on July 13.
Amidst the roller-coaster ride of the Haskell field, which saw defections of two major stars, and the status of War Emblem change three times, Puck has remained the first horse committed and the one constant.