American Freedom will face Nyquist in Haskell

Add American Freedom to the lineup for the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 31.

In his first work since his victory July 1 in the Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows, American Freedom worked a strong five furlongs in 59.20 seconds on Thursday at Del Mar under jockey Rafael Bejarano, after which trainer Bob Baffert said he would be pointed to the Haskell.

“That was a good work for this track,” Baffert said of American Freedom, who worked in company, going from the half-mile pole out to the seven-furlong pole.

The Haskell is also the target for Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, who also is training at Del Mar. The Haskell will be his first start since finishing third in the Preakness.

American Freedom has won 3 of 4 starts. He captured the Sir Barton at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard prior to his victory in the Iowa Derby.

Baffert also worked the promising sprinter Drefong, who went a half-mile in 49.20 seconds, and the unraced 2-year-old filly American Cleopatra – American Pharoah’s full sister – who went five furlongs from the gate in 1:01.40.

◗ Don Palmer of Live Your Dream Stable will autograph his book, “Driven by the Passion to Own Race Horses,” just outside the gift shop on Saturday.

◗ The ninth annual CARMA Cares charity fundraiser poker party takes place 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Saturday at the Del Mar Hilton across the street from the track. CARMA – the California Retirement Management Account – helps runners transition to post-racing life as sport and pleasure horses. Information: (626) 574-6622.