Colt named Haskelled brings a chuckle and some talent

Recent events led to a 2-year-old colt trained by Doug O’Neill to be named Haskelled in advance of his career debut in a maiden special weight race on Sunday at Del Mar.

On July 17, the Doug O’Neill-trained Hot Rod Charlie finished first in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, only to be disqualified for causing interference in the stretch. The decision was an expensive one. The Haskell had a purse of $1 million and paid $600,000 to promoted winner Mandaloun. Hot Rod Charlie was demoted to last.

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Hot Rod Charlie is co-owned by a partnership that includes Roadrunner Racing and Bill Strauss, who own Haskelled. A colt by the Into Mischief stallion Practical Joke, Haskelled will start in Sunday’s third race at five furlongs. The name was registered in late July.

“It’s pretty recent,” O’Neill said. “Bill Strauss came up with it. He said, ‘I feel like we got Haskelled.’ We had a Practical Joke colt who acts like he has some talent. He acts like has a lot of ability.

“It’s no knock on Monmouth. Other than the result, it was such a great experience.”

Haskelled worked a half-mile from the gate in 47.40 seconds on July 24 at Del Mar and will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli. The colt is part of a field of eight, all first-time starters.

“It’s hard to get too high on them until you see them in the afternoon,” O’Neill said. “He acts like he has some gate speed and stamina.”

Bob Baffert has two starters – Pinehurst, a Twirling Candy colt purchased for $385,000 as a yearling, and Enbarr, a colt by Brody’s Cause bought for $200,000 as a yearling.

Cabo Spirit, bought earlier this year for $575,000 at a 2-year-olds in training sale, is well regarded by owner Rustin Kretz and trainer George Papaprodromou.

“I’m excited about him,” Papaprodromou said. “He’s well bred and he’s doing great. I think we have a good post. He’s getting better and better with every workout.”

Cabo Spirit has had two workout since the stable relocated from Santa Anita to Del Mar in July. Papaprodromou said Cabo Spirit had two workouts at Santa Anita in early July, including a half-mile workout on July 11 that was missed by clockers.

As for Hot Rod Charlie, O’Neill said the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 25 at Parx Racing is likely to be a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles.

“He’s probably a few weeks away from breezing,” O’Neill said. “The Breeders’ Cup Classic is our ideal race.”