Core Beliefs has bags packed for Haskell Invitational

Trainer Peter Eurton confirmed on Sunday he will be sending Ohio Derby winner Core Beliefs east for next Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Core Beliefs is scheduled to be flown from Southern California to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Tuesday, according to Eurton.

Draft Pick, who finished second by a head in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby eight days ago for Eurton, will be pointed to the Grade 3, $500,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on Aug. 4, he said.

Core Beliefs overcame a wide trip in the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby to win the 1 1/8-mile race by a nose over Lone Sailor following a heated stretch battle. Trainer Tom Amoss is likely to run Lone Sailor in either the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Saturday or the Grade 1 Haskell.

Core Beliefs worked five furlongs at Del Mar on Saturday in 1:00.60.

"He had a lovely work yesterday," Eurton said.

The Haskell favorite will be Kentucky Derby runner-up and Blue Grass winner Good Magic, the champion 2-year-old male of 2017, who is trained by Chad Brown. Other probable starters include Preakness second-place finisher Bravazo, who is conditioned by D. Wayne Lukas, Pegasus runner-up Roaming Union, and Long Branch winner Navy Commander.

"We are strongly leaning to the Haskell," said trainer Butch Reid Jr., who has not ruled out the Jim Dandy for Navy Commander.

A number of others are under consideration for the Haskell, including Reride, Mr Freeze, American Lincoln, and Golden Brown.

Post positions for the Haskell will be drawn Thursday.