Haskell field holding together; Cox contingent on the scene

The field for the $1 million Haskell Invitational is holding steady, with a second Todd Pletcher-trained runner now in the mix and a decision on the participation of California-based Rombauer pending following a Friday workout.

Rombauer, the Preakness winner, would be one of four Triple Crown participants to start in the Grade 1, 1 1/8-mile Haskell, should his connections decide to ship to New Jersey. Hot Rod Charlie, third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont, is an expected Haskell runner. Mandaloun was second in the Derby (and would be placed first if Medina Spirit eventually is disqualified because of a positive drug test) and ground out a win in the Pegasus at Monmouth in his only post-Derby start. Midnight Bourbon finished sixth in the Derby and was second in the Preakness, his most recent race.

The exciting colt Following Sea, yet to race around two turns or in a stakes race, is an expected starter for Pletcher, and Monmouth officials now expect Pletcher also to enter Dr Jack, who was third in the Pegasus. The other names on the list of potential entrants are Pickin’ Time, Antigravity, and Basso. Entries for the July 17 Haskell are to be taken next Wednesday.

Mandaloun already has shipped into Monmouth after leaving trainer Brad Cox’s base at Churchill Downs earlier this week. Cox also shipped Arklow, who runs in the United Nations; Juliet Foxtrot, who will be among the favorites in the Matchmaker; Night Ops, who runs in the Monmouth Cup; and Vault, who starts in the Molly Pitcher.

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Cox said Mandaloun has trained well since the Pegasus and that all his intended Monmouth starters were to breeze this weekend.