Haskell: Following work, Taiba confirmed to take on Jack Christopher
Taiba, the Santa Anita Derby winner, was confirmed for the July 23 Grade 1 Haskell after working five furlongs in 59.40 seconds on Friday morning at Santa Anita.
Taiba’s participation sets up an appealing showdown with crack 3-year-old Jack Christopher, who will make his two-turn debut in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell after eye-catching wins in the Pat Day Mile and the Woody Stephens to start his 3-year-old campaign. Chad Brown trains Jack Christopher and said Friday he’d decide whether Preakness winner Early Voting also goes to the Haskell after the colt works Saturday at Belmont Park.
Also expected for the $1 million contest are Cyberknife, winner of the Arkansas Derby but just 18th in the Kentucky Derby; White Abarrio, winner of the Florida Derby but just 16th in the Kentucky Derby; Howling Time, beaten a nose by Cyberknife in the Matt Winn Stakes on June 12 at Churchill Downs; and Monmouth-based Benevengo, who will be a longshot.
Amr Zedan bought Taiba as a 2-year-old for $1.7 million and pushed to run the colt in the Santa Anita Derby on April 9 despite the fact Taiba had raced only once, romping in a Santa Anita sprint maiden race March 5. Zedan’s bold move paid off when Taiba cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory, but the Kentucky Derby proved too much, too soon for Taiba, who was cooked on the far turn and checked in 12th.
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Bob Baffert, who has won the Haskell nine times, trained Taiba in his debut and is once again his conditioner. While Baffert was serving a suspension, Tim Yakteen trained Taiba for the Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby.
The Haskell and the rest of Monmouth’s card for July 23 will be drawn Wednesday.
* Brown confirmed he plans to enter Tribhuvan and Adhamo in the supporting feature, the Grade 1 United Nations at 11 furlongs on turf. Tribhuvan, who won the 2021 U.N. and exits a front-running score in the Grade 1 Manhattan, will be favored.