Haskell a key race for championship aspirants

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The 50th running of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday is a pivotal race if its entrants are going to have a say in the 3-year-old male division championship. With a lot on the line, the result should be a hard-fought, take-no-prisoners-style brawl.

Champagne and Hopeful stakes winner Practical Joke is the only Grade 1 winner in the lineup, but a victory by any of the seven runners would move them up significantly in the divisional standings at a time when opportunities are running out. The only 3-year-old Grade 1 routes remaining this year are the Aug. 26 Travers at Saratoga and the Sept. 23 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

Timeline, who is 4 for 4, and Irish War Cry, who has shown flashes of brilliance during an up-and-down campaign, will vie for favoritism in the $1 million Haskell.

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Chad Brown has been targeting the race for months with Timeline, who did not make his career debut until March. Brown sent Timeline to Monmouth in mid-June for a front-running score in the Grade 3 Pegasus. He is the only horse in the field with a race over the track.

“We have had an eye on the Haskell for a long time,” Brown said. “We thought this race would suit him because by the time it came around, he’d be ready for it. I also think 1 1/8 miles will be his best distance. But it’s a tough race. Anyone can win.”

Graham Motion trains Wood Memorial winner Irish War Cry for 86-year-old Isabelle de Tomaso, the daughter of Amory Haskell, for whom the race is named. De Tomaso and her sister Hope Jones present the Haskell trophy each year. On Sunday, they could be presenting and accepting.

“Over the winter in Florida, Isabelle made it clear to me she’d like to race here,” Motion said. “I feel really good about him right now.”

Trainer Ian Wilkes realizes that three-time graded winner McCraken needs a Grade 1 win.

“It’s very important for this horse to win a Grade 1,” Wilkes said. “Now he has to go out and do it. It’s his turn to do the talking.”

The Haskell field also includes Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Battle of Midway, Louisiana Derby winner Girvin, and recent Iowa Derby winner Hence.

The 1 1/8-mile Haskell is sponsored by Betfair.com and will be televised on NBC from 5-6 p.m. Eastern. The race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, and the winner will earn a fees-paid berth in the BC Classic.

The 14-race Monmouth card, which begins at noon, will have a pick four with a $400,000-guaranteed pool starting on race 9 and concluding with the Haskell. There will be a $100,000-guaranteed pick five on races 10-14.

Monmouth and the New York Racing Association will combine on a pick four that will include the Matchmaker at Monmouth, a Saratoga allowance, the Haskell, and a $40,000 claiming turf sprint at Saratoga. The 50-cent bet will have a 15 percent takeout.

Timeline may go right to the front from post 3 under Javier Castellano. Irish War Cry also is quick and could take up a stalking position. Irish War Cry drew the rail post, and it will be up to Rajiv Maragh to work out a trouble-free trip.

Battle of Midway raced forwardly throughout the Kentucky Derby for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The improving son of Smart Strike has since won the Grade 3 Affirmed at Santa Anita.

“Most tracks are speed favoring, and Monmouth is, too,” Hollendorfer said. “We’ll come up with a plan to give him his best chance.”

Look for Battle of Midway and jockey Flavien Prat to keep Timeline and Irish War Cry in sight early from post 2. Battle of Midway’s presence could help ensure an honest pace.

McCraken has overcome two minor injuries this season. He enters the Haskell off a win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs and looks ready for a big race.

“I believe you have to run to your strength,” Wilkes said. “He likes to relax and sit about five lengths out of it. One thing about this horse is he has never lost his confidence. He still has his swagger.”

Don’t be surprised if jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. pulls the trigger early if he senses a slow pace.

Practical Joke, Brown’s second entrant, broke a four-race losing streak in the one-mile Dwyer at Belmont on July 8.

“It’s no secret he’s 4 for 4 around one turn,” Brown said. “He has excelled at that, but you have to take some chances with these horses in the classic races. I’m confident he can handle 1 1/8 miles. If he doesn’t do well at two turns, we probably won’t try it again.”

Girvin should come from a few lengths back. He looked like a winner in the stretch of the Ohio Derby last out for trainer Joe Sharp but dropped a head bob to Irap. Robby Albarado picks up the mount.

“We’ll let Robby play the break and see how the race unfolds,” Sharp said.

Hence came from far back to win the Iowa Derby. He will be the longest price in the field and would benefit from a pace meltdown similar to the one he got while winning the Sunland Derby for trainer Steve Asmussen.