OCEANPORT, N.J. – Orlando Bocachica had his hands full trying to pull up Irish You Well following his victory in the $105,000 Long Branch Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park. The colt had just won his first stakes and looked ready for more. He’ll likely get it in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds on July 27. The Long Branch is the final local prep for the meet’s richest event. The winner of the Long Branch is traditionally extended a Haskell invitation. That looks like Irish You Well’s destination after holding off Just Call Kenny by a half-length in the Long Branch. He’s certainly moving in the right direction. Trainer Wayne Catalano had enough confidence in the colt to run him in the Grade 3 Illinois Derby and the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes even though the horse was still a maiden. Irish You Well ran well in both stakes to finish third. After the Peter Pan, which produced the 1-2 finishers in the Belmont Stakes, Irish You Well headed to Monmouth, where he cruised to an easy maiden win on the class drop. The trip over the track set him up perfectly for the Long Branch. “We’re planning to run him in the Haskell,” Catalano said. “He’s stabled here, and that’s the reason I broke his maiden over here. He handles the surface really well.” Bocachica gave him a ground-saving trip, tucked on the rail behind the pacesetting Encryption. Irish You Well angled out on the final turn as Just Call Kenny, pinched back at the break, started to rev up with a three-wide sweep. It was strictly those two in deep stretch, with Just Call Kenny steadily inching closer as Bocachica urged on Irish You Well with a strong left hand. “I had a lot of horse,” Bocachica said. “When I asked him to go, he was there for me.” Irish You Well paid $12 to win. The time was 1:42.55 for the 1 1/16 miles on the fast track. The Long Branch runner-up also usually gets a Haskell invite. Just Call Kenny earned consideration with a big effort after a long layoff. This was his first start since winning the Spectacular Bid Stakes in January at Gulfstream Park. He came out of the race with a condylar fracture that required surgical repair. He also could be poised to make the Haskell leap. “For his first time around two turns, I was real impressed and pleased with how he did,” said trainer Pat McBurney. “If he comes out of the race good, and provided we’re invited, we’ll be back for the Haskell.” Encryption held on for third, with All Tied Up fourth. Misconnect took the late action to be the 17-10 favorite. He got sandwiched at the start and finished fifth. Wise Child was sixth, followed by Tiz’naz and Pass the Coffee.