Summer Bird works for Haskell showdown

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird continued his pattern of Sunday workouts, breezing six furlongs in 1:13.80 at Monmouth Park.

Summer Bird is slated to take on the sensational filly Rachel Alexandra here on Aug. 2 in the $1 million Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds.

"He was perfect again," said trainer Tim Ice. "Everything is exactly on schedule. He'll have his final breeze next Sunday. Kent Desormeaux will be here for that."

Desormeaux, aboard for the Belmont win, has the return call in the Haskell. He will be looking to become the first rider to win back-to-back Haskells, having captured the race last year aboard Big Brown.

"He galloped out strongly," Ice added. "He'll gallop between now and his next work and then gallop up to the race."

The Haskell lineup at the moment also includes Munnings, Atomic Rain, and Bunker Hill. Papa Clem and Duke of Mischief are possible.

Big Drama also worked Sunday at Monmouth, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.80, the fastest of 23 clockings at the distance.

Originally on the Haskell list, trainer David Fawkes has indicated Big Drama will likely detour to the West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1 at Mountaineer Park.