On this Haskell eve

It's really hard to believe that three years ago, we saw a wonderful filly desimate a group of colts that included the 2009 3yo Champion Male. However, Rachel Alexandra did just that when she won the 2009 Haskell over Summer Bird and Munnings. Of course after that she won both the Woodward and Horse of the Year honors over Zenyatta. In 2010, Looking at Lucky romped over a field that included the Derby winner Super Saver. A win in the Indiana Derby sealed 3yo Male honors for him. Both of those horses, had won the Preakness Stakes before winning the Haskell. In last year's edition, Coil was able to run down the Preakness winner Shackleford and doing stretch. However, neither of them were able to get the 3yo Champion as Animal Kingdom who has been idle since the Belmont was able to hold on over BC Dirt Mile winner Caleb's Posse. Here is video of all three of the wins:

Rachel



Lucky



Coil



With this years Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another injured and retired and Belmont winner Union Rags the same, the Haskell is wide open this year so let's take a look at this year's field.

13th Race - Monmouth Park - Sunday, July 29th, 2012
STAKES. 1 1/8 Mile Dirt. Purse $1,000,000. Haskell Invitational S. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS. By invitation only, with no nomination, entry or starting fees. The winning owner to receive $600,000, $200,000 to second, $100,000 to third, $60,000 to fourth, $30,000 to fifth and $10,000 to sixth. Weight: 122 lbs. Non-winners of a Triple Crown race allowed 2 lbs.; Non-winners of a Grade I Stake at a mile or over in 2012, 4 lbs.The owner of the winner to receive a trophy.e owner of the winner to receive a trophy. (06:17 PM) (6)
PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer
1 Nonios 3 C L 118 Nakatani Corey S. Hollendorfer Jerry
2 Dullahan 3 C L 120 Desormeaux Kent J. Romans Dale L.
3 Paynter 3 C L 118 Bejarano Rafael Baffert Bob
4 Gemologist 3 C L 120 Castellano Javier Pletcher Todd A.
5 Handsome Mike 3 C L 118 Gutierrez Mario O'Neill Doug F.
6 Stealcase 3 C L 118 Bridgmohan Shaun Casse Mark E.

Nonios was second in the Swaps last time out behind Blueskiesandrainbows (who was 3rd to I'll Have Another in the SA Derby). Dullahan will try to rebound from a disastrous Belmont and gets Kent D. back in the irons. Paynter finished second in the Belmont is subbing for his stablemate Bodemeister. Gemologist will try to rebound from his first defeat and an injury that kept him out of the Belmont. Handsome Mike while not as accomplished as his now retired stablemate, he has a chance in this race. However, his past stakes chances haven't been great. Stealcase is the wildcard after finishing second in the Matt Winn.

So who gets the win? I'm thinking if no one goes with Paynter and the fact that Monmouth is a speed favoring track he goes gate to wire. If there is a hot pace then look out for Dullahan who on class alone should be in the mix even though he is more then likely on the wrong surface. Gemologist for third.