2019 Haskell Invitational Stakes Study Guide

Jul 19, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A strong field of seven sophomores will vie in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on Saturday. Conditioner Bob Baffert, who has saddled eight winners of the event this century, ships a colt in to challenge the top-two finishers of the Pegasus Stakes, the key local prep for this race.

Here is the field:

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King for a Day Career Racing Stats

5 Starts
3 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $210,550

Top BRIS Speed rating (105) in Pegasus Stakes win

Owner: Red Oak Stable
Breeder: Red Oak Stable (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Ubetwereven
Color: Bay

This talented son of Uncle Mo is two-for-two in 2019 and was all heart in taking the Pegasus Stakes here most recently. The Kentucky-bred colt has never lost on a fast oval when going a route of ground, and the speedy sort could thrive with the innermost post today. John Velazquez gets his mount back.

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Joevia Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $281,600

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) in Belmont Stakes (G1) third and Jimmy Winkfield Stakes second

Owner: Michael and Jeff Fazio
Breeder: Ikhana Farm (KY)
Trainer: Gregory Sacco
Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Sire: Shanghai Bobby
Dam: Peace Process
Color: Dark Bay

Speedy sophomore was last seen setting the pace and staying on for a brave third in the Belmont Stakes (G1). The bargain $32,000 purchase is perfect from two races at Monmouth Park , and he signaled his readiness for this test with a bullet five-eighths drill last week.

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Spun to Run Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $82,620

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) in allowance win at Parx Racing

Owner: Robert P. Donaldson
Breeder: Sabana Farm (KY)
Trainer: Juan Guerrero
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Yawkey Way
Color: Bay

Rapidly improving Kentucky-bred has rolled home to win in two straight since stretching out to routes. The three-year-old colt will add blinkers in advance of his local debut and biggest assignment to date. The bay colt gets a significant rider upgrade to Paco Lopez for this endeavor.

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Bethlehem Road Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
3 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $124,300

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) in Parx Spring Derby victory

Owner: Don Ameche III, Gryphon Investments LLC and Randall B. Reed
Breeder: Gryphon Investments LLC, Don Ameche III and Randy Reed (KY)
Trainer: Dee Curry
Jockey: Luis Rodriguez Castro

Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Alydaria
Color: Bay

This gelding led throughout to win each of his first trio of races at Parx Racing, prior to a distant fourth-place finish in the Ohio Derby (G3) most recently. The long shot faces a tall task against a field of classy runners with a strong early pace likely.

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Mucho Gusto Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
5 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $430,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) win

Owner: Michael Lund Petersen
Breeder: Teneri Farm Inc. and Bernardo Alvarez Calderon (KY)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Joe Talamo

Sire: Mucho Macho Man
Dam: Itsagiantscauseway
Color: Chestnut

West Coast invader has never run a bad one and will aim to give Bob Baffert a ninth winner of this storied race. Kentucky-bred chestnut was impressive in winning from off the pace in the Affirmed Stakes (G3) in advance of this assignment, and he shows a pair of bullet morning moves in the interim. Regular pilot Joe Talamo comes along to ride.

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Everfast Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $499,805

Top BRIS Speed rating (98) for seventh in Belmont Stakes (G1)

Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Extern Developments (KY)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Sire: Take Charge Indy
Dam: Awesome Surprise
Color: Bay

Inconsistent bay was a fast-closing second in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and followed that with an even run in the Belmont Stakes (G1) for Dale Romans. The colt appears to be heading in the right direction as he has improved his BRIS Speed figures in four straight (73-85-86-94-98). The stretch runner will sit off a robust early pace and rally late beneath Julien Leparoux.

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Maximum Security Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
4 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $679,400

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Pegasus Stakes second

Owner: Gary and Mary West
Breeder: Gary and Mary West Stables Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Jason Servis
Jockey: Luis Saez

Sire: New Year’s Day
Dam: Lil Indy
Color: Bay

Standout three-year-old had a sharp prep run for today when second in the Pegasus Stakes on this oval. The lone Grade 1 winner in the field draws outside of his foes and is reportedly training in fine fashion for this contest. The Jason Servis charge is the one to beat for a conditioner who is winning at a high rate at the Monmouth Park meet.