By US Racing Team
Once-beaten Authentic was made the 4-5 morning-line favorite in a field of seven entered for the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on Saturday.
Authentic, who drew the No. 2 post and will be ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, is trained by eight-time Haskell winning trainer, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
Authentic – Photo Courtesy of Santa Anita Park
Winner of his first three starts and runner-up to Honor A.P. in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on June 6, Authentic will be racing outside California for the first time.
Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Dr Post, trained by Todd Pletcher, was made the 5-2 second during Wednesday’s post-position draw. Dr Post, with Joe Bravo getting the call, drew the No. 1 post for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell for 3-year-olds.
Ny Traffic, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., is the 7-2 third choice coming off second-place finishes in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in March and the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) in May.
Also entered are Jesus’ Team (15-1), Ancient Warrior (20-1), Fame to Famous (30-1), and Lebda (20-1).
For the first time, the Haskell is a Kentucky Derby (G1) points-qualifier offering 100-40-20-10 points to the first four finishers. The Derby has been rescheduled to Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, the Haskell is a “Win and You’re In’’ race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Nov. 7.
Baffert’s eight Haskell winners: American Pharoah (2015), Bayern (2014), Paynter (2012), Coli (2011), Lookin at Lucky (2010), Roman Ruler (2005), War Emblem (2002), and Point Given (2001).
Haskell Stakes Odds
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr Post | Todd Pletcher | Joe Bravo | 5-2 |
| 2 | Authentic | Bob Baffert | Mike Smith | 4-5 |
| 3 | Jesus’ Team | Jose D’Angelo | Nik Juarez | 15-1 |
| 4 | Ancient Warrior | Jerry Hollendorfer | Trevor McCarthy | 20-1 |
| 5 | Fame to Famous | John P. McAllen | Jose C. Ferrer | 30-1 |
| 6 | Lebda | Claudio Gonzalez | Alex Cintron | 20-1 |
| 7 | Ny Traffic | Saffie Joseph, Jr. | Paco Lopez | 7-2 |