No matter how he arrives, by plane, train, or horse van, Monmouth Park received the good news a day before Wednesday’s post-position draw for the $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1): The Derby winner is coming, the Derby winner is coming.
Mage, the surprise Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, will take on seven rivals in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, and is the 3-1 co-second betting choice leaving from post 4 with Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano aboard.
Trained by Gustavo Delgado, Mage finished third in the Preakness (G1), and has had three posted workouts since the May 20 second leg of the Triple Crown.
Mage arrived by horse van from Kentucky on Wednesday night, and co-owner Ramiro Restrepo says “it’s time to get the train started again.”
The field is not loaded with star 3-year-olds, but among the runners are Blue Grass (G1) winner Tapit Trice (seventh in the Derby, third in the Belmont) and lightly raced Arabian Knight, a $2.3 million purchase trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, seeking what would be a record-extending 10th Haskell win.
Since we’re dealing with Baffert, his colt was made the slight 5-2 morning-line favorite over Mage and Tapit Trice, also 3-1. Arabian Knight, with Hall of Famer John Velazquez getting the call, leaves from post 8; Tapit Trice, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, breaks from post 5 with Luis Saez aboard.
Also entered are Geaux Rocket Ride (Mike Smith, 9-2), Awesome Strong (TBD, 30-1), Salute the Stars (Joel Rosario, 8-1), and Howgreatisnate (Paco Lopez, 20-1).
“The Haskell is a race we’ve been watching since we were kids,’’ Restrepo said. “We were thinking about the best way to get to the Travers (on Aug. 26). When bringing him back after the layoff from the Preakness, it’s no secret that since the Preakness we were talking about the Travers as another special place in our hearts.”
“He had a great break after the Preakness – 17 days of no saddle and no racetrack. The break was good for him.”
Mage, a son of 2018 Haskell winner Good Magic, has won two of five career starts, with a runner-up finish to Forte in the Florida Derby (G1).
Baffert, who last won the Haskell with Authentic in 2020, came close to No. 10 last year as Taiba was nosed out by Cyberknife.
“The Haskell has always meant a lot to us. It’s a very important race. A lot of tradition,’’ Baffert said. “A lot of great horses have won that race. I love Monmouth Park.”
Arabian Knight comes into the race with a 2-for-2 record, a maiden win back in November, and a victory in the Southwest (G3) in January. He’s had several solid workouts at Santa Anita during his layoff.
“He’s doing well. He’s pretty fit,’’ Baffert said. “I don’t particularly like the 8 (post). I was hoping to be in the middle somewhere. We freshened him up. He’s doing really well. I think he’s ready for the mile-and-an-eighth. I feel good about the way he’s going into the race. I think conditioning-wise, he’s ready for it.”
Geaux Rocket Ride, trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, won the Affirmed (G3) at Santa Anita in his last start; Salute the Stars in 3-for-3 for trainer Brad Cox, looking or his third Haskell win – his previous winners were Cyberknife and Mandaloun in 2021.The Haskell headlines a 14-race card that features four other graded stakes, including the $600,000 United Nations (G1).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
