Mandaloun Turns in Final Work for Haskell

Leading TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) contender Mandaloun  turned in his final work July 10 at Monmouth Park for the $1 million 3-year-old feature, with rival Basso  also tuning up over the New Jersey track.

Mandaloun went five furlongs in 1:02 while Basso was clocked in 1:02 1/5 for the same distance.

"An easy maintenance work," assistant Blake Cox said of Juddmonte's Mandaloun. "He went the five-eighths in 1:02 and was out in about 1:13.3 and he galloped out very well.

"We asked him a little bit and he picked it up. A very solid work."

Mandaloun, who arrived at Monmouth Tuesday, has the advantage of a race over the track, having won the June 13 TVG.com Pegasus Stakes there after finishing second in the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).

Cox said Mandaloun will have a light schedule next week. He said trainer Brad Cox, his father, is due in the day of the race.

"We'll just gallop steady into the race," said the younger Cox. "This was a good work seven days out. We stayed on schedule."

Gregg Sacco, trainer and part owner of Basso along with Michael Fazio, was similarly pleased with his colt's work.

"Kind of what we wanted to go," said the Monmouth Park-based Sacco, who will mark his Haskell debut. "I didn't want him to go too fast because he had a stiff work last week. He galloped out in 1:14 and change.

"We're all set to go. It was actually a picture perfect work. Isaac Castillo (who will ride Basso in the race) was on him. He couldn't have been any happier with him."

Sacco said Basso would have a week of maintenance training leading up to the race, and added he plans to have to have the son of Cairo Prince   school in the paddock and at the gate.

Doug O'Neill trainee Hot Rod Charlie , the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner who was third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), was on a flight that was due to arrive at 4:30 p.m. ET. He was expected to van into Monmouth Park around 6 p.m.

Preakness Stakes (G1) runner-up Midnight Bourbon , Monmouth Park-based grade 3 winner Pickin' Time , and allowance winner Following Sea  are the other probables for the 54th edition of the Haskell. Todd Pletcher, who trains Following Sea, said that Pegasus Stakes third Dr Jack  will not run in the Haskell.