Pegasus Winner Mr. Jordan to Haskell

As anticipation builds for the running of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational (gr. I), the connections of Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) winner Mr. Jordan have declared their intent to take on the champ Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.

Monmouth-based Mr. Jordan is coming off a head victory in the June 21 Pegasus Stakes, where he sat second, just off the early pacesetter Tekton, before coming even with the leader and taking the lead into the stretch. Tekton fought back gamely late in the stretch, but couldn't get to Mr. Jordan, who won the 1 1/16-mile event to earn his first graded win.

BALAN: Mr. Jordan Makes Grade in Pegasus Stakes

"He came out of the Pegasus 100 percent," said Eddie Plesa Jr., who conditions the horse for Laurie Plesa and David Melin. "We couldn't be happier with how he is doing."

Mr. Jordan most recently worked over the New Jersey oval's main track July 15, when he went four furlongs in :49 3/5.

Even going up against the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed won't change Plesa's strategy going into the race.

"It will all depend on the pace of the race and how it develops," Plesa said. "The size of field won't matter into our game plan. We aren't going to change what has been working for us."

The 3-year-old colt by Kantharos  , out of the Cloud Hopping mare Miss Skeetd broke his maiden at Monmouth last year and went on to win multiple stakes as a 2-year-old, including the Juvenile Sprint and Smooth Air Stakes at Gulfstream Park West.

The Haskell will be televised live on NBC and is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win & You're In" series, with the victor getting an automatic berth to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 31.

Grandstand admission will be sold the day of the race for $6, with clubhouse admission slated for $9. Gates will open at 9 a.m. ET, with first post coming at 11:30 a.m.