What You Need to Know About the Haskell
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American Pharoah is slated to make his next start in the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational Stakes. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire unless otherwise noted)
The world was surprised and thrilled when it was announced that Triple Crown winner American Pharoah would continue his racing career after the Belmont Stakes, but it was no shock which race the team decided he’d target next.
The Haskell Invitational Stakes is a Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds that takes place at Monmouth Park, the jewel of the Jersey Shore. Read on to learn more about the race and why American Pharoah’s team is targeting it.
1. There will be a Pharoah party.
This year Monmouth Park is hosting a three-day “Pharoah Phan Phestival” celebrating the Triple Crown winner, featuring giveaways, a mini golf tournament with jockeys, a ladies’ day and more.
MONMOUTH PARK
Photo by Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing
2. Bob Baffert has had tremendous success in the race.
American Pharoah’s trainer, Bob Baffert, owns a record seven wins in the Haskell, including 2014 with Bayern. In fact, one of the giveaways of the weekend is a Baffert “jersey” with a No. 7 on it.
3. The purse is big.
The Haskell Invitational carries a $1 million purse, with $600,000 going to the winner. Update: As of July 29, the 2015 Haskell purse has been nearly doubled to $1,750,000.
4. The distance is great for speedy horses.
Though American Pharoah showed distance was no issue when he conquered the 1 ½-mile Belmont, the Haskell’s 1 1/8-mile distance has proved perfect for fast horses wanting to stretch their speed.
2014 HASKELL WINNER BAYERN
5. It will be on TV.
The Haskell will be televised live on NBC from 5-6 p.m. ET on Aug. 2.
6. The race has been around a while.
The Haskell was first run in 1968, named for the first president and chairman of the Monmouth Jockey Club, Amory L. Haskell.
7. The Zayats are from Jersey.
Monmouth Park is located in Oceanport, N.J., the same state that American Pharoah’s owner, the Zayat family, calls home.
AHMED AND JOANNE ZAYAT
8. A lot of money is bet on Haskell day.
$15,952,611 in 2014, to be exact. The record handle for the day is $17,642,955, set in 2008 when that year’s Derby-Preakness winner Big Brown won the Haskell.
9. The race has a catchy nickname.
Though it may not be as well-known as the Derby’s run for the roses moniker, the Haskell’s “War at the Shore” nickname is a memorable one.
10. Just two Kentucky Derby winners have won the Haskell.
Though the overall success rate (two winners from eight runners) of Kentucky Derby winners in the Haskell isn’t great, Baffert and American Pharoah’s jockey, Victor Espinoza, are 1-for-1 with their Derby winner in the race after War Emblem scored in 2002.
BAFFERT AND WAR EMBLEM
Photo by HorsePhotos
11. The speed record is shared by two horses.
Both Bet Twice (1987) and Majestic Light (1976) completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47. Verrazano won the race by a record margin of 9 ¾ lengths in 2013.
12. There will be a huge crowd for the race.
The record attendance for the Haskell is 53,638 in 2003, but Monmouth Park officials are expecting 60,000 to show up to witness American Pharoah’s first race as a Triple Crown winner.
13. Favorites fare well.
In 47 runnings of the Haskell, 23 of them have been won by the betting favorite including seven of the last 10 editions. Only 13 favorites finished worse than third.
14. No Triple Crown winner has ever won the race.
But then again, no Triple Crown winner has ever run in it, so hopefully for American Pharoah’s connections and fans the tally will be 1-for-1 come Aug. 2.