Monmouth Ups Haskell Purse to $1.75 Million
Description:
The purse for the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 2 has been increased by $750,000, Monmouth Park announced July 29.
The $750,000 addition to the purse makes this year's Haskell—which will include Zayat Stables' American Pharoah—worth $1.75 million in total, makes it the richest non-Breeders' Cup race ever run in New Jersey, and recognizes the prestige of a Triple Crown winner running at Monmouth.
"The Haskell has been called the fourth jewel of the Triple Crown," said Bob Kulina, president of Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park. "With the (Kentucky) Derby purse at $2 million, and the Preakness and Belmont going to $1.5 million, it's only fitting that we join in that mix for our race, which has proven itself the next logical step for 3-year-olds following the Triple Crown."
In 2001 the purse for the Haskell was $1.5 million when Point Given proved victorious, and in 2009, reached $1.25 million when the filly Rachel Alexandra romped home.
"We've all waited a long time to see a Triple Crown-winning horse, and we're thankful to the Zayat family and trainer Bob Baffert for choosing to showcase their champion at Monmouth Park," Kulina said. "It will be a historic day for horse racing, Monmouth Park, and the state of New Jersey.
"All participants will share in this purse increase. We've had purse increases to the Haskell before, but have never seen a Triple Crown winner, so to make this one a record is only fitting."
Throughout its history, the Haskell has seen 25 champions participate in the race, seven of which went on to be named Horse of the Year and eight who are enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
The Haskell will go as race 12 on Sunday's 14-race program, with an estimated post time at 5:52 p.m. ET. NBC will broadcast this year's race live from 5 to 6 p.m.