Monmouth Park Invites 30 to Haskell

A total of 30 invites to top 3-year-olds have gone out for the $1 million betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I), centerpiece of the racing season at Monmouth Park, to be renewed for the 49th time July 31.

Leading the way on the list of invites are the three Triple Crown race winners: Nyquist (grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands), Exaggerator (grade I Preakness Stakes), and Creator (grade I Belmont Stakes), coupled with a trio from the Bob Baffert barn (American Freedom, Arrogate, and Cupid) as the Hall of Fame trainer looks to add to his record eight Haskell wins.

The Haskell, which last year saw Triple Crown winner American Pharoah   wow a record crowd of more than 60,000, is contested at 1 1/8 miles. According to Monmouth, horses in the Haskell have won 39 Triple Crown races, nine Horse of the Year trophies, and seven Breeders' Cup Classics.

Betfair, operator of an exchange wagering platform, is a first-time sponsor of the Haskell and has recently launched exchange wagering in New Jersey.

In addition to the Haskell July 31, that day's racing card includes four other graded stakes: $200,000 Monmouth Cup (gr. II); $150,000 Oceanport (gr. IIIT); $100,000 Molly Pitcher (gr. III); and, $100,000 WinStar Matchmaker (gr. IIIT).  

Others invited to the Haskell, to date include: Adventist, Dalmore, My Man Sam, Destin, Donegal Moon, Shagaf, Awesome Slew, Economic Model, Songbird, Awesome Speed, Stradivari, Brody's Cause, Gift Box, Suddenbreakingnews, Cherry Wine, Governor Malibu, Sunny Ridge, Connect, Gun Runner, Swipe, Mo Tom, Thatlookonyerface, Mohaymen, and Tom's Ready.