Lone Sailor Latest to Join Haskell Lineup

The time-tested axiom that pace makes the race is precisely the reason that trainer Tom Amoss announced July 24 that he has decided to send Lone Sailor—runner-up in the Ohio Derby (G3) and the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)—to the Betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park July 29, bringing the field to six for the track's signature race.

Amoss was looking for a race with enough speed for his colt to run at, and the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, he said, provides that.

"The decision was between staying where we are at Saratoga for the (grade 2) Jim Dandy or going to the Haskell," said Amoss. "The underlying and deciding factor was the pace set-up. My horse wants to have a pace to run at, and looking at the two races and comparing the fields it was evident that there was going to be a lot more pace in the Haskell than the Jim Dandy."

Joe Bravo will have the mount, with Lone Sailor arriving at Monmouth Saturday, where he will bed down in Michael Stidham's barn.

Lone Sailor will join a field that includes juvenile champion Good Magic, Preakness Stakes (G1) runner-up Bravazo, Ohio Derby winner Core Beliefs, Navy Commander, and Roaming Union.

Trainer Dale Romans said Tuesday he still has not decided on a course of action for graded stakes winner Promises Fulfilled or his stablemate Mr Freeze, but he expects to firm up his plans July 25 for both colts.

Lone Sailor was beaten a nose in his last start in the Ohio Derby by Core Beliefs and missed winning the Louisiana Derby by a neck.

Core Beliefs was confirmed for the Haskell last weekend, with trainer Peter Eurton saying owner Gary Broad wanted to take a shot in the top-level test. Third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) behind eventual Triple Crown winner Justify, Core Beliefs ran second in the May 12 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park before he won the Ohio Derby.

"My owner wants to come. He says it's the chance of a lifetime," said the California-based Eurton. "He wants to take on Good Magic and the rest."