Haskell Invitation Preview – July 28th, 2018
The Betfair Haskell Invitational has come into focus a little bit more this year. This is one of the richest races in the world but because it gets sandwiched between the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup it doesn’t quite attract the same level of interest across the Atlantic. The big news about the Haskell Invitational is that 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify was pulled from the action and as expected, he has been retired from racing. That’s some way to go out.
The action comes from Monmouth Park this Sunday and while Justify won’t be there, which would have pulled more punters through the gate, (in 2015 when the Triple Crown winner American Pharoah showed up they broke attendance records at Monmouth Park) the field looks pretty competitive and well worth digging into. The Haskell Invitational is the top race of the day, one of six races on the cards for the day.
Along with Justify, there are other notable absentees for this renewal with Audible and McKinzie not in action either.
Haskell Invitational Racing Winner Odds*
Good Magic 8/11
Bravado 6/1
Core Beliefs 6/1
Lone Sailor 6/1
Flame away 8/1
Promises Fulfilled 14/1
Navy Commander 40/1
Roaming Union 50/1
* (betting odds taken on July 26th, 2018 at 4:31 am)
As you can see from the betting odds available here you are looking at a very competitive race going down. The one to beat in terms of supremacy with the bettors in the absence of Justify is Good Magic the 8/11 odds favourite* (betting odds taken on July 26th, 2018 at 4:31 am). Good Magic has had a pretty good season after being really competitive in the Kentucky Derby before showing up well against at the Preakness where he took a fourth place finish. He was well up for a mile against Justify at the Preakness. He hasn’t been out since then but he looks to be in prime position for a shot at the title given his last two outings.
Core Beliefs won the Ohio Derby and so was sent to Monmouth Park for this next test. He took the Ohio Derby over Lone Sailor by nothing more than a nose. He did run out wide during the entire race though, but that showed the potential there for him. He is more about potential than a straight out threat but bookmakers are wary of him. That run at the Ohio Derby was at least a big step forward for him. This could be a chance and can get in the frame.
Bravazo was second at the Preakness and that was the highlight of his Triple Crown as he took a sixth-place finish at both the Kentucky Derby and at Belmont Stakes. So that’s not great form moving forward from him, but on his day he has that pep in his step which can help him pull everything together. You would just have wanted his form to be a little better and having matched up to Justify a little better in the other two Triple Crown races and just not the Preakness.
Lone Sailor then was right up there in contention for the win at the Ohio Derby but was beaten out by a nose by Core Beliefs. The thing is you could see that Lone Sailor actually wasn’t having that great of a race so he can go better. He has a big asset in the saddle with Joe Bravo taking the ride, who is a 13-time winner at Monmouth. He should at least be able to get his charge up into the top three. He was a non-entity at the Kentucky Derby where the start hampered him, but he has been good since including a 5th at the Preakness, two lengths back of winner Justify.
If you want another reason to jump on Lone Sailor then just look back at last year’s Haskell which was won by Girvin. He had been beaten by a nose in the Ohio Derby too. Put it all together and Lone Sailor looks a pretty strong contender. The main dark horse for the race is, without question, Promises Fulfilled. He took the title at the Fountain of Youth at a mark of 18/1 and he outperformed Core Beliefs who was 7/10 odds on for the day. Promises Fulfilled is a front-runner and could really stress his challengers if he has a good run.
Predictions
Looking at the pieces, Good Magic is a pretty good fit for the race, but we are going with an upset in this one by backing Core Beliefs to just put everything together on the day, run a good line and take the win. The other notable mention has to be the 14/1 shot Promises Fulfilled* (betting odds taken on July 26th, 2018 at 4:31 am) who isn’t always the most settled of runners, but if there’s a good start and he can get himself to the front early and out of trouble, he could well spring a surprise.
