Notes on the Haskell Day Program
August 5th, 2007By Jude T. Feld and Robert Kieckhefer
My pre-race notes are in light type and UPI racing scribe Bob Keickhefer’s post race notes are in bold.
Even players who don’t usually bet Monmouth Park should pay strict attention to the races there this afternoon. With the Breeders’ Cup being held at the Jersey shore this year, we have a golden opportunity to see who seems to relish the racetrack or turf course and whom we might want to avoid in October. The card is marvelous anyway – enjoy!
Monmouth 3rd Race- Regret Stakes) OPRAH WINNEY has the class and speed advantage, jockey Edgar Prado and trainer Dick Dutrow and the cozy outside draw. It’s a bit surprising she’s 8/5 on the morning line – she should be 3/5.
Oprah Winney led all the way to a 3 1/4-lengths victory over Sweet Fervor in Sunday’s $100,000 Regret Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 furlongs on the dirt. Cherokee Jewel finished third. Oprah Winney, a 4-year-old, New York-bred filly by Royal Academy, finished in 1:09.35 with Edgar Prado up for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.
Monmouth 8th Race – Oceanport (G3)) With several speed horses figuring to contest the early fractions, SILENT ROAR looks to have a better than average shot at the trophy. Smarty Jones’ jockey Stewart Elliot knows him well and should have him in the garden spot when the real racing begins.
Silent Roar roared down the stretch to a 1-length victory in Sunday’s $150,000 Oceanport Stakes. Kiss the Kid was second, just a neck in front of Kip Deville and another nose to the good of Icy Atlantic. Silent Roar, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred gelding by Unbridled’s Song, ran the 1 1/16 mile on firm turf in 1:38.99. Stewart Elliott was up for trainer Michael Moran.
Monmouth 10th Race – Jersey Derby) BUDDY’S HUMOR should appreciate the soft hands of jockey Garrett Gomez after being strangled on the lead in the Lexington Stakes last time out. His trainer Bruce Levine is having a huge year, adding to the appeal.
Buddy’s Humor led most of the way to a 3-lengths win in Sunday’s $100,000 Jersey Derby. Chaluiwitcane finished second and French Vintage was third. Buddy’s Humor, a Kentucky-bred colt by Distorted Humor, got the 1 1/16 mile on firm turf in 1:41.64 under Garrett Gomez. Bruce Levine is the winning trainer.
Monmouth 12th Race – Taylor Made Matchmaker (G3)) ROSHANI has excellent tactical speed and should get first run on the closers. She will undoubtedly have to hold off the stretch charge of SILVER CHARADES who has won back-to-back starts for her new trainer Marty Wolfson, including a Grade 3 victory at Colonial Downs.
Roshani, the even-money favorite, advanced from a pace-stalking position to win Sunday’s $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes by 1 length over Trick’s Pic. Humoristic finished third. Roshani, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred filly by Fantastic Light, ran 9 furlongs on firm turf in 1:47.55. Garrett Gomez rode for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Monmouth 13th Race – Haskell Invitational (G1)) Three of this year’s major Derby contenders – CURLIN, HARD SPUN and ANY GIVEN SATURDAY are set to contest this summer classic. CURLIN opens as the even money favorite by virtue of finishing in the money in all three Triple Crown events and winning the Preakness (G1). His strenuous campaign and tough beat in the Belmont (G1) might have taken a toll on him however, opening the door for an upset. ANY GIVEN SATURDAY is a quality colt but is slightly suspect at races farther than a mile and a sixteenth. HARD SPUN is a racing machine. He has been training lights out at Delaware for this race and looks primed for a big run this afternoon under his old pal Mario Pino.
The first Saturday in May wasn’t the one for Any Given Saturday. Maybe the last Saturday in October will be it.
Any Given Saturday, a Kentucky-bred son of Distorted Humor, ran eighth in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, fading after making a bold move toward the leaders at the top of the stretch. Hard Spun and Curlin finished second and third in the Run for the Roses, behind Street Sense.
Trainer Todd Pletcher regrouped with Any Given Saturday as Curlin went on to win the Preakness Stakes and the super filly, Rags to Riches, was victorious in the Belmont Stakes.
On Sunday, things were different. Curlin, Hard Spun and Any Given Saturday faced off again in an unusually tough renewal of the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. And this time, it was Any Given Saturday who prevailed, racing from off the pace, taking complete charge in the stretch and finishing 4 1/2 convincing lengths in front of Hard Spun. Curlin was a head farther back in third.
Any Given Saturday, under Garrett Gomez, ran the 9 furlongs in 1:48.35 on a fast track – the same surface that on the last Saturday in October will host the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge.
