Jude Feld’s William Hill Haskell Invitational (G1) Day Stakes Analysis
July 26th, 2014
7TH Race – The Molly Pitcher (G2)
ZUCCHINI FLOWER is capable of big races on occasion. The pace scenario in this event could work to her advantage she should get a perfect trip right behind the pacesetters. She has an affinity for Monmouth Park and hails from the powerful H. Graham Motion stable. NATALIE VICTORIA came off a short rest to smash a decent field in the Monmouth Beach Stakes in her last start. The Michelle Nevin trainee has become a very solid mare since being haltered for $12,500 at the end of last year and may be able to run them off their feet. MAJESTIC RIVER has won her last two races over the track, including the Lighthouse Stakes last month. She is bred to be a good one and is, without a doubt, the filly to beat. MONTANA NATIVE is a multiple stakes winner who is in very sharp form. Her trainer, Christophe Clement, has been on fire lately, so she cannot be ignored.
8th Race – The Teddy Drone Stakes
Ordinarily, this type of race is won by a sharp shipper, but New Jersey-bred RAINBOW HEIR looks like the top choice in this “open†stakes. He had a nice allowance prep versus state-breds and should be ready to fire his best shot here. He’s won three of four starts in Oceanport and has trained perfectly over this track. RIBO BOBO is always reliable for a big try. He shoulders top weight, but he loves Monmouth Park and hasn’t been out of the money in a long time. CANDYMAN E. is rounding to form for sharp trainer David Jacobson. The son of Candy Ride should be flying in the stretch once again and could take it all if there is a hot pace up front early.
9th Race – The Winstar Matchmaker (G3)
WATSDACHANCES is a very talented filly. She just missed winning the Gallorette (G3) at Pimlico, when nipped by the en fuego Somali Lemonade. The Chad Brown trainee runs hard in every start and her turf figure stands out in this field. Jockey Rosie Napravnik is going to have to put SHE’S NOT LAZY in the race early, like she did at Saratoga last summer at 18-1, to give the Graham Motion-trained filly her best shot to win. She had a lot of trouble in the R.G. Dick Memorial (G3) last time out, but still managed to finish well. A better trip awaits. NASHLY’S VOW owns excellent tactical speed and could certainly be part of the trifecta with a cushy early lead. Her bullet work at Laurel Park on July 17 adds fuel to the fire.
10th Race – The Monmouth Cup (G2)
EASTER GIFT has a lot of class. He’s faced some tough customers and has managed to bank over $600,000. The son of Hard Spun hasn’t been seen under silks since a third-place finish behind Will Take Charge and Game On Dude in the Clark Handicap (G1) last November, but he has been training well for Chad Brown, whose horses are deadly off the bench. PANTS ON FIRE ran last in the Japan Cup Dirt (G1) in his lmost recent outing on December 1 of last year. Monmouth Park is his home track and he has been training happily here. It would not be shocking to see the millionaire in the winners’ circle. VALID and BRADESTER ding-donged around the track in the Salvatore Mile (G1) until Itsmyluckyday said the race was over. Both of them would benefit by more patient rides.
11th Race – The Metropolitan Jets Oceanport Stakes (G3)
World traveler MSHAWISH is capable of great things, including winning the Zabeel Mile (G2). He is certainly the most accomplished colt in this field and if jockey Joe Bravo can work out a decent trip, the Todd Pletcher trainee should be posing for pictures. JOE TESS showed an affinity for turf two races back and ran o.k. in the slop when the Elkwood was taken off the grass. His early speed should be an asset from the outside post. UNDER CONTROL always gives his best and might get a great trip just behind the early speed. SLIM SHADY has banked three-quarters of a million dollars and should be considered in light of his recent stakes victory. GUYS REWARD is a deep closer. That is usually a no-no on the Monmouth Park sod, but if the field falls apart late, he could get a piece of the pie – maybe a big piece.
12th Race – The William Hill Haskell Invitational (G1)
Many in this field have distance questions and others are probably just not fast enough to win this race. UNTAPABLE has been ultra-impressive this year. She has absolutely creamed the best in her division. Make no mistake, she’s left some very good fillies in her wake. She’s got a great pressing style that Jockey Rosie Napravnik can use to keep her in the clear. As my friend Jessica Bedard-Moura would say, “Girl Power.†WILDCAT RED is a stone runner. He’s bred to be a sprinter, but nobody has told him that. He’s a super-game colt and his trainer, Jose Garoffalo has done a masterful job with him this year. He can be counted on for another solid performance. MEDAL COUNT has been on a crazy schedule this year, but he has run consistently well. He’s bred for turf, and won his only start on the sod, but his dirt races are very solid and his trainer, Dale Romans, thinks he’ll be an important horse for a long time to come.
