Haskell Invitational Features Top Three Kentucky Derby Finishers

Posted Under: News by Jim Murphy on 27th July 2016

Heading into the post position draw for the Haskell Invitational it seemed much to quiet. Word was that only six challengers had an interest in facing Kentucky Derby champion Nyquist in his ‘comeback race’. Of these, Kentucky Derby third place finisher Gun Runner was the most capable challenger. The real draw of the race was to see how effective Nyquist would be in his return to the track. Making the quiet all the more unusual–there is a $1 million purse and a free pass into the Breeders’ Cup Classic awaiting the winner.

That all changed on Wednesday with the unexpected entry of Exaggerator into the Haskell Field. Exaggerator won the Preakness Stakes and finished second in the Kentucky Derby. He’s considered the top contender to Nyquist for the Eclipse Award for best three year old. A win here could be huge in that regard since both horses have impressive credentials. Nyquist has won the Grade 2 San Felipe, the Grade 1 Florida Derby and, of course, the Kentucky Derby. Exaggerator has a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, a 2nd place in the Kentucky Derby and a win in the Grade 1 Preakness.

Here’s where things get strange–trainer Keith Desormeaux has said that he isn’t happy with how Exaggerator has been training. The plan had reportedly been for Exaggerator to take on a less formidable field in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. So far no explanation for the entry of Exaggerator into the field but here’s one scenario–with a strong potential for rainy weather and sloppy tracks this week Desormeaux figured that he’d ‘roll the dice’ given his horse’s (in)famous love of running in the mud. There’s currently a flash flood watch out for the Monmouth Beach area with a 60% chance of thunderstorms on race day.

The other horses in the field are Gun Runner, No Distortion, Brody’s Cause, Sunny Ridge, Awesome Slew and American Freedom. The $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational will be run on the dirt track with a distance of 1 1/8 mile. Nyquist is the morning line favorite at 6-5 with Gun Runner and Exaggerator co-second choice at 3-1. American Freedom is 6-1, Brody’s Cause is 12-1, Sunny Ridge is 20-1 and Awesome Slew is 30-1.