Rachel Alexandra comes into the Haskell fit and ready. She looked super while schooling yesterday at Monmouth Park. She looks to have many things in her favor as well. The addition of Munnings in the race certainly makes it a more interesting race, especially on the front end. Munnings is coming off two super charged efforts, and in the process earning big speed figures. Munnings should go to the lead, and try to go as far as his speed will carry him. If it were not for the daunting presence of Rachel Alexandra, Munnings would stand a great chance to win the Haskell, but Rachel is in and ready.
How will the race go down? Munnings should go to the lead, Rachel Alexandra, who drew outside of Munnings, which is a plus for her, will sit off Munnings a length if not more, but with her natural, easy running style it won’t matter all that much. Bunker Hill and Duke of Mischief might try to join the leaders early as well,but will be hard pressed to keep up as the race goes on.
The rest of the field will be behind her. Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird will sit behind and make a move turning for home. He will try to catch both Rachel Alexandra and Munnings, which will not be an easy task. He was able to win the Belmont Stakes off a fast pace at a mile and a half. Trainer Tim Ice says Summer Bird is ready to roll, but the dynamics of the Haskell will be different from the Belmont Stakes. Munnings will be there most of the way, with Rachel Alexandra and her natural speed will eventually join him. At that point it becomes a battle of class between the two. Munnings is in super form, but for the first time will see Rachel Alexandra up close and personal. When and if Rachel is set down, she should respond as she has in every other race she has been in as a 3-year-old. She is a super talented and fast filly. Munnings will have to fend her off, and that is asking a lot, keep in mind though I think highly of Munnings and his ability, and Munnings is the fastest horse to date that Rachel Alexandra has been in against, but Rachel Alexandra looks to be on a path to greatness. He will have to be super to win. He is also stretching out, and that final furlong will be a test with Rachel Alexandra gearing up and moving. The way the track plays, I expect this track to be speed favoring all day. Rachel Alexandra will not have a cake walk as she would have had, if Munnings did not show up, she will have to work for it, but she is a champion with her amazing easy, natural running style will help her get the job done.
The only question that might remain is by how much will she win. Will she win by daylight or will it be a close battle to the wire. She put away Big Drama with ease in the Preakness, who is a very fast horse, and he stands a big chance to win West Virginia Derby. Munnings will have a say in that. He will run his race, but he will have to beat the best 3-year-old in the game right now. He faces a tall task, but comes into this in top form and ready to run.
The rest of the field looks overmatched. Atomic Rain at one point looked to be huge player in the race, before the additions of Rachel Alexandra and Munnings. Atomic Rain was Recently purchased by Godolphin, he will break from post position 5. Atomic Rain has also battled a sore foot this past week, and that is never a positive, nonetheless an in the money finish is not out of the question, third in particular. Summer Bird the possible second choice at post time will make a late run to try to get the leaders, like in the Belmont Stakes, only problem is the leaders here, in particular, Rachel Alexandra will have plenty in the tank and will keep going, making it very difficult for him to get her on that track. Again, an in the money finish is possible for him. Papa Clem should improve off his poor Long Branch performance, but would have to improve immensely to win. Duke of Mischief and Bunker Hill round out the field, both are overmatched in the class and speed department.
A Haskell track record is also in jeopardy Sunday. Rachel Alexandra is ready for another big effort, and she looks ready to deliver in smashing style at the shore. Bet Twice and Majestic Light hold the record for running the fastest Haskell, both stopping the clock in 1:47.00 flat. Rachel Alexandra stands a chance to eclipse that mark. This Haskell has the elements to be one for the books, with two fast thoroughbreds ready to do battle. One looking to continue on the path towards greatness, the other looking to solidify his credentials as one of the best 3-year-olds in the land. The largest crowd to ever see the Haskell was in 2003, when A crowd of 53,638 showed up to see Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes Hero Funny Cide run behind Peace Rules, that record is also in jeopardy as well.
If Rachel Alexandra comes out of the Haskell in order, and fit, it could set up a mega matchup between Quality Road in Rachel Alexandra in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Quality Road was ThoroughbredZone’s #1 ranked Kentucky Derby horse for much of the spring. What a race that would be!
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The Matchmaker – A competitive field has assembled here for this Grade III event. Rutherienne will run at Saratoga instead. Horses that look good to use are Princess Haya will make her stakes debut on grass. She ran away in her last race, and a repeat of that makes her a threat here. Meadow Saffron was a gate to wire winner last out and won over the Keeneland turf course back in April. American Border who continues to excel under the care of Jason Servis. Three wins over the Monmouth Course and a GIII winner last year. Captains Lover will be making her third start off the layoff, ran fifth in the Just A Game to Diamondrella and is cycling towards a top effort. Closeout shipping in from Churchill Downs for Thomas Proctor will be making her third start off the layoff and has back class. A soft course would aid her chances. Social Queen a four-time winner over the Monmouth course and Alan Goldberg could very well have her ready for a big effort. She is a multiple Grade III winner. Ariege is a Grade I winner and will break from the far outside post position. She also has class and is a threat for top honors.
The Lady’s Secret - This race starts a Pick 3. This is a tough race. Main Starr ships in for a high win percentage barn. She has been working very well and makes her third start off a layoff, must be respected. Tammy’s Victory is one that I was not going to use, but shippers always garner my respect. Sports two nice works for this, will sit a stalking trip. Devil House will be making her first start since April for the hot as always Bruce Levine. Solid works dating back to May. Should be a pace factor for sure. Spritley is cross-entered at Saratoga on Sunday. She will likely be one of the favorites if she runs here. She is another who sports good tactical speed. Ask the Moon for the dangerous Ned Allard is coming in off a win over a sloppy strip in the Lighthouse Stakes back in June. Working well for this spot, and should run a good race in an attempt for some black type in this spot. Jasmine Garden was a big runaway winner last time out over this surface. She will be making her fourth start off the layoff, and another horse that must be respected in this field. Talkin About Love, the New Jersey bred might have lost a step since last year. She is an earner of over $500,000. She has back class and looks set for a good effort here for Kevin Sleeter. Luna Vega is also cross-entered at Saratoga. If she does run here, she fits in and must be respected coming off a big win in a $32,000 optional claimer on June 25. She could also be the favorite. The scratch of either or both Spritley and Luna Vega will reduce the cost of any ticket.
The Oceanport – Get Serious is serious threat to go all the way again here. Get Serious is coming off setting back-to-back Monmouth Park turf course records for a mile. He drew post position 1 and that is an ideal spot for him. Get Serious will be singled here in the Pick 4 and will look to go gate to wire again here with his powerful front running gambit. A firm turf course will aid his chances, a softer course will not be to his benefit. If a Pick 3 is played, spread here with Pleasant Strike, Tizdejavu, Kiss The Kid, Radical Sabbatical and the probable favorite Proudinsky.
The Haskell – We will single Rachel Alexandra here. The key to the ticket is, if a price or two can win the earlier legs.
50 Cent Haskell Guaranteed $250,000 Pick 4 Play
1,2,3,4,6,7,9 / 1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 / 1 / 6 $28
Or
Pick 3 Play
1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 / 1,3,4,5,6,7 / 6 $48
Haskell Preview and Pick: Rachel Alexandra Ready To Win…
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Stevie Belmont
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