2018 Haskell Invitational one-liners

Although only seven line up in today’s Haskell Invitational (G1), the $1 million contest at Monmouth Park should have a bearing on the state of the three-year-old division post-Justify. And aside from the allure of a Grade 1 on the resume, it also furnishes a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) as a “Win and You’re In” event.

So here’s the quick take for each contender, in post position order:

#1 LONE SAILOR, a nearly horse who’s just missed in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Ohio Derby (G3), is putting it together mentally but mustn’t get too far back on a typically speed-favoring circuit.

#2 NAVY COMMANDER scored a front-running coup in the Long Branch, a slowly run affair that probably doesn’t translate as well to this deeper spot.

#3 ROAMING UNION, caught by a neck in the Pegasus, has class questions, but the well-bred sophomore has won or placed in all three starts at this 1 1/8-mile trip.

#4 CORE BELIEFS has progressed from a third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) to a troubled second in the Peter Pan (G3) to a breakthrough despite a wide trip in the Ohio Derby and could find still more.

#5 BRAVAZO is hit-or-miss, but if he works out the right trip, he is dangerous, as his excellent second in the Preakness (G1). and prior victory in the Risen Star (G2) attest.

#6 GOOD MAGIC, the divisional leader pre-Justify as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion, deserves to regain his luster after a second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and battling fourth in the Preakness.

#7 GOLDEN BROWN goes turf-to-dirt following a career-best in the Kent (G3) but has something to prove at this level.

Good Magic photo courtesy Keeneland/Coady Photography