How to play the $8,000 Place Payout on Haskell Day

With the cancellation of racing at Lone Star Park last weekend, there is now an $8,000 bonus in the TwinSpires Place Payout, which will be conducted on Sunday's 14-race Haskell Invitational (G1) program at Monmouth Park.

Opt in and wager $5 Place on a single horse or entry in all 14 races to split $1,000. Cash on at least five (5) races and split an additional $1,000. Cash on at least eight (8) races to split an additional $1,000, and cash on all 14 races to split an additional $5,000.

With the emphasis being on cashing tickets to be eligible for the additional splits, there is certainly no shame in applying your $5 on the occasional low-priced stickouts during the course of the contest, if they figure. Keeping that in mind, here's some horses of interest on the marathon program that begins at noon (EDT).

Race 1 -- Maiden

#8 RUMSON RALLY (8-1) was a decent third first out, but regressed last time after a troubled beginning. Has posted two bullet works this month and has some pedigree to take to the turf. He's by City Zip and both his dam and a half-sister were Grade 3-placed on the grass.

Race 7 -- Oceanport (G3)

#3 IRISH STRAIT (3-1) is a nose short from winning four straight over this course, including a 2 1/4-length score over #2 SYNCHRONY in the Red Bank (G3) in May 2017. Didn't need to be at his best to hang tough against Jersey-breds last time while conceding plenty of weight. Major threat for Graham Motion.

Race 9 -- Matchmaker (G3)

#8 SPECIAL EVENT (6-1) is lightly raced compared to the rest and has made great strides since hopping on the turf. Missed by a neck to multiple Grade 1 winner New Money Honey two back, and last time finished well against likely favorite #2 DREAM AWHILE in the Eatontown (G3). Figures to be in the mix again.

Race 11 -- Wolf Hill

#5 DUBINI (8-1) never got on track in the Parx Dash (G3) earlier this month, but rallied well in the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup two back and obviously loves this course with a three-for-three mark over it. Rebound potential.

Race 12 -- Haskell Invitational

As mentioned above, betting the heavy favorite that very much figures is worth doing for the purposes of this contest. Champion #6 GOOD MAGIC (6-5) looks like one of them as he's arguably the leading active three-year-old in the country following the retirement of Justify, to whom he ran second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and fourth in the Preakness (G1) in a tremendous and game effort.

Good luck!