Momouth Park’s Biggest Day with the 2018 Haskell Invitational and Sports Betting

by Fairway Jay

The 2018 Haskell Invitational is a summer staple, and Sunday’s showdown at “The Shore's Greatest Stretch” has drawn a field of seven 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park. Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic and Preakness runner-up Bravazo are the headliners for the $1 million 1 1/8 mile Grade 1 race, but sports betting is a big draw at the track this weekend with legal sports betting now offered trackside as well at the William Hill sports book.

Dennis Drazin, president and CEO of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park, says sports betting has solidified Monmouth Park’s future. “The early successes in sports betting have been dramatic, overwhelming and everything we had hoped for,” Drazin said Thursday at a track press conference.

The 51^st edition of Monmouth’s signature race added some Jersey flavor with recent Grade III winner and jersey-bred Golden Brown added to the field. The 14-race card on Sunday should bring in added handle with sports bettors on hand willing to bet the horses, especially a big race like the 2018 Haskell, which is also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series. The winner of the race receives an automatic spot and fees paid entry to the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

Favorites have fared very well in the history of the Haskell, as the race favorite has won 24 times (48%) in its 50-race history. Last year, 9-1 shot Girvin was a surprise winner by a nose.

Join the action for the biggest day of racing at the Jersey Shore, where Haskell winners have gone on to win 3-year-old championship honors 10 times. That won’t happen this year with Triple Crown winner Justify missing the 2018 Haskell due to injury, but the Haskell Day is still a big draw, especially with sports betting now a big hit in New Jersey.

Following Thursday’s post-position draw, here are the morning line odds of the horses running in the “War on the Shore” - $1 Million Haskell Invitational on Sunday, July 29.

2018 Haskell Invitational 1 – Lone Sailor (5-1) 2 – Navy Commander (12-1) 3 – Roming Union (10-1) 4 – Core Beliefs (4-1) 5 – Bravazo (3-1) 6 – Good Magic (6-5) 7 – Golden Brown (15-1)