Stakes Plays for 2019 Haskell Invitational Day at Monmouth Park

A total of six stakes races, five of which are graded, highlight a blockbuster card at Monmouth Park on Saturday. The $1 million Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) is the headliner and attracted a fine field of seven sophomores. Below are some of my thoughts on the big races on the day. Race 5 – Oceanport Stakes (G3) A field of six will go poswtard in the 1 1/16-mile turf event. In a race with little to no pace in the field, PROJECTED (#4) (2-1) figures to get the jump on his main foes turning for home. Chad Brown charge was a head second in the Cliff Hanger Stakes on the course two prior and will benefit from having local ace Joe Bravo in the controls. Race 8 – Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) An octet of fillies and mares will contest the 1 1/16-mile affair on the main oval. It will be tough for any in the field to topple the sensational Midnight Bisou (#3) (3-5) if she runs her best, but I am looking for COSMIC BURST (#7) (10-1) to make some noise from off the pace. The Donnie Von Hemel pupil has raced her way back into shape in 2019, and her recent allowance third at Churchill Downs while five wide was a great prep for this affair. Race 9 – Wolf Hill Stakes A field of eight will dash 5 1/2 panels on the grass in a competitive contest. TRICKS TO DOO (#5) (5-2) was in a bit deep against Grade 1 foes at Woodbine last time and fits much better on this occasion. Arnaud Delacour pupil is both classy and versatile, and the son of Into Mischief figures to get an ideal pace-pressing trip under Trevor McCarthy. He is my top selection on the entire card. Race 10 – Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) Godolphin Mile (G2) star Coal Front (#3) (8-5) headlines the nine-furlong test, but he is no sure thing in his first attempt at 1 1/8 miles. Arnaud Delacour’s LEMONADE THURSDAY (#2) (9-2) was super impressive in an allowance win on the course in his four-year-old debut. Lemon Drop Kid colt smoked a bullet in the interim and is one who will thrive with the added ground here. Race 11 – Matchmaker Stakes (G3) Grassy affair attracted a talented field of seven fillies and mares. The infatuation with Arnaud Delacour runners on the card continues with I’M SO FANCY (#2) (9-2). Five-year-old bay was super impressive in a going away stakes triumph in her second U.S. offering at Laurel Park most recently. The Group 3-winning mare is tactical and could get first run on the pacesetter in early stretch. Race 12 – Haskell Invitational (G1) Grade 1 hero MAXIMUM SECURITY (#7) (8-5) nearly blew the start but still recovered to run a fine second in the Pegasus Stakes in his first assignment since early May. New Year’s Day colt gets an ideal draw outside of his foes, and the stretch-out to 1 1/8 miles will benefit him as much as any runner in the field. Kentucky-bred will vault back to the top of his vision following the Haskell. PHOTO: Haskell contender Maximum Security gallops at Monmouth Park on Wednesday morning July 17,2019, with exercise rider Alvaro Tomas aboard (c) EQUI-PHOTO/Bill Denver