Preakness Stakes (gr. I) victor Oxbow , Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Verrazano , and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up Golden Soul are among those likely to start in the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park July 28.
The 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds is also expected to attract grade I winner Power Broker for trainer Bob Baffert. The Hall of Fame conditioner is seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive Haskell win and his seventh victory overall with Power Broker, who easily captured the June 8 Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont Park and has a two-race win streak.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who sent out fellow Hall of Famer Serena’s Song to take 1995 Haskell, will be back with Oxbow. The son of Awesome Again comes into the Haskell off a runner-up effort in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 8. The Calumet Farm colt has earned $1,183,500 during his 12-race career.
Verrazano, who entered the Kentucky Derby a perfect 4-for-4, aims for the Haskell off an impressive front-running score in Monmouth's Pegasus Stakes (gr. III) for trainer Todd Pletcher June 16. The colt by More Than Ready has won five of his six starts, all with Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez in the irons.
Trainer Dallas Stewart would be represented by his first Haskell starter in Golden Soul. Charles Fipke's homebred was a hard-charging second to Orb in the Kentucky Derby and will be making his first start since running ninth in the Belmont Stakes.
Others considering the Haskell for their next start include Long Branch winner Micromanage , Swaps (gr. II) victor Chief Havoc, and Preakness third-place finisher Mylute.
A 14-race card is anticipated for Haskell Day, with gates opening at 10 a.m. EDT and first post at noon.
Oxbow is expected to make his next start in the Haskell.
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