Monarchos, winner of the Kentucky Derby and the only other horse who would fit Monmouth's criteria for boosting the race purse, was not invited to the Haskell because he is out of training until later this year due to an injury.
Monmouth Park will hike the purse for this year's Haskell Invitational by an additional $500,000 if Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Point Given runs in the Aug. 5 race at the New Jersey track.In addition to Point Given, the 21 invitees to the race for 3-year-olds includes Preakness and Belmont runner-up A. P. Valentine; Kentucky Derby runner-up Invisible Ink; and Congaree, recent winner of the Swaps who finished third in the Derby and Preakness.For the past four years, the Haskell purse has been $1-million. "We will add an extra $500,000 to the purse if a winner of one of the Triple Crown races participates," said Bob Kulina, vice president of racing at Monmouth Park. "Point Given won two legs of the Triple Crown and if he runs, the purse will be $1.5 million."
