Bodemeister’s burning fever gives the spotlight glow of the Haskell Invitational to Hansen
The entries of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on 29th July, 2012 are falling short after Union Rags got withdrawn due to a tendon injury. The Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner had to let go off the chance, and the most celebrated entry for the race, Bodemeister, had to wave goodbye due to the spiky fever.
The trainer Bob Baffert commented: "(His fever) just happened, so I haven't had a chance to sit down and talk with the owners," Baffert said. "First we've got to get him back going, and then we'll look for something. It won't take long for him to get back because he's so fit."
The fever of Empire Maker’s three-year-old colt has not driven down the primary agenda that the trainer has set for the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner. By the end of the 2012 season he has to race in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park.
The highly probable favourite entry for the Haskell, who will stand at the WinStar Farm at the conclusion of his racing career, has ignited the chances of success for Tapit’s three-year-old colt out of mare, Stormy Sunday.
"We're perhaps a 60-70% chance to run at Monmouth,". "Even if Paynter runs that will not affect our decision. We're looking forward to meeting him. Hansen is sitting on his biggest win. He will be a monster in his next race”.
Bob Baffert has not withdrawn from the race completely, his representative, Paynter still holds an entry and is likely to put up a performance that will not disappoint the connections. He parked second to the Belmont Stakes winner, Union Rags.
It might just turn out to be the redemption race for the Kendall E. Hansen owned who lost the Grade 1 Blue Grass and then lost the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby before taking home the prize money of the Grade 3 Iowa Derby on 30th June, 2012 at Prairie Meadows over 1 1/16 miles on dirt.
To what extent will the Michael J. Maker trained exploit the chance of making the most out the Grade 1 event will surface soon.
After recovering from the fever what will be the target for the Zayat Stables owned has not been discussed among the connections yet.
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