Contenders of the Haskell Invitational getting ready for the big day at Monmouth Park
The runners competing in the $1 Haskell Invitational are preparing for the Grade 1 event, which will be hosted at Monmouth Park on 29th July, 2012, which will cover a distance of 1 1/8 miles. The work-outs took place at the
Monmouth Park and the Saratoga Racecourse.
Gemologist and Stealcase were getting into practice at Saratoga. These two runners will be shipped to New Jersey on the morning of the race whereas Nonios, Dullahan, Paynter, and Handsome Mike were getting their game on at Monmouth Park.
The Jerry Hollendorfer trained, Nonios, did some light exercise after he arrived from Southern California via a flight. Everything seems in order with him as Christina Jelm, racing manager for owner G.B. Smith Jr. told the media that:
"He just went out and looked around and jogged to the paddock. He also stood in the gate and jogged home. What we did today was to set up tomorrow, when he will gallop a mile and a half."
The son of Pleasantly Perfect, foaled by mare Stylish Manner, recently finished as a runner-up in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes where he finished second to, Blueskiesnrainbows, over the 1 1/8 mile track.
Paynter, trained by Bob Baffert also made the trip from South California and seems to be in good shape. The Zayat Stables owned runner has not competed since finishing second to Union Rags in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes.
The sophomore was taken on an "easy gallop" with exercise rider Juan Pisaro. Baffert has won the Haskell Invitational five times, and this will be his sixth time if Paynter seizes the opportunity and lands the race.
Regarding Handsome Mike’s form, trainer Doug O’Neill looks optimistic as he stated to the press that:
"He went good. He is feeling really good and is a happy horse. He won't school today."
The J. Paul Reddam owned runner has not secured a victory since October, 2011, but he might avail this opportunity and score.
This season he competed and finished fourth in the in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes, and the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby where he stood 3rd and the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes where he finished in fourth.
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