Mario Gutierrez to ride Handsome Mike in Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park
Doug F. O'Neill’s 3-year-old speedy colt, Handsome Mike, is heading to the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, where he will be ridden for the first time by Mario Gutierrez on Sunday, July 29th.
Gutierrez is very familiar to the track, but it will be Handsome Mike’s first appearance at Monmouth Park. The jockey has a fantastic track record with O’Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam, as he rode recently-retired, I’ll Have Another, to emphatic wins in
last year’s grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, Preakness Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby.
Expecting the veteran rider to do similar things with Handsome Mike, the connections have decided to partner them for the first time in Sunday’s big battle. Bred in Kentucky by John Liviakis, the 3-year-old has not raced since ending up fourth in the Grade
3 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes on March 24th.
The decision to run him in the Monmouth Park battle was made after his wonderful work at Betfair Hollywood Park, where he did six furlongs in a bullet 1:11 4/5 on July 21st.
"It was a great, great work. He’s fantastic. Handsome Mike is a very versatile colt. He’s got speed and he’s also got the ability to track if need be. I expect him to run very well. Both Mario and Handsome Mike are ready and raring to go. We are really looking
forward to this race at Monmouth," said O’Neill.
Another possible runner in the 45th edition of the Haskell is Gemologist, who was winner of the recent Grade 3 Iowa Derby. Owned by WinStar Farm LLC, the 3-year-old proved his fitness by travelling five furlongs in :58 2/5 at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday
morning.
Trainer Todd A. Pletcher was quite satisfied with his charge’s progress, saying that the colt was exceptionally good in his latest workout.
"He worked super. It was a very impressive work. He finished up great, galloped out well, and recovered quickly afterward. I think his conditioning is very, very good. I thought he breezed as well this morning as he’s ever breezed," the handler said of the
bay colt, who has been out of action since finishing 16th in the Kentucky Derby.
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