Race Profile – Haskell Invitational

Haskell Invitational is a “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Prep Race to the Classic

The Haskell Invitational was inaugurated in 1968 and is a 1 1/8 mile Grade 1 race run the end of July at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. The race earned the nickname “War on the Shore” with the track just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and is named in honor of Armory Haskell, who got the pari-mutuel laws in New Jersey changed to permit wagering on horse racing. Haskell raised the money to build Monmouth Park, which opened in 1946, and he served as the President of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club until his death in 1966.

Since 1997, the race has maintained a purse of $1 million, and the race has grown in importance and interest to become the single biggest day of racing at the Jersey Shore. In 1981, the race was made an invitation-only stakes for 3-year-olds and has been run under allowance weight conditions since 2006. It remains a major race for 3-year-olds held between the U.S. Triple Crown series and the Breeders’ Cup.

The “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series awards the Haskell Invitational winner automatic entry and a fees-paid berth to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup World Championships are at Churchill Downs Nov. 2-3, and the Breeders’ Cup provides a $40,000 (U.S.) travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won the race a record eight times between 2001 and 2015. The fastest winning time in the race is held by two horses that each won in 1:47.00, Bet Twice (1987) and Majestic Light (1976). Verrazano owns the record for largest win margin with his 9 3/4 length victory in the 2013 edition of the race.

The Haskell Invitational has seen the race favorite win 48% of its races and the race has been decided by a nose three times including in 2017 when 9-1 shot Girvin prevailed.

Haskell Invitational winners have gone on to win 3-year-old division championship honors 10 times. Some of those and other notable winners include: Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh* (2015), Lookin At Lucky (2010), Rachel Alexandra* (2009), Big Brown (2008), War Emblem (2002), Point Given* (2001), Skip Away* (1996), Serena’s Song (1995), Holy Bull* 1994), Forty Niner (1988) and Bet Twice (1987). In addition, those Haskell winners and horses with an * also claimed Horse of the Year honors along with other Haskell Invitational runners that did not win the race, Alysheba, Curlin and Spend a Buck.

Haskell Day is the biggest day at Monmouth Park, and the 2018 edition takes on added significance as July 29 is the biggest moment and most important Haskell Invitational ever. It’s even bigger that the 2015 Haskell Invitational that drew a record crowd of more than 60,000 fans to Monmouth Park to watch Triple Crown winner American Pharoah win the Haskell.

While the rich history will always be a part of the tracks legacy, the 2018 edition will shape and secure a brighter future thanks to the newest offering of legal sports betting in New Jersey and specifically Monmouth Park. William Hill operates the legal sports book Monmouth Park, and if the track is able to obtain approval from the state Racing Commission and Division of Gaming Enforcement to offer parlay wagers combining horse racing and sporting events, then Monmouth Park is likely to draw additional people to the track. That will lead to more wagering and money bet on both horse racing and sports which could lead to added racing days and increased purses in the future. The Haskell Invitational could see a purse bump above $1 million in the near future.