Haskell: Making His Own Luck

Monmouth Park’s Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr.1) on Sunday didn’t just provide one of the most impressive sophomore performances of the year, it more than likely became the crowning moment for Lookin At Lucky’s 3-year-old Male Championship run. The Smart Strike colt proved just how devastating he can be when given a clean trip, confident ride and clear sailing in the stretch.

Sent off as the favorite in the Haskell over Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and the talented Trappe Shot, Lookin At Lucky stumbled slightly coming out of the one hole at the break but immediately righted himself as jockey Martin Garcia guided his charge away from the rail to get a clear position on the outside. Up front First Dude charged to the fore, taking the lead from Our Dark Knight, with that colt glued to his flank down the backstretch and Super Saver just behind. Down the Backstretch Lookin At Lucky was pulling hard while racing in the clear just behind the leaders. Derby runner-up Ice Box trailed the field all the way through the backstretch and into the turn where the real running began. Entering the final turn Marin Garcia let Lookin At Lucky go and in a visually impressive move the colt bounded up to the leaders while at the same time Super Saver surged forward to take the lead by a nose. Thundering into the homestretch to the roar of more than 40,000 screaming fans, Lookin At Lucky and Super Saver moved in tandem and it appeared the two classic winners would make a fight of it while First Dude shook free of Our Dark Knight and charged on gamely. Into the stretch the picture changed in the blink of eye as with one cross of the reins from Garcia, Lookin At Lucky stormed to the lead, powering clear of the field by more than two lengths. Continuing down the stretch with Trappe Shot closing well from behind to seize the second spot while Super Saver and First Dude battled it out over third, Lookin At Lucky strode past the wire a four length winner. Against what many industry leaders were calling the deepest field in Haskell history, Lookin At Lucky did it all in a mere hand ride, striding down the stretch with ears pricked, handing the nation’s best colts a thrashing no one is soon to forget.

Lookin At Lucky is no ordinary colt to say the least, his Haskell win was beyond easy and dominant, it was the ultimate display of talent and proves that he never relinquished his position as the leader of his division since last year.

Trappe Shot proved his mettle in the Haskell and will most likely be making some noise for the rest of the year. Ice Box was the biggest disappointment of the Haskell field just as he was in the Belmont, finishing well behind the top four in 6th after failing to produce the devastating late-kick that earned him a Grade one victory and runner-up honors in the Kentucky Derby earlier in the year. First Dude once again proved that he is one of the toughest and most consistent colts in the country. With the determination and heart this horse throws on the line in his races you have to believe that his day to shine will come soon but for now, Lookin At Lucky reigns supreme and uncontested.

The Haskell is the no-doubt-about-it top story of the weekend, but three other races deserve mention here. Goldikova, one of Europe’s all time greatest racehorses continued her march in greatness as she once again captured the Prix Rothschild (Fr-I) in France for the third straight year. The win was the 10th grade/group 1 win for the incredible mare and with her eyes set on a record third Breeders’ Cup Mile attempt this fall, more amazing things look to be in store. She won the Rothschild with supreme ease after jockey Olivier Peslier sent his mount confidently after the frontrunners two furlongs from the wire. With her blindingly quick turn-of-foot Goldikova attained the lead in a matter of seconds and in a few more was three lengths clear of the field.

The Diana Handicap (gr.1) will enter the history books as one of the most exciting renewals in history with a finish

resulting in five mares across the track. Proviso won by a head to earn her third consecutive grade 1 race while a wall of four talented mares surged across the line behind her. Shared Account took second by a nose over a furiously late-rallying Forever Together who finished a head in front of Dynaslew with Maram just behind. This race was the definition of a thrilling race between some very classy fillies. Sadly champion Forever Together once again came up just short at the wire as the defending Diana after stumbling at the start.

Who saw Winslow Homer winning the Curlin Stakes? In a romp by nine lengths, Winslow Homer made an emphatic statement that he could be back to his old self. Earlier in the year Winslow Homer was a leading Kentucky Derby candidate after winning the Holy Bull Stakes (gr.3) but was sidelined by a stress fracture. The Curlin Stakes was his second start off his layoff and his sights could now be set on the Travers Stakes (gr.1).