haskell shmaskell

Monmouth Park's biggest race of the year is just about upon us. Yes, the Haskell Invitational is this Sunday, so hit the ATM and gear up for some funny tote board action and perhaps the odd opportunity to make a few bucks thanks to misguided speculation from the masses. One of my favorite Haskells was a few years back when Funny Cide, who absolutely had zero chance in the race, took all sorts of money and ran third to Peace Rules and Sky Mesa. The exacta was an unreal $28 with the only two horses that figured (and, really, Peace Rules was a lock over that track on the day). I only bring it up because Curlin reminds me a bit of Sky Mesa in that you kind of wonder how he'll handle the tighter turns at MP. He's a big dude and, sure, he's the deserving favorite, but he's got a few things to overcome. Obviously, the race is Any Given Saturday's to lose. You know that Pletcher is pulling out all of the stops for Sunday and Winstar Farm has the adds ready to roll for the next Bloodhorse magazine (Grade One winning son of Distorted Humor!). Anyway, his Jerome was good and he'll get first run on Curlin in all likelihood. My gut is that Hard Spun is done; between getting him as sharp as they did for the Derby and then messing around with him in the Belmont (the Preakness, by the way, is on Jones, not Pino - that horse was so sharp you knew he'd run off once shown daylight down the backside), I just don't like the signs with him. Besides, he'd be better on turf, but we'll likely never see it. Cable Boy is a Grade 3 horse, a very nice one at that. He'll be going straight to the front judging from his works leading up to the race. Imawildandcrazyguy can clunk up for a piece. Reata's Whatever is in for the parterre box for the owners (which I entirely support; we thought about entering both Nautical and Fortuna, inviting all of our friends and living it up to the tune of $50,000 in the boxes. I passed to save the $500 ship from Maryland, sorry.). Xchanger is another nice horse, but like Cable Boy, I have doubts about him at the distance. He did relax nicely in his last, so he might stand to sit a trip, but he's just not cut of the same cloth as Curlin, I'm afraid. And, yes, Curlin is a beast and gets a pass for the Belmont where he sat an inside trip (he wants to be outside), was coming back on quick rest from the Preakness and didn't really get the ideal pace scenario to gallop the filly (or is she?) into the ground. I just wonder if he'll take the turns, but it's more a curiosity than anything that will send me to the windows. I'm rooting against Curlin if only because I want his record light enough come year end that they're forced to run him as a 4yo. That would be fun to see. They can retire Any Given Saturday right after the race, no problem. Cable Boy, too - he can stand in NJ.

Just make a point to watch the tote board on the day. There should be a good amount of money in the pools and there's certain to be an opportunity or two to make a play. Sure, you'll tear up your tickets as the crowd cheers on Joe Bravo at 3/5 race after race, but you can put your head on the pillow Sunday night knowing that you played it the right way.