Derby, Preakness champs on top of Haskell field

 OCEANPORT, N.J. --- The Haskell Invitational never had it so good.

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"This," says a beaming Monmouth Park general manager Bob Kulina, "is the deepest field we've ever had."

No doubt, the $1 million Haskell not only helps kick off the second season for 3-year-olds after the grueling Triple Crown campaign, but today's winner also becomes the leader in thoroughbred racing's most popular division.

The star-studded field includes Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver; Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky; and the runner-ups from each race, Ice Box in the Derby and First Dude in the Preakness.

Add rising star Trappe Shot, improving Afleet Again and Uptowncharlybrown, and the usual long shot in Our Dark Knight, and racing fans would be hard-pressed to find a comparable field.

"When you have the main players in a big race like this, that's so important in our industry," says Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer of Lookin At Lucky. "This is always a very exciting race, and it's never won by a bad horse."

The other leading 3-year-old, Belmont winner Drosselmeyer, is sidelined for the year with an ankle injury.

Baffert is pumped for what has become his annual trek from California to the Jersey Shore. Lookin At Lucky was the lukewarm 5-2 morning-line favorite as Baffert seeks a record fourth Haskell victory.

"I think they should have a huge crowd with the caliber of horses they have gathered up for this race," Baffert says. "I've always had a lot of success there, and I like going back to where we've had a lot of success."

The field for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell is so tough that the Derby winner is just the co-second choice.

After winning the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs, Super Saver, with Calvin Borel aboard, finished eighth in the Preakness after tiring in the stretch at Pimlico.

The Haskell, though, is a chance for Super Saver to reassert himself.

Trainer Todd Pletcher says he believes Super Saver is well-rested and ready to go. The colt worked five furlongs in 1:00.77 at Saratoga earlier in the week.

"He's put on weight, he's bigger and stronger and looks in great form," Pletcher says. "He's been calm and relaxed and on his toes when he needs to be."

On Thursday, Baffert's confidence was shaken when Lookin At Lucky drew the No. 1 post position. Last time that happened was the Derby, when the bay colt was roughed up by other horses twice, nearly went down once, and finished sixth as the favorite.

In the Preakness, Lookin At Lucky drew lucky No. 7, had jockey Martin Garcia replacing Garrett Gomez, and enjoyed a perfect trip in his three-quarter-length victory.

"His biggest problem in races is the draw," Baffert says of his 2-year-old champion who has seven wins in 10 starts for owners Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman. "He's the most poorly drawn horse I've ever had. Sometimes he overcomes it, and sometimes he doesn't."

Nonetheless, Baffert says he is eager for the gates to open, especially after his colt posted a five-furlong workout in a blazing 58.60 seconds at Del Mar to start the week.

"He's a gritty little horse, and he looks great," Baffert says. "He looks like he's in the zone. I'm looking for a big race, and if he gets a clean trip, he'll get the job done."

The rest of the field can hardly be dismissed.

Trappe Shot is the 3-1 co-second choice with Super Saver, despite never having competed in a graded stakes.

The colt trained by Kiaran McLaughlin comes into the Haskell on a four-race winning streak, including a 2 1/2-length win in the Long Branch on July 10 at Monmouth.

"We know he likes the track, and he should handle the distance, but the competition is different," McLaughlin says. "There are a few proven horses in there. Whoever wins will move to the head of the 3-year-old class."