Arlington Million day stakes action kicks off in race number five at Arlington Park August 16 with the $75,000 Hatoof for three year-old fillies at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.
Because of the number of entrants, the Hatoof will be run in two divisions. The first division of the Hatoof (Race 5) features a field of ten including the 3/1 morning line favorite VV Goodnight for trainer Thomas Proctor. VV Goodnight, ridden by Julien Leparoux, finished fourth after a rough trip July 12 in an optional claiming race at Arlington Park. Prior to that effort, the daughter of Midnight Lute ran fifth in the Grade III Regret Stakes and fourth in the Edgewood Stakes – both at Churchill Downs. Given her late closing style and habit of settling for minor awards, bettors are likely to favor another filly by post time.
At 7/2 on the morning line, Share the Sugar could very well vie for the favorite’s role when the gates open. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Share the Sugar is two for four in her career, and finished sixth in the Regret after a slow beginning. Although she loses the services of Leparoux, Share the Sugar looks to have plenty of upside with Robby Albarado taking the mount.
After three consecutive wins sprinting at five furlongs on the turf, Mizzen Miss (5/1 ML) will stretch out for the first time for Bernard Flint who is 26% with that move. Mizzen Miss figures to get an easy early lead and is well bred for the challenge.
The field is set for the $1 million Haskell, where Nyquist will be trying to re-stake his claim as the top three-year-old in the country.
On Sunday at Monmouth Park, the featured race is the $300,000 United Nations Stakes. Scheduled to be run at a mile and three-eighths on the turf, the Grade 1 event has drawn a field of ten colts and geldings.
On Sunday at Monmouth Park, the featured race is the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes, a key prep race for the Haskell Invitational (G1). The Grade 3 event will be contested at a mile and a sixteenth and has drawn a field of seven three-year-olds.
With five grade 1 races and a grade 2, the undercard for the June 11 Belmont stakes could be the best single day of racing on the calendar outside of the Breeders’ Cup.
Haskell Invitational Picks for Monmouth Sunday
29 July 2016The field is set for the $1 million Haskell, where Nyquist will be trying to re-stake his claim as the top three-year-old in the country....
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