7/30/10 (Last updated: 7/29/10 6:41 PM)

'Lucky, Super Saver, aspiring stars clash in superb Haskell

Lookin at Lucky arrived at Monmouth as the 5-2 favorite on the morning line (Bill Denver/Equi-Photo)
Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) could be described as a summit meeting among the established stars of the sophomore division and a few aspiring to that status, but such a term would imply that they're coming together for dialogue and negotiation. Instead, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner SUPER SAVER (Maria's Mon), champion and Preakness S. (G1) victor LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike), Derby runner-up ICE BOX (Pulpit), Preakness runner-up FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even) and Long Branch S. hero TRAPPE SHOT (Tapit) are in an all-out battle for divisional leadership. As a result, the 1 1/8-mile clash at Monmouth could serve as a significant stepping stone to year-end honors.

Super Saver and Lookin at Lucky traded decisions in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, but each had viable excuses for his defeat. At Churchill, Lookin at Lucky had the misfortune of drawing the rail -- and last year's juvenile champion has landed in post 1 for the Haskell as well.

Badly hampered in a nightmarish opening furlong in the Derby, Lookin at Lucky lost virtually all chance before reaching the finish line for the first time. Nevertheless, the Bob Baffert colt regrouped enough to check in a commendable sixth behind Super Saver, who capitalized on a perfect trip engineered by Churchill maestro Calvin Borel. Furthermore, Super Saver was a true horse-for-the-course, as a stakes record-setting romper in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) last fall, and as a runner bred to relish the sloppy conditions prevailing on Derby Day.

The tables were turned two weeks later at Pimlico, when Super Saver regressed off his smashing effort in the Derby. The Todd Pletcher pupil wound up a thoroughly uncharacteristic eighth behind Lookin at Lucky, who enjoyed smooth sailing courtesy of new rider Martin Garcia.

Super Saver is out to uphold his Derby form (JB Faulconer/EquiSport Photos)
Both classic heroes have been freshened in advance of their rematch. Super Saver has gained weight over his holiday, and the WinStar Farm homebred has been training sharply as he seeks to avenge his Preakness loss. Borel will be back aboard the tactically speedy colt, who is well drawn in post 6.

In contrast, Lookin at Lucky had a slight hiccup when spiking a fever in late June, but he has been pleasing Baffert ever since. He has fired bullets in his last two works, including a sizzling five-furlong move in :58 3/5 at Del Mar on Monday. Garcia has the unenviable task of working out a decent trip from the rail.

Despite the post, Lookin at Lucky has been installed as the 5-2 favorite on the morning line, as he seeks to give Baffert a record fourth victory in the Haskell. Super Saver rates as the co-second choice with Trappe Shot at 3-1.

The respective Derby and Preakness runners-up, Ice Box and First Dude, likewise have some unfinished business to settle in the Haskell. Ice Box, the Florida Derby (G1) winner, had traffic trouble in the Derby, costing him valuable ground and momentum. The Nick Zito trainee was finishing fastest of all in deep stretch, but it was too late, and he crossed the wire 2 1/2 lengths adrift of Super Saver. With a clear shot, Ice Box would have gotten much closer. Ice Box skipped the Preakness and awaited the Belmont S. (G1), where he failed to do himself justice after displacing his palate and trudging home up the track in the sweltering heat.

Dual classic-placed First Dude is still seeking his first stakes win (Bill Denver/Equi-Photo)
Pegged at 9-2 in the Haskell, the deep closer figures to drop back early from post 3 with regular rider Jose Lezcano. Ice Box hopes to get an honest pace, and a clear shot at Super Saver. Zito has also entered OUR DARK KNIGHT (Medaglia d'Oro), a sharp allowance winner over the track last out and runner-up in the Spend a Buck S. here two back, who has the early foot to help set things up for Ice Box. Both Ice Box and Our Dark Knight are owned by Robert LaPenta. Elvis Trujillo will ride Our Dark Knight, who is drawn in post 5, just outside of pace factor First Dude.

The late-developing First Dude didn't garner enough graded earnings to make it into the Derby, but the massive bay performed honorably in the final two legs of the Triple Crown. From a very wide post in the Preakness, the Dale Romans charge hustled to the front, cleared the field, angled over to the rail, and set demanding fractions before yielding grudgingly to Lookin at Lucky late. With a less taxing pace scenario, First Dude might have been even tougher to outduel. First Dude loomed as the controlling speed in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, but he could not take advantage of his pedestrian fractions to close the deal. Overhauled by Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor), First Dude still fought on valiantly and just lost second in the last strides to Fly Down (Mineshaft).

Ramon Dominguez will again guide First Dude, listed at 6-1 on the morning line.

Trappe Shot is an impressive new shooter who will be facing his first serious test of class. Highly regarded by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, the $850,000 two-year-old-in-training purchase has captured all four of his starts this year. After drubbing Florida-breds by a combined 23 lengths in a maiden and allowance at Gulfstream over the winter, Trappe Shot powered to a four-length allowance score on Belmont Day, in a time faster than the seven-furlong Woody Stephens S. (G2) on the same card. He made a successful two-turn and stakes debut in the Long Branch S. at Monmouth, overcoming a less than ideal trip to kick clear and win in hand.

Trappe Shot will try to live up to his big reputation (Alyssa Spakowski/Equi-Photo)
Trappe Shot, who was buried on the inside for much of the Long Branch, projects a more straightforward passage this time. The chestnut is parked widest of all in post 8, allowing regular pilot Alan Garcia to keep him in the clear.
 

McLaughlin will also send out UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN (Limehouse), who has endured more than his fair share of hardship this campaign. He romped in his first two outings at Tampa for the late Alan Seewald, but ran greenly when third in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) in his first attempt at a route. Uptowncharlybrown never saw daylight en route to his fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), and tried to come from too far back when a rallying third in the Lexington S. (G2). He made his first start for McLaughlin in the Belmont, finishing a decent fifth, only to be disqualified for not carrying the correct weight. It transpired that he had lost his eight-pound lead pad along the backstretch, causing him to be demoted to last.

Because Seewald had always planned to aim the talented colt for the Haskell, an upset victory by Uptowncharlybrown would be poignant -- especially in view of the fact that he is owned by a local syndicate, Fantasy Lane Stable, comprising dozens of small investors. Rajiv Maragh has the return call.

Rounding out the eight-horse field is AFLEET AGAIN (Afleet Alex) from the Robert Reid Jr. barn. A 24-1 surprise winner in the Withers S. (G3), in which he exploited a pace meltdown, the gray has since placed in the local preps, the Spend a Buck and Pegasus S. (G3). Monmouth supremo Joe Bravo will again be in the saddle.