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HASKELL THEY SAID IT

JULY 29, 2010

Racing Secretary Mike Dempsey (left) and Stakes Coordinator Dan Dufford (right) before the Haskell draw (Bill Denver/Equi-Photo) "His name has jinxed him all his life with the draw. I can't believe how poorly this horse draws. He's the most poorly drawn horse I've ever had."  —trainer Bob Baffert bemoans the fact that LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) drew the rail in Sunday's Haskell Invitational (G1); the champion had also suffered from a rail draw in the Kentucky Derby (G1) "I think it's the toughest Haskell I've seen in all these years." —Baffert, who saddled Haskell winners Point Given (2001), War Emblem (2002) and Roman Ruler (2005), on the depth of the 2010 edition "He's training exceptionally well. During the freshening, he's put on weight and gained strength. His mental outlook is excellent."  —trainer Todd Pletcher on Kentucky Derby (G1) winner SUPER SAVER (Maria's Mon), last seen finishing eighth to 'Lucky in the Preakness S. (G1)

"He is the 'now' horse, and he's won four in a row. But he's never run against Grade 1 horses. We know he likes the track (when winning the Long Branch S.), and he should handle the distance. But the competition is different. There are a few proven horses in there."

—trainer Kiaran McLaughlin on TRAPPE SHOT (Tapit), who faces a trial by fire against the divisional leaders

"Whoever wins this race will move to the head of the three-year-old class."

—McLaughlin on the high stakes involved

"The Haskell's a great race, and this is the toughest Haskell I've seen. But I'm hoping for an honest pace, so my colt can come with his run like he always does." 

—trainer Nick Zito, whose prime contender is the late-running ICE BOX (Pulpit)

"He's an up-and-coming three-year-old and he's at the best I can get him right now. He impressed me in his last race (an allowance win at Monmouth on June 19). That was against older horses, and he was very professional." 

—Zito on his other Haskell entrant, OUR DARK KNIGHT (Medaglia d'Oro), who will likely force a fast pace

"He's training very well. He seems to have come out of the Triple Crown as good or better than he went in. He doesn't have to be on the lead, but if he breaks sharply, he'll be there. If someone wants to go, then he can sit off."

—trainer Dale Romans on FIRST DUDE (Stephen Got Even), runner-up in the Preakness and third in the Belmont S. (G1)

"It's a very tough race. The winner of the Haskell is going to put themselves at the top of the three-year-old class." 

—Romans reiterates the importance of the Haskell

"He's proven he likes this track, and all he has to do on raceday is walk out of his stall and over to the paddock. No shipping at all. It's a big advantage to train here." 

—trainer Robert (Butch) Reid Jr. on the locally-based AFLEET AGAIN (Afleet Alex), who exits a second in the Pegasus S. (G3) over the track

"Joe knows his way around this oval. He breezed this horse a couple of times before his last race, and he learned some things about him."

—Reid on the advantage of having 13-time Monmouth riding champion Joe Bravo aboard Afleet Again

More They Said It:

Breeders' Cup Saturday They Said It

Breeders' Cup Friday They Said It

Downs After Dark TSI

Travers TSI

Firecracker & Bashford Manor TSI

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