OCEANPORT, NJ – Trainer Bob Baffert’s Authentic drew post 2 and was named the 4/5 morning line favorite as he tries to give his Hall of Fame conditioner his record ninth victory in Saturday’s $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Authentic began his career winning three straight starts, including the Sham Stakes (G3) and the San Felipe Stakes (G2). The Into Mischief colt suffered his first defeat in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), finishing second behind top colt Honor A. P. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, aboard Honor A. P. in the Santa Anita Derby, takes over the mount from Drayden Van Dyke.
Second on the morning line is the Todd Pletcher-trained Dr Post (5/2), who like Authentic exits a runner-up effort in a Grade 1 event. The Quality Road colt finished second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) one race after winning the Unbridled Stakes. With regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., staying put at Saratoga this summer, picking up the mount is “Jersey” Joe Bravo, who has been Monmouth Park’s leading rider 13 times.
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Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., sends Ny Traffic (7/2) in search of his first stakes score. The Cross Traffic colt has steadily improved with each 2020 start, finishing third in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and second in both the Louisiana Derby (G2) and the Matt Winn Stakes (G3). Paco Lopez rides for the second straight time.
The Haskell is a 1 1/8-mile dirt event for 3-year-olds that is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event for the Longines Classic. This year, the Haskell is also worth Kentucky Derby (G1) points to the top four finishers on a 100-40-20-10 basis.
Here is the full field of seven entries:
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr Post | Joe Bravo | Todd Pletcher | 5/2 |
| 2 | Authentic | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | 4/5 |
| 3 | Jesus' Team | Nik Juarez | Jose D'Angelo | 15/1 |
| 4 | Ancient Warrior | Trevor McCarthy | Jerry Hollendorfer | 20/1 |
| 5 | Fame to Famous | Jose Ferrer | John McAllen | 30/1 |
| 6 | Lebda | Alex Cintron | Claudio Gonzalez | 20/1 |
| 7 | Ny Traffic | Paco Lopez | Saffie Joseph, Jr. | 7/2 |
