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Haskell Stakes Draw: Authentic 4-5 Favorite in Field of 7

By US Racing Team

Once-beaten Authentic was made the 4-5 morning-line favorite in a field of seven entered for the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Authentic, who drew the No. 2 post and will be ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, is trained by eight-time Haskell winning trainer, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

Authentic – Photo Courtesy of Santa Anita Park

Winner of his first three starts and runner-up to Honor A.P. in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on June 6, Authentic will be racing outside California for the first time.

Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Dr Post, trained by Todd Pletcher, was made the 5-2 second during Wednesday’s post-position draw. Dr Post, with Joe Bravo getting the call, drew the No. 1 post for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell for 3-year-olds.

Ny Traffic, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., is the 7-2 third choice coming off second-place finishes in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in March and the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) in May.

Also entered are Jesus’ Team (15-1), Ancient Warrior (20-1), Fame to Famous (30-1), and Lebda (20-1).

For the first time, the Haskell is a Kentucky Derby (G1) points-qualifier offering 100-40-20-10 points to the first four finishers. The Derby has been rescheduled to Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, the Haskell is a “Win and You’re In’’ race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

Baffert’s eight Haskell winners: American Pharoah (2015),  Bayern (2014), Paynter (2012), Coli (2011), Lookin at Lucky (2010), Roman Ruler (2005), War Emblem (2002), and Point Given (2001).

Haskell Stakes Odds

Post Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
1 Dr Post Todd Pletcher Joe Bravo 5-2
2 Authentic Bob Baffert Mike Smith 4-5
3 Jesus’ Team Jose D’Angelo Nik Juarez 15-1
4 Ancient Warrior Jerry Hollendorfer Trevor McCarthy 20-1
5 Fame to Famous John P. McAllen Jose C. Ferrer 30-1
6 Lebda Claudio Gonzalez Alex Cintron 20-1
7 Ny Traffic Saffie Joseph, Jr. Paco Lopez 7-2
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