Filly takes spotlight in Haskell

With horse racing's 3-year-old filly championship virtually secured, Untapable pursues larger targets in the second half of the season.

Palice Malice and California Chrome appear frontrunners for Horse of the Year after strong first halves, but Untapable could enter the discussion with a victory today in the Grade 1 $1.5 million Haskell Invitational at New Jersey's Monmouth Park. Tapit's daughter, owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, takes on males after Grade 1 routs in the Kentucky Oaks and the Mother Goose by a total margin of more than 13 lengths.

Untapable, drawing post seven, is the 2-1 program favorite in the mile-and-an-eighth Haskell, which also drew last-out Grade 2 winner Bayern, recent Monmouth Grade 3 winner Albano and Triple Crown veterans Social Inclusion and Medal Count.

"With the performance she gave in the Kentucky Oaks and how she's trained since, we felt that this was the right time to give the Haskell a chance," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "We're very pleased that she could continue to give more of the same as far as just being a nice talented filly that's doing extremely well."

Rosie Napravnik regains the mount on Untapable, whom she rode in the Kentucky Oaks, after Hall of Famer John Velazquez subbed in the Mother Goose while Napravnik was recovering from an injury. Untapable can join Serena's Song (1995) and the Asmussen-trained Rachel Alexandra (2009) as filly winners of the Haskell, a prep for Saratoga's Grade 1 $1.25 million Travers Aug. 23.

Hall of Famer Gary Stevens won aboard Bayern last time out in the Woody Stephens on the Belmont Stakes undercard. With Stevens out for knee replacement surgery, Martin Garcia rides Bayern for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who seeks his seventh Haskell victory.

"The Haskell is basically an addition to the classics," Baffert said. "It's so important to win, and it's very exciting. I really enjoy when I have a horse that's good enough to run in the Haskell."

Social Inclusion finished third in the Preakness but was trounced by Bayern in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens after challenging at the head of the stretch. Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado rides for 85-year-old trainer Manny Azpurua.

Medal Count placed third in the mile-and-a-half Belmont, from which winner Tonalist returned to place second in Saturday's Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga. Robby Albarado has the mount.

"I thought he put in a really solid effort in the Belmont," Medal Count trainer Dale Romans said. "He showed he belongs with the best of them. He's always been a very good horse, and he's starting to just get better and better. He came out in great shape. It seems like nothing bothers him. He's just a good, solid racehorse."

Young Van Dyke escapes

injury in Del Mar spill

Apprentice jockey Drayden Van Dyke, a former Lake Hamilton High student, was one of three riders involved Friday in a Del Mar spill that resulted in a horse's death.

In the sixth race, a five-furlong sprint on the grass, Yes She's Unusual unseated jockey Brice Blanc on the far turn after sustaining a serious injury, later to be humanely euthanized. Van Dyke and Tyler Baze, aboard horses trailing Yes She's Unusual, were unseated while trying to avoid the mishap.

Blanc went to a local hospital for X-rays and examination. Van Dyke was replaced aboard his mount in the eighth race but was cleared to compete Saturday. Baze was cleared to ride his mount in Friday's Cougar II Handicap.

Van Dyke, 19, rode two winners opening day at the seaside track near San Diego. He began his first Del Mar season after leading the standings in the inaugural Los Alamitos thoroughbred meet. A former stablehand to trainer Tom Proctor, Van Dyke began riding professionally late last fall.

Sports on 07/27/2014

Upcoming Events