OCEANPORT, N.J. -- Bayern won the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday at Monmouth Park, extending trainer Bob Baffert's record for victories in the 3-year-old stakes to seven.
Bayern was the dominant front-running winner, pulling away by 7 1/4 lengths over Albano.
"I didn't think he'd do anything as devastating as that," said Baffert by phone after watching the race from California. "It looks like he has it all together now."
Martin Garcia was aboard for his third Haskell, all mounts for Baffert.
"We were going to the lead," Garcia said. "There was no Plan B."
The filly Untapable, facing the boys for the first time, was a disappointing fifth as the 7-5 favorite of the crowd of 35,093.
Jockey Rosie Napravnik felt Untapable became unsettled before the start when Social Inclusion in the adjoining stall acted up.
"She got a little fussy, and she didn't get away well," Napravnik said. "She ran a hell of a race, and she ran as hard as she could."
The time was 1:47.82 for 1 1/8 miles on the fast track.
Bayern paid $11.40, $7.20 and $5. Albano returned $10.80 and $6.60, and Wildcat Red paid $5.40 to show.
Bayern, named for the German soccer team, won for the fourth time in seven starts, earning $600,000 for Kaleem Shah Inc. Bayern finished third as beaten favorite in the Grade 1 $1 million Arkansas Derby April 12 at Oaklawn Park and placed ninth in the Preakness but won the Grade 2 Woody Stephens June 7 at Belmont Park on the Belmont Stakes undercard.
Bayern was in charge from the start as Garcia skillfully rationed out his speed through moderate fractions. When the closers tried to narrow the gap on the final turn, Bayern had plenty left.
"We were hoping someone would challenge the leader early and that didn't happen," said Larry Jones, trainer of Albano. "The winner was so impressive we could have gone around 25 more times and we still we're going to get him."
Irish You Well was fourth followed by Untapable, Just Call Kenny, Social Inclusion, Encryption and Medal Count.
Bayern earned a free shot at the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita, his home track. Haskell was a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge stakes. As an added reward, the $100,000 entry fee to the Classic is now waived.
Sports on 07/28/2014