[naresh8055]

The upcoming Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in New Jersey is making the news for a couple of reasons this week. Firstly, Resorts Casino of Atlantic City and Monmouth Park announced that Resorts would become the main sponsor of the July 31st race. The name of the race will also slightly change to the Resorts Haskell Invitational.

Ultimately there is more to this arrangement than meets the eye as New York mega mogul Morris Bailey owns Resorts Casino and is the new leaseholder at Monmouth Park. Bailey has made it clear that he is committed to racing in New Jersey and the new sponsorship deal puts paid to that. The timing could also not be better as this year will mark the first year that the New Jersey government will not financially subsidize the struggling horse racing industry.

The second item of news concerning the Haskell is that there will be most likely two Triple Crown champions competing for the winner’s share of the 1,000,000 dollar purse. Belmont champion Ruler On Ice has now been confirmed to run in the Haskell along with talented stable mate Pants On Fire. “Fire and Ice” as they now have been dubbed are very comfortable at Monmouth and are training there already.

However it is the strong possibility of Preakness champion Shackleford entering the Haskell that is causing the most excitement. Shackleford, along with third place Preakness finisher Astrology, is expected to take the field at Monmouth on July 31st. A rematch of Triple Crown champions would be a great story and go a long way to highlighting racing in the Garden State.

[orioles]

Shackleford is perfectly suited to Monmouth.

[str]

Shackleford is perfectly suited to Monmouth.

He sure is.

[Thunder Gulch]

They needed a sponsor to keep enough purse money and the G1 tag. Good for all.