For Monmouths crown jewel, the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational, trainer Kelly Breen has elected to throw his horses hat into the Haskell ring, as he recently announced that Encryption will join the Grade 1 battle. <\/p>\n
Were throwing him into the deep end, Breen said in a Monmouth Park press release. Hes going to run in the Haskell. As of right now, all systems are go. The horse is doing tremendous. I think we have a solid field of horses for the Haskell, but were going to go after them. <\/p>\n
With the addition of Encryption, the William Hill Haskell now boasts a likely field of nine impressive runners, including filly and winner of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Mother Goose (G1) Untapable, and Classic placed runners Social Inclusion and Medal Count. The rest of the Haskells probable field is Just Call Kenny, Albano, Irish You Well, Bayern and Wildcat Red. <\/p>\n
A 3-year-old colt by Exchange Rate out of the Bahri dam Mystic Soul, Encryption has made each of his four career starts at Monmouth Park and has hit the board in each. In his last race, the Long Branch Stakes on July 5, Encryption broke from the rail and ran a close third to fellow Haskell runners Irish You Well, the winner of the race, and Just Call Kenny. <\/p>\n
I think the post position cost us a little bit, said Breen, who is one of Monmouths top trainers. [Jockey Paco Lopez] felt as if we had to go. After the race he said, Id like to rate him a bit, and maybe it will be a good thing for him. Theres a lot of speed in the Haskell, so hopefully Paco is right. <\/p>\n
Lopez, who is currently Monmouth Parks leading jockey, will return aboard Encryption as he travels a mile and an eighth along Monmouths main track in the William Hill Haskell. <\/p>\n
Theres going to be plenty of speed in the race, Breen said. The horse coming up from Florida, [Wildcat Red], will have some speed. Id like to say that we can learn something from the Long Branch. Encryption has rated in the morning. It should be a pretty hot pace between Bayern, Untapable and Wildcat Red. Its a highly heated pace race, and if Paco is right and we have enough horse, well have a chance. <\/p>\n
A Stoneway Farm color-bearer, Encryption has not posted a published work since the Long Branch, and Breen said that there is not much left to do to prepare for the July 27 race. Most likely, hell open gallop tomorrow, Breen said. It wont be a public workout because itll be too slow. Itll just be a two-minute lick, and thats all were going to do before the Haskell. <\/p>\n
Breen, who lives in Howell, knows something about winning big races. He is a Triple Crown winner, having saddled 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler on Ice. <\/p>\n
The William Hill Haskell will be televised live on NBC and is part of the Breeders Cup Win and Youre In Series, with the victor getting an automatic berth to the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1. <\/p>\n
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