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Haskell Invitational 2014; Medal Count May Spoil the Party

Casey Laughter
On July 19, 2014

Haskell Invitational 2014; Medal Count May Spoil the Party: Medal Count is one of the three-year-olds who has not gotten a lot of credit this year. Before the Derby, he was first and second in two races within a week. That is unheard of with horses of the highest caliber, such as Medal Count. There is also talk he is not a dirt horse, as being by Dynaformer, a sire whose progeny has reined supreme primarily on turf, and in the latest trend, synthetics. Medal Count has recently received third place money in the Belmont Stakes, behind Tonalist and Commissioner, who are by exceptional sires Tapit and A.P. Indy.

Medal Count, pictured above, will take on a tough field including Untapable in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 27, 2014.
Photo: Susie Raisher, Coglianese/NYRA

Next Sunday, Medal Count will be running to receive his first Grade 1 victory. The 2014 Haskell has attracted all-star filly Untapable, whom will likely go off as the favorite. There is also the emerging star, Irish You Well, who finally broke his maiden in his 9th start. He recently landed a stakes win in the Long Branch over Encryption and Just Call Kenny. Another star in the race only beat one horse in the Kentucky Derby; Wildcat Red. He rebounded with a nice win in the Quality Road Stakes last out.

Why does Medal Count stand out, with a good chance to land a win in the Haskell? Because the Haskell is filled with speed! We will most likely see Albano, Wildcat Red, Untapable, and Social Inclusion bunch up in the beginning, creating a likely speed duel between two or more of these horses. With the splits likely to be ungodly fast, handicappers and excitable fans will most likely be looking for a closer to come and swoop the win in the final strides.

Is Medal Count the horse, or is a horse on the ride, like Irish You Well, one to come spoil the party for Untapable, or any of these other speedster? In my eyes, I think Medal Count’s time is now to become a grade one winner!

The G1 Haskell Invitational takes place at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 27, 2014 and is an official “Win and You’re In Race” for the Breeders’ Cup World Championship.