Good Magic leads trio of Kentucky Derby veterans in Haskell Invitational

Jul 30, 2018 Ed DeRosa/Brisnet.com

Champion Good Magic, the best of his generation until Justify arrived on the scene and swept the Triple Crown, could re-emerge as King of the Hill when he returns in the Haskell Invitational (G1) on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Good Magic, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) last year and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) this year, was last seen finishing second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and fourth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) —both behind Justify, who went on to win the Belmont Stakes (G1) but has since retired.

“He definitely had those two tough races back-to-back, and we gave him a little time off,” said trainer Chad Brown of the Derby, Preakness, and time off since. “He needed that to recharge his batteries.

“We had the Haskell in mind for him right after the Preakness. He’s been training well for it, [and] running off a layoff doesn’t bother him. The horse responded well from his time off and is doing great now; he’s ready to go back in the ring.”

A win in the Haskell would make Good Magic arguably the best three-year-old male in training and the likely Travers Stakes favorite. To win the War on the Shore, however, he’ll have to defeat a sextet that includes Kentucky Derby also rans Bravazo (sixth) and Lone Sailor (eighth) as well as Ohio Derby (G3) winner Core Beliefs.

Bravazo went on to finish second in the Preakness and sixth in the Belmont. He was the only three-year-old besides Justify to compete in all three races.

“This is the next logical spot—a major Grade 1 race—for three-year-olds, so if you’ve got a horse who is healthy and ready to run, this is the spot,” Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said of pointing Bravazo to the Haskell. “Not every horse makes it through the whole Triple Crown unscathed. He made all three races, [and] he’s actually getting better with maturity; I expect a very good effort from him.”

Lone Sailor returned from a fifth-place finish in the Preakness to finish second to Core Beliefs in the aforementioned Ohio Derby at Jack Thistledown.

“Lone Sailor was always a physically-imposing animal, but he was mentally immature,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “Lately it’s all been sinking in, and I feel we’ve turned the corner with him. There is legitimate speed in the race, and we know he will come from off the pace. I hope we’ll be able to make that finish a good one this time.”

Core Beliefs is the top so-called new shooter in the Haskell, coming off that Ohio Derby win. In the spring, he was no match for Justify and Bolt d’Oro when third in the Santa Anita Derby before shipping east and running second to Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Blended Citizen in the Peter Pan. Blended Citizen did not qualify for the Kentucky Derby for lack of points.

“My owner wants to come,” trainer Peter Eurton said of Gary Broad. “He says it’s the chance of a lifetime. He wants to take on [champion] Good Magic and the rest.”