New Jersey-bred Irish War Cry (Curlin) drew the rail for his first start in his home state and is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in Sunday's GI betfair.com Haskell Invitational S. at Monmouth Park. Winner of the GII Wood Memorial S. Presented by NYRA Bets and GII Lambholm South Holy Bull S. earlier this term, the 'TDN Rising Star' was 10th in the GI Kentucky Derby May 6, but rebounded to be a game second in the GI Belmont S. last time June 10. Irish War Cry will carry the silks of Isabelle de Tomaso, whose father was Amory Haskell–Monmouth Park's former president for whom the Jersey Shore oval's signature race is named. “Yeah, no pressure, right?” quipped Irish War Cry's trainer Graham Motion by phone after the draw. “We're very excited to be here. The Haskell was always our goal for the summer with Irish War Cry.” Fellow 'Rising Star' Timeline (Hard Spun), the dominant winner of the local GIII betfair.com Pegasus S. June 18, is the 3-1 second choice on Brad Thomas's morning line and drew post three in the field of seven.
The full field is as follows:
- Irish War Cry (Curlin) 5-2
- Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) 5-1
- Timeline (Hard Spun) 3-1
- Practical Joke (Into Mischief) 4-1
- McCraken (Ghostzapper) 9-2
- Hence (Street Boss) 12-1
- Girvin (Tale of Ekati) 6-1
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