Haskell Invit.

The highlight of the Thoroughbred racing season in New Jersey will occur on
Sunday when eight three-year-olds line up for the $1 million Haskell
Invitational H. (G1) at Monmouth Park. ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) easily
rates our top choice off his impressive last-to-first victory over subsequent
Jim Dandy S. (G2) winner Flower Alley (Distorted Humor) in the Dwyer S. (G2) on July
4 at Belmont Park.

Last year, Roman Ruler captured the Best Pal S. (G2) and Norfolk S. (G2)
before being sent forth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) where
he ran into a world of traffic before finishing a close fifth. The Bob Baffert
trainee was plagued with foot problems earlier this year and was essentially
eased in the San Felipe S. (G2) in his seasonal debut. Roman Ruler returned to
action in the Dwyer, stalking the pace from the outside while in hand before
outgaming Flower Alley by a half-length while running the 1 1/16-mile distance
in 1:40 4/5. “He’s doing really well right now and he looks like he’s coming
back to his brilliant juvenile form,” Baffert said. “The Dwyer was a really nice
race, and he’s doing better now than he was before that race.”

Futurity S. (G2) winner PARK AVENUE BALL (Citidancer) exits a 6 1/4-length
romp in the 1 1/16-mile Long Branch Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) on July 16. The
Jim Ryerson trainee has won three of four starts over this surface. His only
loss at the seaside track was a closed second in last year’s Sapling S. (G3).
With plenty of speed present, he figures to offer a rally from just off the
pace and should factor for a share.

Trainer Nick Zito will saddle SUN KING (Charismatic), the front-running
winner of the 1 1/16-mile Leonard Richards S. (G3) at Delaware Park in his last
start. The one-time Kentucky Derby (G1) contender seemingly does his best
running from on or near the lead but could be compromised by fast early
fractions here. Nonetheless, Sun King fits well with this group and must be
respected.

PALLADIO (Lycius) went last-to-first in the nine-furlong Victoria Park S. at
Woodbine, then captured the nine-furlong Ohio Derby (G2) from off the pace last
out. The bay has shown consistent improvement this season and rates our sleeper
for the exotics. The Patrick Biancone-trained CHEKHOV (Pulpit), a $3.3 million
juvenile purchase, finished a non-threatening second to Park Avenue Ball in the
Long Branch and, at 6-1 on the morning line, he has the look of an underlay.

GOLDEN MAN (Suave Prospect) finished a nose behind Chekhov in the Long Branch
then returned the following day to run second to Sun King in the Leonard
Richards. That kind of move is rarely seen in modern-day racing and it is
remarkable he defeated the highly regarded, odds-on favorite High Limit (Maria’s
Mon) in the latter. He could earn a part at large odds for conditioner Richard Dutrow.

The speedy JOEY P. (Close Up) will likely set or force the early pace, but
weakened late in his first start around two turns last out, and would appear
unlikely to get this distance. Like Park Avenue Ball, he was bred in New Jersey,
and it has been 25 years since a horse from the Garden State won the Haskell
(Thanks to Tony, 1980). PAPI CHULLO (Comeonmom) broke his maiden at Belmont Park
with a dramatic burst of speed in the shadow of the wire last out. He faces a
tough task with these.