The $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) features the best 3-year-olds on the east coast going 1 1/8 miles, and is the highlight of the Monmouth Park racing season. 45,132 were on hand in Oceanport, New Jersey to see Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown make his first start since he was eased in the Belmont Stakes, sending him off as the heavy 1-5 choice in the field of seven. Spend a Buck Stakes winner Cool Coal Man was the 6-1 second choice over Long Branch runner up Atoned, the 8-1 third choice.
Big Brown was quickest out of the gate but Coal Play quickly got in front of him and over to the rail to set the pace, getting fractions of 23.05, 46.59, and 1:10.85 under jockey Joe Bravo. Big Brown stalked the pace 1 1/2 lengths behind and 2 or 3 paths off the rail. At the quarter pole, Bravo asked Coal Play to open up and he did, pulling 2 lengths ahead of the IEAH colorbearer with a furlong remaining, getting the mile in 1:35.20. Desormeaux went to the whip and Big Brown responded, finally getting into gear and passing the pacesetter at the 1/16 pole to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:48.31 over the fast main track. It was a long 4 1/4 lengths back to late-running Cool Coal Man third.
On to the undercard stakes - there were 7 other stakes races on Haskell day.
