Haskell to go national on ABC

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Oceanport, NJ (Sports Network) - One year after the filly Rachel Alexandra made history by winning the $1 million Haskell Invitational, Monmouth Park announced that the race will be televised on ABC.

"This is a terrific opportunity to grow the Haskell on a national stage," said Bill Knauf, assistant vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park. "Airing the Haskell on ABC will ensure a greater audience to showcase North America's richest invitational race, and historic Monmouth Park as well."

The Haskell is the track's premier race and will be held Sunday, August 1. The ABC telecast will be from 5 to 6 p.m (et).

"The Haskell has clearly stamped itself as the next logical step following the Triple Crown," Knauf said. "Adding the national broadcast is just one more step forward as Monmouth prepares to offer the highest purses in the nation during our Elite Summer Meet."

Run at a distance of 1 1/8-miles, the Haskell has attracted some of the best three-year-old thoroughbreds to ever run. Rachel Alexnadra was voted 2009 Horse of the Year in part because of her victory in the race.

In 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ Big Brown made his first start following a loss in the Belmont Stakes in the event. War Emblem, the 2002 Derby and Preakness winner, also won the Haskell after coming short in the Belmont Stakes.