Haskell looms for leading three-year-olds

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Oceanport, NJ (Sports Network) - All three horses that each won one of the Triple Crown races this year may well meet up in the $1 million Haskell Invitational this summer at Monmouth Park. In fact, Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford is a definite for the 1 1/8-mile race.

"The Haskell is our next goal," Shackleford's trainer Dale Romans told the Daily Racing Form.

Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice is stabled at Monmouth Park as part of trainer's Kelly Breen's stable.

"It's certainly a possibility," said Breen about running in the Haskell on July 31.

Kentucky Derby champ Animal Kingdom is owned by Team Valor, who's president is Barry Irwin.

"Our goal has been to run the colt where he would have the best chance to be voted an Eclipse Award," said Irwin. "I think we have to strongly consider the Haskell or the Travers because of how they figure to impact Eclipse Award balloting."

The last three winners of the Haskell have each been voted Eclipse Awards the same year as their race victory. Champion male three-year-olds Big Brown (2008) and Lookin At Lucky (2010), and 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra came home first.