Gemologist to start in Haskell

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Oceanport, NJ (Sports Network) - Heading into the 45th running of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park this Sunday, there was speculation as to the quality of the field. The top two three-year-olds in training, Union Rags and Bodemeister, had both been withdrawn due to injury or illness.

Wednesday morning the $1 million stakes got a boost with the announcement that Wood Memorial winner Gemologist will start in the 1 1/8 mile race. The colt has been stabled at Saratoga this summer and was believed to be set for Saturday's Jim Dandy Stakes there.

Elliott Walden, President/CEO and Racing Manager for owner WinStar Farm, confirmed Wednesday morning that Gemologist will ship south to Monmouth Park for the Haskell. The colt will attempt to join WinStar's previous two winners of the Haskell, Bluegrass Cat (2006) and Any Given Saturday (2007).

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Gemologist has not started since his 16th place finish in the Kentucky Derby on May 5, his lone loss. A winner of his first five career starts, the colt has banked $784,855.