Leading filly likely for Haskell

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Oceanport, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Five years ago, leading three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra took on the boys and won the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Now another top filly is also being considered for the 1 1/8-mile race versus colts on Sunday, July 27.

Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable is a probable starter for the Haskell and has the same trainer, Steve Asmussen, as the 2009 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Untapable is perfect in four starts this year by a combined 31 lengths. The filly won both the Rachel Alexandra and Mother Goose Stakes by better than nine lengths and also posted decisive victories in the Fair Grounds Oaks and Kentucky Oaks.

"There's definitely the thought of running her against the boys," said Asmussen after the Mother Goose at Belmont Park on June 28. "We're aware that (the Haskell) is there and the timing is excellent. It's nice to have a horse like her because you can consider races as good as these."

Coming in from Florida for the Haskell will be Fountain of Youth Stakes winner Wildcat Red. Trained by Jose Garoffalo, Wildcat Red won the Quality Road Stakes last month at Gulfstream Park and earlier in the year claimed the Hutcheson Stakes with a runner-up result in the Florida Derby.

Other 3-year-olds likely for the Haskell are Woody Stephens Stakes winner Bayern, Social Inclusion, third in the Preakness Stakes, Medal Count, third in the Belmont Stakes, along with Albano, Irish You Well and Just Call Kenny.