Haskell Invitational Handicap

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The Haskell Invitational Handicap is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses that are three years old. This great stakes race takes place on dirt and is 1 1/8th miles in length, which is 9 furlongs.

The Haskell Invitational Handicap is run at Monmouth Park, which is on the New Jersey shore. It has a rocky history, but the trace and race have survived.

This invitation-only horse race started back in 1968. It honors former president and chairman of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club, Amory L. Haskell. Its name was switched to the Haskell Invitational Handicap in the 1980's.

The purse for the Haskell Invitational Handicap is $1 million, which is at the high end for your average Grade I stakes race. This major stakes race is run between the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup.

Last year Bluegrass Cat won the Haskell Invitational Handicap. You may be familiar with this horse. Bluegrass Cat placed 2nd in that year's Kentucky Derby.

Back in 2002, War Emblem won the Haskell Invitational Handicap. That was the year War Emblem was on a rampage. He not only won the Haskell Invitational Handicap, but he also won the Illinois Derby, the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes. War Emblem went for the Triple Crown, but disaster struck at the Belmont Stakes.

War Emblem stumbled badly out of the gate and he never made a showing in the race. People came from all over to see this former Haskell Invitational Handicap winner go for the Triple Crown. Belmont Park set an attendance record with 103,22 witnessing what ended up being the biggest upset in the history of the Belmont Stakes as 70-1 long shot Sarava crossed the wire first.