Oceanport, N.J. – A total of 29 invites have gone out for the $1 million Haskell Invitational, centerpiece of the racing season at Monmouth Park, to be renewed for the 45^th time on Sunday, July 29. 

            Headlining the group of 3-year-olds likely to contest the mile and an eighth Haskell is Bodemeister, winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.  The speedy son of Empire Maker is conditioned by Bob Baffert, who has captured a record five Haskells throughout his career, including the last two editions with Lookin at Lucky in 2010 and Coil last year. 

            Also likely for this year’s Haskell is Dullahan, victor of the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes and third in this year’s Kentucky Derby.  Dullahan is trained by Dale Romans, who finished second in last year’s Haskell with Shackleford. 

            In addition to the Grade 1 Haskell on July 29, that day’s racing card includes three other graded stakes:  $200,000 Grade 2 Molly Pitcher; $150,000 Grade 3 Oceanport; and, Grade 3 $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker.  The day also features the $100,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes, $100,000 Regret Stakes, $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes and $100,000 Majestic Light Stakes. 

            The entire list of invites, to date, for this year’s Haskell is: 

                        Alpha                                       Le Bernardin 

                        Atigun                                      Liaison 

                        Battle Hardened                       Macho Macho 

                        Blueskiesnrainbows                  My Adonis 

                        Bodemeister                             Neck ‘n Neck 

                        Cogito                                      Nonios 

                        Cozzetti                                    Paynter 

                        Dullahan                                   Prospective 

                        Easter Gift                                Rousing Sermon 

                        Fast Falcon                              Stealcase 

                        Gemologist                               Street Life 

                        Good Morning Diva                  Teeth of the Dog 

                        Handsome Mike                       Tiger Walk 

                        Hansen                                     Went the Day Well 

                        Holy Candy