HASKELL Recap – Can Authentic Get the Derby Distance?

Haskell (G1)

In what was to be the face off between Authentic and Dr Post, it turned out to be a match race between Authentic and… Ny Traffic.  The latter foe was all in throughout, pressing Authentic through moderate fractions and began to get distanced with a furlong to go. As Mike Smith began wrapping up on Authentic, Ny Traffic dug in and came after him just missing the win by a nose at the wire in what turned into an unexpected nail-biter. 

This was Ny Traffic’s Kentucky Derby. Connections were all in to win this and their colt left nothing on the table in trying to close the deal. He’ll need the 7 weeks of rest until the Kentucky Derby to recover from this very demanding and energy-depleting effort. 

Questions continue to arise as to Authentic’s ability to get the 1 ¼ distance. However, the Super Screener is less concerned about stamina and more dismayed with the colt’s lack of focus. He gets too distracted too easily and what is going to happen when you go from no one in the stands to a noisy and distraction-filled Kentucky Derby scene?  That’s the far bigger concern as the running line  from the Haskell highlighted in green indicates he can get more ground:

Do note that had Mike Smith not wrapped up on this colt with a furlong to go, that Late Pace figure could have easily been 100 – which means he would have submitted triple digit figures from mid-pace to finish. That is definitely Kentucky Derby material, so don’t be too quick to dismiss this colt.

Matchmaker (G3)

The Super Super Screener’s Top Board Hitter pick and 2^nd top pick overall, Nay Lady Nay, got it done for the Chad Brown barn with stablemate Tapit Today keeping Valedictorian honest up front ensuring a solid enough pace for his late running barn mates but nearly held on himself for a piece of the Trifecta before being passed by the Super Screener Top Value play, Feel Glorious, who completed the Trifecta.  Paco Lopez is 3 for 3 now when serving as the pilot on Nay Lady Nay.

Monmouth Cup (G3)

Got crushed in this race as we needed either Core Beliefs or Harpers First Ride to hit the Exacta but neither of them were even close. The Last scratch of Bodexpress didn’t help as it changed the pace dynamic considerably resulting in very soft fractions throughout. Taking full advantage of that now favorable pace, it was the on again, off again, Global Campaign that showed his best stuff on a definite “on again” day. He even came back when collared by Bal Harbour mid stretch. Math Wizard may have run the best race of all having come from last to 2^nd overcoming that slow pace with his quick turn of foot. Signaling better performances ahead for this improving 4 year old.

United Nations (G1)

In this wide open affair, the Super Screener accurately faded the odds-on favorite, Arklow, due to the quick turnaround of coming back after just racing 6 days ago. Our top two choices in the race finished in the Trifecta at good odds.  We covered for the “Maker magic” outcome in which one of his horses pops up for a win in these marathon stakes, usually at generous odds.  Aquaphobia did just that – sitting up close to the soft pace and getting by Paret in that final furlong. The suggested Trifecta wager returned $415 and got the Pick 4 off to a good start.

Wolf Hill Stakes

The Super Screener Top Win and Top Value (though he was bet down to 5-2), Archidust, got the job done pressing and then pouncing late on a very determined American Sailor who upset the party here. Our other top pick, Shekky Shebaz, made a good accounting of himself finishing 3^rd as he continues to rebound. 

If you watch the replay of this race, both Dubini and Coop Tries Harder were making a move mid-stretch before Shekky Shebaz bore in and slammed into Coop Tries Harder who then crushed Dubini against the rail pulling that horse off stride. Discount the poor performances of these two runners and look for far better outcomes next out.

Molly Pitcher (G3)

The Super Screener Top Value play, Horologist, continued her remarkable record at Monmouth posting her 5^th win in as many starts. She landed the perfect trip sitting off the moderate pace before taking command mid-stretch and then never looking back winning easily. Kicking myself for not adding all the “C” horses to that 2^nd tier in the suggested Trifecta ticket though it was quite surprising to see that with a 40-1 shot 2^nd the Trifecta pay off was just $160.

With that win by Horologist, two of the Super Screener suggested Pick 4 tickets connected to return $580.    

After a COVID-induced disruption to racing at Del Mar this weekend, they’ll come back next weekend to take the spotlight featuring Maxium Security’s return in the G2 San Diego Handicap now under the care of Bob Baffert.  Saratoga will feature the G1 Vanderbilt this Saturday and even Woodbine is offering a couple of graded stakes race.

Until this coming weekend, Go Fast and Win! 

Mike