A Haskell Happening

The Grade 1 Haskell Invitational is this Sunday at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. It is the highlight of the Jersey track's meet and since this is my old home state, let's take a good look at the Haskell. I will go with the John Ward-trained Strong Contender as the winner here. He posted a phenomenal Beyer speed figure of 109 in winning the Grade 2 Dwyer at Belmont Park on July 4th. While there is a bounce possibility, he will have Edgar Prado aboard and that should help with that factor. Bluegrass Cat was the runner-up in Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, but that is just the problem. He has finished 2nd in three of the last four races. His last win was an ungraded Stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs in February. Deputy Glitters might get the balance of the bucks here. He won the Grade 2 Ohio Derby at Thistledown last time out on July 15th and beat Bluegrass Cat in the Tampa Bay Derby in March. The longshot to like in here is Praying For Cash with Jersey Joe Bravo in the irons. This horse is 8-1 on the morning line and loves the Monmouth strip, winning three of four starts over this racetrack. Here's wishing the best of luck to you all.