Just minutes before Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) arrived at Monmouth Park, the Oceanport, N.J. oval announced a $750,000 purse increase to Sunday's GI William Hill Haskell Invitational S., which was previously worth $1 million.
“The Haskell has been called the fourth jewel of the Triple Crown,” said Bob Kulina, president of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park Racetrack. “With the Derby purse at $2 million and the Preakness and Belmont going to $1.5 million, it's only fitting that we join in that mix for our race, which has proven itself the next logical step for 3-year-olds following the Triple Crown.”
Kulina added, “All participants will share in this purse increase. We've had purse increases to the Haskell before, but have never seen a Triple Crown winner, so to make this one a record is only fitting.”
The Haskell purse was increased to $1.5 million in 2001, when the race was won by fellow Bob Baffert trainee and dual Classic winner Point Given. It was upped to $1.25 million in 2009 when champion Rachel Alexandra left the boys in her dust.
“We've all waited a long time to see a Triple Crown-winning horse and we're thankful to the Zayat family and trainer Bob Baffert for choosing to showcase their champion at Monmouth Park,” Kulina said. “It will be a historic day for horse racing, Monmouth Park and the State of New Jersey.”
Throughout its history, the Haskell has had 25 champion participants, seven of which went on to be named Horse of the Year and eight of which are now members of the Hall of Fame.
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