Haskell Invitational Picks for Monmouth Sunday

As the morning line favorite at 6-5, it's perhaps unfair to think that Nyquist comes into the Haskell with something to prove and everything to lose. If he wins, it will re-affirm that he's the best of his crop. If he doesn't, his undefeated record through to the Preakness will lose some it's luster. But even against some solid competition at Monmouth at Sunday, he should win.

It's a race where jockey Mario Gutierrez should be able to sit where he wants, perhaps just off of Gun Runner (4-1) and whoever else wants the early lead, just as he did in the Derby. From there, he simply has the most natural speed of any in the race when they kick for home. If Gutierrez just allows Nyquist to display his talent, they will win. Gun Runner, meanwhile, is a very good and very game horse, but the race may play out as an exact copy of the Derby, where he showed he could run with Nyquist through the first mile, but then could not keep up. 

As for Exaggerator (5-2), he didn't win the Preakness by a fluke, but he did enjoy the perfect set-up, an off-track that he loved, and a clear rail trip all the way around. With both at their best, over a fast track, he's finished behind Nyquist four times. The fact that it was a late decision by his connections to even send him to the Haskell when the original target was Saturday's Jim Dandy Stakes, after training poorly over the Saratoga dirt, could also be considered. Like Gun Runner he's a very good horse, just not Nyquist good.

OTB New Jersey Picks

1) #1 Nyquist

2) #4 Gun Runner

3) #6 Exaggerator

4) #5 American Freedom