Head-to-Head: Handicapping the 2022 Haskell Invitational

LAURIE

ASHLEY

1. Cyberknife (6-1)

Cyberknife has run only two bad races, the Lecomte and the KY Derby. I’m surprised he didn’t dominate the Matt Winn Stakes since he was the class. Either he was recovering from the Kentucky Derby, or Howling Time is improving. Contender.

Cyberknife was nowhere to be seen at the end of the Kentucky Derby, but he bounced back nicely in the Matt Winn (G3) to win by a determined nose. In terms of speed figures, that was his best career race. The rail is winning at a 23% clip right now. Contender.

2. Taiba (7-5)

So Taiba isn’t the superhorse everyone thought he was, at least not when he isn’t in the Baffert barn. But now he’s back with the white-haired trainer, and we’ll see if Baffert can pick up his tenth Haskell trophy. He and Mike Smith teamed up to win the 2020 edition with Authentic.

Taiba only debuted in March of this year, with the Kentucky Derby being just his third career race. By comparison, Apollo curse breaking Justify had one more race under his girth before tackling Churchill’s famed race. Now back with Bob Baffert, Taiba has the best dirt speed figure in the race, making him a worthy win contender.

3. One Time Willard (30-1)

One Time Willard is the local sprinter hoping to pick up a check. Unfortunately, he has been no threat in the state-bred division. Pass.

You can’t win if you don’t take a shot, but One Time Willard is really up against it here. This will be his first start in open company and first time attempting longer than a mile. Add that to his mediocre speed figures, and I have to pass.

4. Howling Time (10-1)

Howling Time’s performance and speed ratings improved in his last two starts. He gave Cyberknife all he could handle in the Matt Winn. Howling Time has the pedigree to stretch out, and two recent works show he’s fit. Contender.

Howling Time tried to take the Matt Winn from gate-to-wire but had to settle for second when Cyberknife got his nose to the wire first. In his other three graded attempts, he couldn’t even hit the board; however, he has really improved in his last two starts while running on the lead rather than coming from off the pace. At 10-1 on the morning line, you have to like this colt. Contender.

5. King of Hollywood (30-1)

They needed Tinsel Town’s huge spotlights to find King of Hollywood in the Pegasus Stakes in his last start. Previously, he won an allowance and a $30,000 maiden claimer. Pass.

King of Hollywood has not been able to find the winner’s circle in his last three attempts in (lesser) stakes company. I see no reason for that to change in a grade one event. Pass.

6. White Abarrio (5-1)

White Abarrio was a respectable second in the Ohio Derby after his wide trip in the Kentucky Derby. He gets a jock switch to Rosario, and the pretty gray colt has tactical speed. So it’s not farfetched to think that he’ll be making a late move if the speed burns out. Contender.

While White Abarrio did finish second in the Ohio Derby (G3) and third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), he has so far been unable to win away from Gulfstream Park. With that in mind, White Abarrio is certainly an exotics play, but I hesitate to put him on top.

7. Jack Christopher (3-2)

Undefeated Jack Christopher gets his first two-turn test. So far, nobody’s been able to run with this Cox trainee. However, I don’t see him as invincible. First, he hit a career-best speed rating of 109 in his last start; second, he’ll have to contend with other pacesetters; and third, he has a sprinter/miler pedigree and conformation. Contender.

Jack Christopher has won all four of his career races by open lengths, but as Laurie pointed out, this will be his first try around two turns. While he does have the second highest dirt speed figure in the field, his ability to stretch out that speed is certainly in question. I would include him in all spots on your tickets despite the big question mark. Contender.

8. Benevengo (20-1)

Benevengo is the best of the locals. This lightly raced son of Gormley has won three of four lifetime, including an optional claimer last out. His sole off-the-board finish was in the Long Branch over a sloppy track. The Cruz trainee recorded back-to-back bullet works, so we’ll see if he can hit the lower exotics at a price. There are classier types in here, so I’ll pass.

While Benevengo may be the best of the Jersey bunch, his speed figures do not match up with the best in the field. Jesus Cruz has put him through two sharp five furlong works in preparation for this spot, but I don’t think he will hit the board against this group. Pass.

        Ashley

        Laurie

1. Cyberknife (6-1)

6. White Abarrio (5-1)

4. Howling Time (10-1)

1. Cyberknife (6-1)

2. Taiba (7-5)

4. Howling Time (10-1)

6. White Abarrio (5-1)

7. Jack Christopher (3-2)