OCEANPORT, N.J. — A war at the shore turned out to be not much of a fight as Good Magic dominated the field in Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
“The horse was training great. I thought [jockey] Jose [Ortiz] gave him an excellent trip and everything worked out perfect. I just wanted to make sure he got to the wire in first,” Good Magic’s trainer Chad Brown said.
With a good break from the gate, Ortiz settled Good Magic, the 1-2 favorite, into second and several lengths off pace setter Roaming Union (45-1).
Approaching the far turn, Ortiz pushed Good Magic and the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion responded. Midway through the far turn, Good Magic came even with Roaming Union before quickly passing him.
As the field moved through the stretch, Good Magic’s victory was never in doubt as he scored a 3-length win over Bravazo. Lone Sailor finished third. The time for the 1 ¹/₈ -mile race was 1:50.01.
“When I asked him to run, I pushed the button and he was there for me,” Ortiz said of Good Magic, who was the runner-up at the Kentucky Derby behind Triple Crown winner Justify. “It was a really easy trip. He made it easy for me. When he passed the eighth pole, he actually gave me another gear. When we hit the 16th pole I said, all right, let me gear down because we have the Travers coming up so I want to save a little bit. I think he did it pretty easy. I’m just happy we got the win.”
Good Magic, who returned $3 to his backers, gave both defending Eclipse Award winners Brown and Ortiz their first victory in the 51st edition of Monmouth Park’s signature event.
The Haskell, a Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds, is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Win and You’re In series, with the winner receiving an automatic spot with fees paid for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.