Haskell 2022: 'He has speed and he doesn't get tired' Baffert says of Taiba

After the final notes of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run reverberate through the Monmouth Park grandstand Saturday, the stage will be set for what could be an epic showdown in the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Installed as the slim 7/5 favorite at Wednesday’s post position draw is Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba, trained by Bob Baffert. Taiba returned to Baffert’s barn when the embattled conditioner returned from a 90-day suspension on July 3 for Medina Spirit failing a post-race drug test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

And just behind Taiba in the morning line odds at 3/2 is unbeaten Jack Christopher, who has been nothing short of brilliant in winning his four career starts by a combined 25 lengths, including a pair of Grade 1 victories.

Taiba will break from the No. 2 post, while Jack Christopher, trained by Chad Brown, will break from the No. 7 post in the eight horse field.

More:Betting guide for Haskell 2022 with expert predictions, analysis

It will be the first race in 11 weeks for Taiba, who returned to Baffert's barn on July 3. He worked five furlongs in a quick 59.20 at Santa Anita last Friday.

“I don’t think about records or anything, I just think about sending a good horse up there," said Baffert, looking for his record 10th Haskell win. "I’ve sent some really great ones, and I hope this guy fits the same kind of horse I bring up there. He’s very talented, lightly raced but I feel like he’s doing really well. It’s a good race.

“I was going to let him dictate if he was ready or not. I didn’t want to throw him into the deep end of the pool but he’s doing well. I would have liked an extra week but he has shown me he has speed and he doesn’t get tired.”

More:Haskell 2022: Monmouth Park welcomes Bob Baffert as industry grapples with embattled trainer

Jack Christopher has not run in six weeks, dating back to a dominating 10-length win in the Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

The two headliners top a field that includes four Grade 1 winners, making it among the most competitive in the race's 55 year history.

Florida Derby winner is third choice

The third choice at 5-1 is Florida Derby winner White Abarrio, second in the Ohio Derby last time out. Trained by Saffie Joseph, who nearly won the 2020 Haskell with Ny Traffic, losing by a nose to Authentic, White Abarrio will come out of the six hole.

Breaking from the rail will be Cyberknife, owned by long-time Jersey Shore resident Al Gold and trained by Brad Cox, who won last year’s Haskell with Mandaloun after Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified for interference.

Cyberknife, at 6-1, won the Arkansas Derby earlier this year, and bounced back from a disappointing 18th place finish in the Kentucky Derby to win the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in his last start.

“He has improved, there is no doubt about it,” Cox said. “He is a Grade 1 winner and multiple graded stakes winner, so he’s accomplished a lot. But we do feel like how he trains and how he runs in the afternoon, that there’s more in the tank. I think we’re going to have to see the best Cyberknife to win this race. It’s a very good race they have put together here, and we’re excited to be a part of it – if this horse can move forward a little bit I think he’s a major, major player in this.”

Rounding out the field are Howling Time, trained by Dale Romans, at 10-1; Benevengo, stabled at Monmouth Park and trained by Jesus Cruz, at 20-1; and a pair of 11th hour entrants in King of Hollywood and One Time Willard, with both Monmouth Park-based horses at 30-1.

If you go

The Haskell anchors a 14-race card featuring five graded stakes races, including the Grade 1 United Nations. Post time for the Haskell is approximately 5:47 p.m., with coverage on CNBC from 5-6 p.m. The track is located at 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, 07757. Go to monmouthpark.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Haskell 2020: Taiba, Jack Christopher showdown looms at Monmouth Park