Sunday: 21st running of $1M Haskell Invitational for the 3yo at MTH, & Gr 1 Ruffian Hcp for F&M at Spa

The Haskell Invitational is named for the first president and chairman of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club, Amory Lawrence Haskell. As a tribute to the man honored by this race, Amory L. Haskell's daughters, Hope Haskell-Jones and Anne Haskell-Ellis, present the Haskell Invitational Trophy each year. Amory L. Haskell was born in New York City in 1893. He worked at General Motors for many years and then left to form Triplex Safety Glass Company and was president and chairman of the board when he sold it. Haskell then organized a group of prominent New Jersey residents to build a modern Thoroughbred racetrack in Monmouth County. Appointed president and chairman of Monmouth Park Jockey Club in 1945, he guided that organization through its opening in 1946 and continued at the helm until his death on April 12, 1966. In 1968, the Monmouth Park directors honored his memory with the Amory L. Haskell Handicap, a race for older horses. In 1981, the Haskell name was transferred to a mile and an eighth invitational for the nation's top three-year-olds. In 1983, Monmouth Park's Board of Directors commissioned a trophy to be awardwd each year that would be worthy of the high esteem that the race had garnered.




Sunday also sees 36th running of the The RUFFIAN Handicap for Fillies & Mares 3-years-old & Up, $250,000, 1 1/8 Miles Grade: I. at Saratoga. The RUFFIAN Handicap is named for the electrifying three year old filly champion of 1975 who was bred, owned and raced by the Locust Hill Farm of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Janney. Ruffian went to the post 11 times during her lifetime, winning the first 10 while never being headed and almost always in record time. In her 11th start, a match race against Foolish Pleasure, Ruffian broke down while in front and suffered a fatal injury. Ruffian, a daughter of Reviewer from the Native Dancer mare Shenanigans, won the two year old filly crown in 1974, and in 1975 showed her brilliance in capturing New York's Triple Tiara for Fillies, leading to her election to the Hall of Fame at Saratoga in 1976. In its short history the RUFFIAN has had some illustrious winners: Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk won in 1980, and Lady's Secret was voted Horse of the Year in 1986, following her second Ruffian victory in a row. The RUFFIAN Handicap was run at a mile and a quarter in 1976; at a mile and an eighth from 1977 to 1989. In 1987, Sacahuista finished first, but was disqualified.