Irish War Cry the hometown call in red-hot Haskell Invitational

Preview: USA, Sunday 10.47pm BST (live on ATR)

Monmouth Park: betfair.com Haskell Invitational (Grade 1) 1m1f, 3yo | dirt

Virtually every horse towards the top end of the US Classic division is in action this weekend. After Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness scorer Cloud Computing square off in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Saturday, seven more graded-stakes winners comprise the field for the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

But while the field has an open look, there is no doubting the identity of the sentimental favourite: New Jersey-bred colt Irish War Cry (Graham Motion/Rajiv Maragh), whose owner/breeder Isabelle de Tomaso is the daughter of track founder Amory Haskell, a legendary figure in the state's racing scene after whom the race is named.

The owner usually hands out the winner's trophy, which means there is a distinct possibility she will be congratulating herself if the front-running Belmont Stakes runner-up has one of his good days, such as when he won the Wood Memorial in April.

The problem is that his record is that of an in-and-out performer, though trainer Graham Motion has long had the Haskell in his sights.

"Certainly she made it clear to me that this was a race that she'd like to run in, although Isabelle has never pushed me to do anything with this horse," he said.

"She's about as easygoing an owner as I've ever had, so there's never been any expectations, but this was always a race that we've had a goal."

Irish War Cry is drawn on the rail but might not have it all his own way from the front with the unbeaten Timeline (Chad Brown/Javier Castellano) another who likes to lead.

A high-class field also featuring one-time Kentucky Derby favourite McCraken (Ian Wilkes/Brian Hernandez) and Timeline's stablemate Practical Joke (Chad Brown/Joel Rosario), twice a Grade 1 winner at two and back on the scoresheet last time in the Dwyer.

The field is completed by Kentucky Derby third Battle Of Midway (Jerry Hollendorfer/Flavien Prat), last-to-first Iowa Derby victor Hence (Steve Asmussen/Paco Lopez) and Girvin (Joe Sharp/Robby Albarado), who won the Louisiana Derby in April.

Ladbrokes: 5-2 Irish War Cry, Timeline, 5 Battle Of Midway, Practical Joke, 7 McCraken, 16 Girvin, 25 Hence

Haskell Stakes card

Also on Sunday

Del Mar: Clement L Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) 1m½f | dirt | 3yo+ f/m (Mon 1.40pm BST)

Another clash of the top older females on the west coast as last year's winner Stellar Wind (John Sadler/Victor Espinoza) and Vale Dori (Bob Baffert/Mike Smith), whom she beat by a neck in the Beholder Mile last month, go head to head.

"They're both really good horses and they run well every time, so we're expecting another war," said Sadler of the rematch. "We're expecting to stay close to her and Stellar Wind has been tough in tight finishes."

Baffert may be looking for revenge, however, with Vale Dori, as Stellar Wind represents the same owner, Hronis Racing, and jockey-trainer combination as Accelerate, who last weekend turned over Arrogate.

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