< < CLICK ON OLDER NEWS TO VIEW ALL ARCHIVED STORIES
MONMOUTH PARK PUTS ON A SHOW FOR THE AGES DURING THE 50TH RUNNING OF THE HASKELL
Photo: Ybsportsonline Stafffer
Jockey Roberto Albarado sitting aboard Girvin receives well wishes from his many elated fans in the winner's circle.
Team Girvin Brings It at Monmouth – a Haskell Upset for the 50th
If you’re a music lover, then you are probably familiar with the great Bruno Mars’ quick rise to stardom. On late Sunday afternoon at beautiful Monmouth Park, you may have been reminded of one of Mars’ smooth lyrics from his latest hit, ”cause you are shining so bright”, lucky for you because I like it, I like it. Bruno of course was referring to something that caught his eye in a major way. Yesterday at Monmouth Park during the running of the track’s 50th Haskell Invitational, just about everyone in attendance was probably feeling the same way because King Girvin was shining so brightly. And oh yeah, did he ever catch our eye. On this gorgeous Sunday afternoon, Team Girvin, and everyone associated with them, shone so bright the euphoric high they delivered sent the overflow crowd of race fans into another level of delirium.
In a race that saw Girvin, a nine to one underdog, bolt from the gate in the Seventh, and last position, gather himself after falling fifteen lengths behind the leader, put on a monstrous display of will power to stave off another gallant effort by McCraken to nip the more expected aforementioned at the wire. It seemed as if there was never any doubt in jockey Roberto Albarado’s mind that the horse with so many adoring fans screaming for him, would pull himself together and run the race of his life to steal victory from obvious defeat based on Girvin’s track position with just a little over a quarter of a mile left in the race. Fortunately for Albarado and Team Girvin, the horse who appears to run just up to the level of his competition, had a little something left in his reserve tank as he headed into the stretch. Here, pushing hard from the outside, the young colt made a dashing move to throw his body into that coveted fifth gear, and move past the competition as if they were out on a date and just cruising the grounds. This race may have reminded some of the great Filly Rachel Alexandra and her big win. Alexandra was intent on winning while much of her competition may have thought that they were out on a date when she pulled up next to them, only she wasn’t having any of that as she blew by them on her way to victory. As the announcer cried, “Girvin won it by a nostril.”
With Girvin’s famous, and now retired exercise rider, Rosie Napravnik, and her trainer husband, Joe Sharp, looking on, Girvin had pulled off one of the gutsiest runs to glory over Monmouth’s beautiful mile and a half rectangle, causing his owner, Brad Grady, to do a pretty cool jig right there on the front stretch with the Sharp’s youngest son mounted on his shoulders. It shouldn’t go without mention that, to the contrary, the young trainer Joe Sharp, was as they say, as cool as the other side of the pillow as he appeared to be more relieved than overjoyed with his horse’s big time win. And in a race that featured so many appealing story lines, that is quite an accomplishment. Lost in all of the hoopla was the fact that this special edition of racing was highlighted by the presence of a great lady, the irrepressible, and ageless Isabelle de Tomaso, owner of pre-race favorite Irish War Cry. It was de Tomaso’s father Amory Haskell that bore the name of this now world famous race with it’s bigger than life winner’s purse that created such a buzz amongst the throng of fans and well wishers. Unfortunately for the Dame of the Ball, War Cry couldn’t untangle himself from the collection of bumper car bodies that jostled him left and right for important positioning during much of the race. But there will be other opportunities for the Irish to make the Breeder’s Cup with Saratoga looming in the immediate future. Win and you’re in, is the attached moniker that is associated with the Breeder’s Cup Invite. Girvin certainly added his name to that coveted list.
Speaking of Napravnik, it was great to see the New Jersey native at what should be referred to as her home track, back in the winners’ circle even if she wasn’t on board. Napravnik seems more than content to honor her husband’s attempt at securing his place in Horse Racing Nostalgia and supports him without looking back. It’s quite obvious that Rosie has the one thing that winners never win without, and that’s family support. This was evident in speaking with Rosie’s Aunt Robin. She says, “we loved it when Rosie was racing and we miss her being on board, but we love her even more now in her new role in motherhood.” Live on.
Speaking of beauty, Monmouth Park boasts one of the most gorgeous layouts you can imagine if you enjoy going out to high profile horse racing facilities. It offers something wonderful for everyone in attendance, with the current sand sculpture always an eye-catcher. As someone who is not easily impressed with aesthetics, I wasn’t about to let this place change me, but there wasn’t a corner that I turned while making our way around this beautiful facility that I didn’t have to catch my breath and say damn, that’s awesome. From the saddling ring to the family grove, back to the front stretch, the vending areas and I cannot forget the betting stables’, both interior and exterior…organized and exceptionally clean. You would simply have to see it to believe it. It definitely ranks right up there with some of the most attractive Horse Parks in the country, with some classy hats in attendance. Any idea as to why they haven’t been offered the “Preakness” yet? They certainly have one of the classiest administrative staff’s in the business as evident as to how smooth the entire day flowed from start to finish. In order to pull off something of this magnitude without a hitch, you have to know some stuff, as I say, and they definitely “know some stuff.”
The order of finishing for The 50th Haskell Invitational is as goes:
- Girvin
- McCraken
- Practical Joke
- Irish War Cry
- Timeline
- Battle of Midway
- Hence
Staff Photo-
Rosie Napravnik appears to be in a pensive mood prior to the start of Monmouth's biggest race, The Haskell.
