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There are many graded stakes scheduled to be run this weekend, but none will attract more interest than the $1 Million Amory Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

First, Kentucky Derby winner SUPER SAVER is in the Haskell and so is Preakness Stakes winner LOOKIN AT LUCKY. Beyond those two, the 1-1/8 mile race also has attracted ICE BOX, the colt who was a fast closing second in the Derby despite suffering severe interference in the upper stretch.

That’s not all.

FIRST DUDE, second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont Stakes is also in the Haskell, as are AFLEET AGAIN, OUR DARK KNIGHT and UPTOWNCHARLEYBROWN, all of whom have either won or placed in stakes races this year.

Yet even with that lineup, the most intriguing aspect of this race goes beyond the 2010 Triple Crown players and the handful who hinted they belonged at that level.

The most compelling horse to watch in the 2010 Haskell is the rapidly developing TRAPPE SHOT, a son of Tapit who has won all four of his starts this year after a 5th place finish in his career debut in July 2009. Among those four victories, Trappe Shot happens to have won the Long Branch Stakes over the Monmouth racing surface after a poor start while earning a 105 Beyer Speed Figure for the second time in succession. Those two performances were not only visually impressive, but they rank among the highest Beyer Speed Figures earned by any 3-year-old not named ESKENDEREYA, who was retired due to injury after he earned a 109 in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 3.

Super Saver, for example, earned a 104 in the Kentucky Derby, while Ice Box earned 100 for his traffic impaired second. Meanwhile, Lookin at Lucky and First Dude earned 102 and 101 Beyers respectively for their first and second place finishes in the Preakness.

The raw numbers say that Trappe Shot is marginally the fastest horse in this high quality field and he does have a strong winning race over the Monmouth Park track. But, the Haskell represents a major step up in class for the new kid on the block as well as a wonderful opportunity for discerning players to see if the stars of the Triple Crown have emerged from their two month vacations as stronger, more mature performers. Frankly, the Haskell is not only a very good betting race, but if we look at it in its traditional role as a prep for the 1-1/4 mile Travers, we just might get a good handle on the logical horse or horses to beat in the prestigious race that will be the highlight of the summer Saratoga racing season. 

Likewise, it would pay to keep in mind that horses running in the Jim Dandy are prepping specifically for the Travers while gaining the natural advantage of a race

In addition to Fly Down, the  Jim Dandy field includes a pair of undefeated New York breds STORM’S MAJESTY and FRIEND OR FOE; as well as A LITTLE WARM, who also earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in a stakes race at Delaware Park last month. Moreover, there are five other legit contenders who are one good performance away from earning a starting berth in the Travers.

Beyond the important stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday and Sunday, Saratoga and Del Mar will offer several graded stakes worth a long look.

On Saturday at Saratoga, the companion to the Jim Dandy will be the $500,000 Diana, a G-1 for fillies and mares at 1-1/8 miles on the grass. While  on Sunday, it will be the $250,000 Ruffian, a G-1 for fillies and mares at 1-1/8 miles on the main track and the $150,000 Fourstardave, a G-2 for 3-yr-olds and up at 1-1/16 miles on the turf (on Sunday).

At Del Mar on Saturday, the feature race will be the $200,000 San Diego, a G-2 for 3-year-olds and up at 1-1/16 miles on the Polytrack, which will serve as a primary prep for the $1 Million Pacific Classic on Aug. 28.

On Sunday, Del Mar’s feature will be the 6-1/2 furlong, $250,000 Bing Crosby, a G-1 for 3-year-olds and up, which will serve as a stepping stone to the 7 furlong, $300,000 Pat O’Brien, a G-1 that also will be run on the Pacific Classic card. And, if you have been paying attention, that means we are going to have one high octane day of graded stakes on both coasts on that Saturday, Aug. 28. Be sure to mark it on your racing calendar.

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