Favored Paynter took over the lead from pace-setting Gemologist around the far turn before drawing away to a convincing victory in the $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, giving trainer Bob Baffert his third straight and sixth overall victory in the prestigious race.
Ridden to victory by Rafael Bejarano, Paynter was beaten to the lead in the nine-furlong race by Gemologist, who was making his first start since a sixteenth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Thus, Gemologist found himself racing in second entering the first turn, about three-quarters of a length behind the leader and about a length clear of Handsome Mike, with Nonios also up close along the rail. Dullahan was also right in contention on the far outside, roughly three lengths from the lead, while Stealcase was the early trailer by a large margin following a poor start.
The pace was actually a moderate one, with Gemologist running the opening half-mile in :48 seconds flat. The positions remained virtually unchanged down the backstretch, the only modification being that Nonios moved up a bit along the rail to secure third position. However, rounding the far turn, Paynter moved up to take over the lead from Gemologist and then burst clear in the homestretch, opening up a decisive lead. Nonios put in a decent run to finish second, but was no match for the winner. Stealcase rallied for third, while Handsome Mike rounded out the superfecta.
-Keelerman
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