15 things you need to know about the 50th Haskell Invitational

By Cindy Capitani | NJ Advance Media

With a purse of $1 million, the Haskell is the richest invitational event contested in North America, according to event organizers. The race at Monmouth Park will be shown live on NBC from 5 to 6 p.m. and live streamed on NBC Sports Live. The entire Haskell Day card is telecast on TVG.

For the past five decades, this major race for 3-year-olds — between the U.S. Triple Crown series and the Breeders' Cup — has grown in importance and interest and become the single biggest day of racing at the Jersey Shore. Here's how it started and what you should know about it:

Brian Spurlock | USA TODAY Sports

Here's how to watch Sunday's race

• Haskell Day 2017 will have approximately 14 races with the Haskell itself scheduled as Race 12. Post time is approximately 5:45pm. Gates open at 10 a.m.
• Reserved seats cost $8 for Grandstand general admission and $10 for Clubhouse general admission. General Admission tickets will be sold at the door with no cap on attendance.
• The race is live on NBC, 5 to 6 p.m. and live streamed on NBC Sports Live. The entire Haskell Day card is telecast on TVG.
• Tickets can be ordered on the Haskell website.

Courtesy, Turfotos

Fast facts

• The race is named for Armory Haskell (1893-1966), shown, a key figure in reviving N.J. horse racing and rebuilding Monmouth Park racetrack. In 1939, the Red Bank resident successfully lobbied the New Jersey State Legislature to reverse the 1894 ban on thoroughbred horse betting.
• Thanks to Haskell, Monmouth was the first racetrack in the world to have hot running water in every barn, as well as toilets, showers and living quarters.
• He was not only the founder of the race, but also first president and chairman of the Monmouth Jockey Club.
• The race started as the Amory L. Haskell Handicap, a race for older horses. In 1981, it became invitational-only.
• The race is 1 1/8 mile
• The number of horses in the race varies each year. This year, seven are expected, organizers said.
• Haskell is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Crowds are growing

A record 60,983 fans turned out in 2015, beating the 2013 record of 53,638. The average crowd is typically near 40,000, said Haskell spokesman John Heims. With the 50th anniversary, organizers said they are hoping for a great turnout.

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

It's a family affair

Isabelle de Tomaso and her sister, Hope Haskell Jones, both in their 80s, are a staple of the horse racing legacy defined by their father Amory L. Haskell, organizers said. The sisters present the Haskell trophy to the winner every year, but this year, they could possibly end up presenting the trophy to themselves. If that happens, Irish War Cry will be the second New Jersey-bred Haskell winner in half a century.

File photo of Irish War Cry

So will Irish War Cry win?

On the 50th anniversary, it would be special if the family's horse, Irish War Cry, won. The runner up in the Belmont Stakes is the 5-2 favorite, race officials said at a press conference. Tomaso's Jersey-bred Irish War Cry was drawn on Thursday as the first position for Sunday's race. At Thursday's race press conference, trainer Graham Motion said he'd rather be on the inside than outside.

Here's the odds for the other horses: Battle of Midway 5-1; Timeline 3-1; Practical Joke 4-1; McCraken 9-2; Hence 12-1 and Girvin 6-1

Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It's all about tradition

The official Haskell Day Hat, a tradition since 1988, changes every year and is free to patrons with paid admission. Check out entire gallery of hats on the Haskell website.

Cindy Capitani | NJ Advance Media

Cheers to the official drink

A race isn't official without an official drink. The Kentucky Derby has the Mint Julep, The Preakness has the Black-Eyed Susan, and the Haskell has the Summer Wind, complete with a commemorative glass listing past Haskell winners, according to Heims.

One of the most notable races ever

Bet Twice in 1987 tied the record for the fastest race at 1:47 when he beat Alysheba neck-in-neck. Majestic Light also finished at 1:47 in 1976 when the race was known as the Monmouth Invitational Handicap.

Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The red carpet

The Kentucky Derby isn't the only event with a flair for hats. Haskell attendees often dress to impress, taking photos on several red carpets. The day before the race, fashionistas can compete for best hat and win prizes from Lilly Pulitzer. Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The race has gotten richer and richer

The purse was $75,000 in 1968, increasing to $100,000 the next year. By 1987, the purse was upped to $500,000

In 2002, the purse was increased to $1.5 million due to the presence of War Emblem, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. In 2015, the purse was upped to $1.75 million, as it featured American Pharoah in his first race since winning the Triple Crown.

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A race to remember

One of the tightest finishes in the race’s history – and the last time a race was decided by a nose -- was in 1988 when Forty Niner narrowly beat favorite Seeking the Gold, riding neck-in-neck the entire race, organizers said.

Brian Spurlock | USA TODAY Sports

Easy riders

A 13-time leading rider, jockey Joe Bravo has ridden in the Haskell more than anyone and is nicknamed "Jersey" Joe, Herms said. Another noteworthy jockey is Victor Espinoza, who won the race aboard Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (shown) and atop 2002 Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Top dog

American Pharoah is the most famous horse to win the Haskell, organizers said. He drew a record crowd of 60,983 and fans came out at midnight to get a glimpse of him. He's the only horse to win all four big races in 2015: the American Triple Crown (Belmont, Preakness Stakes, Kentucky Derby) and the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

The legend of Forty Niner

Forty Niner #2 (inside) ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., won the July 30, 1988 Haskell by a nose. He was then retired to stud duty, and notably sired Belmont Stakes winner Editor's Note. He is also the grandsire of 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, according to Haskell records.

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

A horse to remember

Holy Bull and jockey Mike Smith are shown winning the 1994 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. Although he came in 12th in 1994 Kentucky Derby, his subsequent major wins earned him American Horse of the Year honors. He sired 45 stakes winners before dying of age-related illnesses at the age of 26 on June 7, 2017, records show.