Lost Mountain Wins Haskell; Hansel Is Disappointing Third

If Hansel’s performance in the Kentucky Derby was confusing, try figuring what happened to the colt in the Haskell Invitational.

The Preakness and Belmont winner had his second disappointing race of the year Saturday, finishing a distant third behind Lost Mountain and Corporate Report in the $500,000 Haskell at Monmouth Park.

“He probably could have had a better trip, but I can’t take anything away from the other two horses,” Hansel’s trainer, Frank Brothers, said after extending to four his streak of never having won a race at this track. “They were the best today.”

The script seemed to be working in Hansel’s favor for the opening three-quarters of a mile in the Haskell, as the son of Woodman stalked pacesetter Corporate Report while Lost Mountain raced in fourth place.

Midway on the final turn, jockey Jerry Bailey asked Hansel to catch Corporate Report. For a second, Hansel responded, but Bailey soon found his horse had nothing left.

Lost Mountain, who carried 118 pounds including Craig Perret, eight fewer than Hansel, quickly took over second and went after Corporate Report, 120, with Chris McCarron. About 100 yards from the wire, the colts were even and Lost Mountain finally got his nose in front at the finish line.

Lost Mountain, who finished 22 lengths behind Hansel in the Belmont, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 on a track upgraded from muddy to good. He was a second off the stakes record set by Majestic Light in 1976 and equalled by Bet Twice in 1987.