Point Given Prevails

Bob Baffert’s weekend in New York and New Jersey almost turned into a complete disaster.

A day after his Congaree flopped at Saratoga--with a legitimate excuse--in the Jim Dandy Stakes, the nation’s leading trainer saw Point Given, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner, almost get upset in the $1.5-million Haskell Invitational in front of a record 47,127 at Monmouth Park.

The 3-10 favorite in his first start since his 12 1/4-length smasher in the Belmont on June 9, Point Given needed all of his class to finally subdue Touch Tone by a half-length in 1:49 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles with Burning Roma a close third.

Outrun early while Hero’s Tribute and Burning Roma battled for the lead, Point Given and jockey Gary Stevens moved into contention with seeming ease and looked ready to take over and draw away.

However, the 124-pound high weight began to struggle a bit and, at the top of the stretch, it appeared he might lose for the fifth time in his 12 starts.

Under urging from Stevens, who has lost only twice in eight races since he started riding Point Given last Nov. 4, the son of Thunder Gulch was able to prevail in the final 16th of a mile.

“Touch Tone ran his guts out,” said Baffert after his first Haskell victory in his third attempt. “He almost pulled it off.”

Owned by Prince Ahmed Salman’s Thoroughbred Corporation, Point Given’s $900,000 payday pushed his career earnings to $3,368,500. Only once in his career has he been worse than second--his fifth-place finish as the 9-5 favorite in the Kentucky Derby.

Baffert and Richard Mulhall, the racing manager for Salman, gave no indication where the chestnut will make his next start, but the major goal before the end of 2001 is the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 27 at Belmont Park.

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Congaree, who finished a distant third at 2-5 on Saturday, injured a knee in the Jim Dandy and will be out for the rest of the year.

The 3-year-old was defeated by more than six lengths by Scorpion, an 11-1 shot trained by Wayne Lukas.

A post-race examination revealed the problem.

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Getting the front-running trip she prefers, Tranquility Lake ($6.60) led nearly every step of the way in winning the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap at Del Mar.

Ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye , the 6-year-old Rahy mare completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41 3/5. It was her 10th victory in 24 starts and her second in five races on the dirt. Favored Gourmet Girl placed second, three lengths behind the winner.