Derby runner-up Hard looking for win

The Haskell Invitational has been kind to tough-luck Kentucky Derby losers recently. Good thing, too, because Hard Spun could use a little good fortune in seeking his first victory in more than four months.

After finishing second in the Derby, third in the Preakness and fourth in the Belmont Stakes, Hard Spun was taken home to Delaware Park to prepare for the summer season.

The leggy bay colt is back, and trainer Larry Jones can only hope the Derby-loser, Haskell-winner trend continues: Three of the past four Derby losers have gone on to capture the Haskell _ Derby runner-ups Bluegrass Cat last year and Lion Heart in '04, and third-place Derby finisher Peace Rules in 2003.

"The time off has been good," Jones said. "He came through the Triple Crown races well, but I was glad that we got to the point we could give him a little break. He's doing well."

Hard Spun won't have to face Derby winner Street Sense in Sunday's 1 1-8-mile Haskell, but he will meet up again with Preakness winner Curlin, the even-money favorite in a strong field of eight 3-year-olds.

Curlin and Hard Spun, the 5-2 second choice, were the only horses to run in all three Triple Crown races _ Curlin was third in the Derby and second in the Belmont behind the filly Rags to Riches.

"We really feel good about the timing of this race," owner Rick Porter said Friday. "He's in good form, very similar to when he came into the Derby. I hope we can do in the Haskell what Bluegrass Cat and Lion Heart did. The horse could use a win."

Hard Spun put in a doozy of a final tuneup Thursday, working three furlongs at Delaware in an eye-catching 34 seconds. Before the Derby, the colt blazed five furlongs in 57.60 seconds.

Jockey Mario Pino returns to ride Hard Spun after being replaced by Garrett Gomez for the Belmont. In the Preakness, Pino was criticized for moving too early, and Porter changed riders even though Pino had been aboard for all eight of Hard Spun's previous races.

In the Belmont, Hard Spun was not in his usual spot on the lead and was never a threat in finishing 11 lengths back in fourth place.

Porter said he made a mistake.

"I overreacted. I should have stayed with Mario," Porter said. "And we paid the price dearly. We have a lot of confidence in Mario, but I felt I needed to make a change. We're happy he's back."

Hard Spun has won five of nine races and earned more than $1 million, but his last win was March 24 in the Lane's End at Turfway Park on Polytrack. The colt's last victory on a dirt track was Jan. 13 in the LeComte Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Curlin returns after a second-place finish in the Belmont, when Rags to Riches held off the big chestnut colt's challenge in the final strides and won by a head. The son of Smart Strike, trained by Steve Asmussen, has won four of six starts and earned $1.8 million for his owners, Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables, George Bolton and Midnight Cry Stables.

Also entered in the $1 million race are Any Given Saturday (3-1), unbeaten local favorite Cable Boy (8-1), Stormello (15-1), Xchanger (20-1), Imawildandcrazyguy (30-1) and Reata's Shadow (50-1).

Any Given Saturday is coming off a four-length win in the Dwyer at Belmont on July 4. He was eighth in the Derby. Trainer Todd Pletcher believes his colt might be ready to step up and win his first Grade 1 race.

"He's gained weight, become stronger and he's very focused in his training," Pletcher said. "I thought the Dwyer was a breakthrough performance for him."

Stormello and Imawildandcrazyguy also spent time on the Triple Crown trail. Stormello, expected to set the pace along with Hard Spun and Cable Boy, was 19th in the Derby. He ran third in the Woody Stephens at Belmont on June 9.

Imawildandcrazyguy, who finished strong to get fourth in the Derby and sixth in the Belmont, was a winner his last time out, taking an allowance race by 3 3/4 lengths at Calder in Miami.

FINISH LINES:@ Asmussen also trains the favorite for Saturday's $750,000 West Virginia Derby in Zanjero (3-1), second in the Northern Dancer at Churchill Downs on June 16. Zanjero was 12th in the Kentucky Derby. Also in the 10-horse field are Dominican (4-1), who beat Derby winner Street Sense in the Blue Grass Stakes, Ohio Derby winner Delightful Kiss and Lone Star Derby winner Slew's Tizzy.