HORSE RACING

Top Clearance joins list of challengers for American Pharoah

Stephen Edelson
@steveedelsonAPP

With a week to go before the $1-million William Hill Haskell Invitational, the field grew to seven horses Sunday when Gary and Mary West's Top Clearance was added to the list of challengers for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

"He worked the other day and was excellent,'' trainer Wayne Catalano said in the track's press release . "He is already stabled at Monmouth Park now. We aren't going to do too much with him before the race.''

The workout Catalano was referring to came on July 24, when the 3-year-old Majestic Warrior colt drilled seven furlongs in 1:25 2/5.

Lightly raced, Top Clearance is coming off back-to-back wins. After breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs on June 13, he won an allowance/optional claiming race at Monmouth Park on July 11, taking the mile-and-1/16 test by a length.

"Our plan is to sit back early in the race,'' Catalano said. "We will look for an opportunity for one good run. he will be ready to go.''

Abel Castellano Jr. will ride Top Clearance for the first time in the Haskell.

Top Clearance joins a field of challengers for American Pharoah that includes Competitive Edge, Keen Ice, Mr. Jordan, War Story and Tekton.

Staff writer Stephen Edelson is an Asbury Park Press columnist: sedelson@gannettnj.com