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Thursday, August 01, 2002

By Richard Rosenblatt, The Associated Press

Bob Baffert has quite a weekend planned, even for someone used to hectic schedules.

	THE RACE WHAT: 35th Haskell Invitational WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Monmouth Park, Monmouth, N.J. DISTANCE: 1 1/8 miles TV: ESPN2 PURSE: $1 MILLION FAVORED: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Warm Emblem races for the first time since the Belmont

He is getting married Saturday in Coronado, Calif., then jetting to the Jersey shore early Sunday to saddle Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

"And after the race, we'll fly up to Saratoga," Baffert said yesterday during a conference call from Del Mar, Calif. "We'll honeymoon at the Saratoga sales."

For racing fans, the big news is War Emblem's return to the races for the first time since stumbling badly at the start of the Belmont Stakes and finishing eighth in his bid to win the Triple Crown.

"He looks great for a horse who went through all that," Baffert said. "You'd never notice a thing by looking at him now. He's kept his weight and his coat looks fabulous."

War Emblem arrived at Monmouth from Del Mar yesterday and was scheduled to go out on the track today. He was accompanied by Jim Barnes, Baffert's assistant trainer.

Until a few days ago, the only certainty for Baffert this weekend was his marriage to Jill Moss.

The death of Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman, War Emblem's owner, July 22, hit Baffert hard.

Over several days, Baffert said War Emblem was in the Haskell, then out, then in again.

"When the prince died, I couldn't think about doing anything at the time," Baffert said. "It took us awhile.

"But I was working the horse, and he was unbelievable. You keep waiting and waiting for a race ... and maybe he gets hurt just waiting. He's doing well so we decided to take a shot."

The final decision to put War Emblem on a plane was made by Richard Mulhall, racing manager for The Thoroughbred Corp., after discussions with Baffert and Prince Ahmed's younger brother, Faisal. Yesterday, Prince Faisal was officially appointed by his family to oversee The Thoroughbred Corp.

Although Baffert is excited about the weekend -- he'll also send out Congaree in Sunday's San Diego Handicap at Del Mar -- he is still having a tough time dealing with Ahmed's death. Not only was the prince a client, but he also was a friend.

"The last few weeks have been most difficult," Baffert said. "Opening day at Del Mar was tough. We became good friends.

"Once you were in his inner circle, the prince was a kind, generous man. He liked to have fun, and he really enjoyed racing. He's going to be missed by a lot of people."

Baffert then recalled last year's Haskell win with Point Given. "It's ironic," he said. "The Prince dedicated the win to his brother [Prince Fahd], who had just passed on."

War Emblem will take on at least five challengers in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, including Preakness runner-up Magic Weisner, recent winner of the Ohio Derby, Like a Hero, Puck, Mr. Mellon and long shot Island Skipper. Others still being considered are Easyfromthegitgo, Peekskill and Shah Jehan.

Now that Monmouth's showcase event has its star in War Emblem, the track is looking to break the record attendance of 47,127 set last year when Point Given took the Haskell by a half-length.

"I hope the horse is going to win. He's sitting on a good race," Baffert said.

"The fans at Belmont felt like they were cheated. For him to break like that again ... he's a free-running horse who wants to be in front."

Baffert said he and his new bride plan to board a private jet early Sunday morning, along with several friends attending the wedding.

"I don't know what I'll be wearing," Baffert said. "I'll probably still have on my tuxedo."