by Jeff Lowe and Frank Angst

Bolstered by a potential matchup between Blackberry Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Summer Bird, Monmouth Park has elevated the purse for the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) on August 2 by $250,000 to $1.25-million.

Monmouth is hoping to comfortably surpass last year’s Haskell attendance (45,132) and possibly challenge the record crowd of 53,638 that showed up for the 2003 edition, which featured Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide.

Last year’s total handle was a record $17,642,955.

Monmouth officials have been trying to lure Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird away from the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2) on August 1 at Mountaineer. Trainer Bennie “Chip” Woolley Jr. said the purse increase would not affect the gelding’s status.

“We’re shipping him to Mountaineer tomorrow,” Woolley said on Thursday morning.

The new purse distribution will pay $700,000 to the Haskell winner, $250,000 to the runner-up, $125,000 to third, $85,000 to fourth, $50,000 to fifth, and $20,000 to sixth through last.

The boost could help fill out the field for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, which also is expected to draw Tom Fool Handicap (G2) winner Munnings, Arkansas Derby (G2) winner Papa Clem, and possibly Iowa Derby winner Duke of Mischief and recent Long Branch Stakes winner Atomic Rain.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer and Frank Angst is senior writer for Thoroughbred Times