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OCEANPORT, N.J. -- With one huge surge around the far turn, Lookin At Lucky blew away a star-studded field in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday to confirm his status as the best 3-year-old in the country.

The Preakness winner made his move under Martin Garcia on the turn, and dueled briefly with Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver before storming home to a four-length victory over Trappe Shot, with First Dude third.

Super Saver, with Calvin Borel aboard, finished fourth in the seven-horse field considered the deepest in the 43-year history of the Grade 1 Haskell. It was the first time the race featured the Derby and the Preakness winner.

Afleet Again was fifth, followed by Ice Box and Our Dark Knight. Uptowncharlybrown was scratched with a fever.

With the win, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert becomes the first trainer to win the Haskell four times. He also won with Point Given (2001), War Emblem (2002) and Roman Ruler (2005).

"We've been waiting for a coming out party," Baffert said. "What a great horse. When he gets on dirt, he's a totally different horse. He was just floating over the stuff. He's just improving and getting better and better."

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite, Lookin At Lucky returned $4.40, $3 and $2.40. Trappe Shot, who missed the Triple Crown races but had won four in a row, paid $3.40 and $2.60. First Dude, second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont Stakes, paid $3 to show.

The winning time for the 1 1-8 miles over a fast Monmouth Park track was 1:49.83

The Triple Crown races produced three winners -- Drosselmeyer won the Belmont Stakes -- and did little to determine a leading 3-year-old. But Lookin At Lucky was considered by many to be the best, although a troubled trip in the Derby, where he finished sixth, raised a few questions.

The answers came on a cool, sunny day at the Jersey Shore track.

Sitting fourth behind First Dude, Our Dark Knight and Super Saver, Lookin At Lucky made a move for the front coming out of the backstretch. Super Saver also moved as did Trappe Shot. The Derby winner on the outside, and the Preakness winner just inside him, battled briefly for the lead before Garcia gave Lookin at Lucky a few taps with he whip and it was all over.

"When I saw that move at the turn, I knew it was over," Baffert said. "It's a great feeling to have a horse like this. Super Saver is a good horse, Trappe Shot is an up-and-comer and First Dude is a good horse. This was probably the toughest field ever for this race ... it's like winning a classic."

Lookin At Lucky, the 2-year-old champion last year, has now won eight of 10 career starts and improved his earnings to $2.7 million.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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