By RICHARD ROSENBLATT

AP Racing Writer

OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) Trainer Bob Baffert was right. War Emblem was ready to return to the races.

In War Emblem's first race since stumbling at the start of the Belmont on June 8 and finishing eighth in his bid for the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner went wire-to-wire for a dominating victory in Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

"I hoped the race would be that easy," Baffert said, although there was a slight scare when the colt reared up just before the starting gate opened. "He had been going so well at Del Mar, getting stronger and stronger. We knew he was ready."

The last time War Emblem ran, he failed in his attempt to become racing's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

"I'm glad War Emblem showed up today," said Baffert, who was married Saturday night in Coronado, Calif., and arrived at Monmouth about 3 p.m. EDT.

"The fans were really cheering him on. There's a lot of pressure that goes with it, but he's been training great, we brought him here and he showed his stuff. That's the War Emblem we all know."

A crowd of 45,212 - second-largest in track history - showed up despite oppressive heat. A record crowd of 47,127 turned out to see Baffert's Point Given win last year's Haskell.

This time around was much easier for Baffert's entry as 3-10 favorite War Emblem beat Magic Weisner by 3½ lengths. Point Given beat Touch Tone by a half-length.

After jockey Victor Espinoza settled down War Emblem in the gate, the speedy black colt zoomed to the front and was never challenged.

"Victor said one of the starters grabbed War Emblem's ear," Baffert said. "You can't do anything like that with this horse."

Magic Weisner was a runner-up again to War Emblem. The gelding was second in the Preakness by three-quarters of a length, but didn't have a chance in the 1 1-8-mile Haskell.

Nonetheless, owner-trainer Nancy Alberts was thrilled with the result, especially with new rider Mike Luzzi.

"He tries hard everytime," Alberts said. "He ran awesome."

War Emblem reverted to his front-running self in the Haskell. Just like he did in the Kentucky Derby, War Emblem beat four other 3-year-olds to the first turn, set a moderate pace and was in command all the way.

Like A Hero was third, followed by Puck and Mr. Mellon.

Nine horses were entered Thursday, but Island Skipper was scratched Saturday and Medaglia d'Oro, Easyfromthegitgo and Peekskill ran in Sunday's Jim Dandy at Saratoga. Medaglia d'Oro won by 13 3-4 lengths.

War Emblem's next race is likely to be the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 25. But Richard Mulhall, racing manager for The Thoroughbred Corp., which owns War Emblem, said the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 24 is also an option.

War Emblem has seven wins in 11 career starts. Racing for the first time since the July 22 death of owner Saudi Prince Ahmed bin Salman, War Emblem earned $600,000 and boosted his earnings to $3,491,000.

Winning time for the race was 1:48.21. War Emblem returned $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10.

Magic Weisner returned $2.80 and $2.10. Like A Hero, with Laffit Pincay Jr. aboard, paid $2.10 to show. There was a minus show pool of $26,602.

War Emblem became the first Kentucky Derby winner to take the Haskell. Four tried before him.

Baffert has had a roller-coaster two weeks since the death of Prince Ahmed. First War Emblem was in the Haskell, then out, then in again.

Then came news Baffert was paid a $50,000 appearance fee by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Monmouth, for bringing War Emblem to the Haskell.

Baffert was paid the same amount last year for bringing Point Given to the Haskell, but the deal was not made public.

Baffert said Sunday the fee was offered after the Belmont, and it was never a consideration in determining whether to bring War Emblem to the Jersey shore. He also said he'll donate half the money to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in memory of Prince Ahmed.

"To some, it might sound unethical to run if your only intent is to get the fee," Baffert said. "Hey, we came here to win a $1 million race."

His wife, Jill Moss, had no problem spending the first day of her marriage at the race track.

"What a great place to spend your honeymoon - in the winner's circle," she said.

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