OCEANPORT, NJ–A lot has been made about the fact that Ocelli (Connect) has yet to win in nine prior careers starts. Despite that fact, the handsome colt's career earnings already stand at over $800,000 and the sole maiden in Saturday's GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes will try to change that narrative while facing six others, including 2-1 morning-line favorite and Grade I winner Further Ado (Gun Runner), a impressive last-out winner in the GIII Matt Winn Stakes.A 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland this fall, the Monmouth's marquee test for the sophomore class heads a stacked 14-race card, including four additional graded stakes–the GII United Nations Stakes, GII Molly Pitcher Stakes, GIII Monmouth Cup and GIII Matchmaker Stakes.In contrast to the flashy Spendthrift Farm early favorite who cost $550,000 at OBS in April, Ocelli was secured for a meager $12,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale.Trevor Durr, who owns Webb Carroll Training Center with his wife Ashley, explained the colt's purchase was a group effort.“The whole team was involved [during the selection process]–me, [Legion Bloodstock's] Kristian [Villante] and Kyle [Zorn],” said Trevor Durr. “We were actually all sitting in the back ring in October after we looked at all the horses. Obviously, we had a short list, but sometimes things get missed or you might not see them at the barn. But we saw him walk by us a few times [in the back ring], I thought, “What is that??”He added, “I got up, looked at the x-ray report and then just followed him [into the sale's pavilion]. He's a very pretty horse. He walked well and we were very fortunate to get him for $12,000.”Sent to Webb Carroll for his early preparation, Ocelli continued to stand out in a crowd.“During that winter, I'd have 15, 16 horses go out in a set and it's a lot going on. But he would always be a horse that would go by and be like, “Who's that? And it'd be him,” recalled Durr. “You knew he was out there. He's always been a horse that was forward and moved well. He liked to train. He just kind of always caught your eye going around there.”When it was time to find a trainer for the colt, Durr said Whit Beckman topped the list. However, he wasn't entirely sure the trainer would want to take on the raw colt.“I called Whit and said, “I like this horse. I'm going to send him to you. If you don't like him, just tell me and I can go somewhere else with him where he can win because I bought him to race him and just play around,” he explained. “And then when he went long, two or three works. [Whit] was like, “Hey, this is our Derby horse this year.” I was like, “Holy moly. All right, let's go!”Ocelli looking the part at Monmouth Park this week | EQUI-PHOTODespite the early promise, Ocelli didn't make his first start until the fall of his juvenile season. Prior to that, however, he tipped his hand during the Aiken Trials, where he defeated his stablemate, eventual Grade I-placed Honey Dutch (Knicks Go).Third going 6 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs in his career debut on Nov. 23, he finished second and third in his next two starts at the Fair Grounds over the winter.Although yet to gain a win, suitors came knocking.“He had some little setbacks [early on],” recalled Durr. “Once we ran a few times, we had some offers and a good friend of mine, Chris Gracey had a client [Anthony Tate] that was looking for that kind of horse and they made an offer. And then Kevin Page wanted in. He was a new client of ours and he's looking for the fun and that experience. And we offered a piece in him. He was happy to take a percentage. It's a big family still atmosphere, no strangers kind of involved. It makes it fun.”The colt currently races for the partnership of Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Kevin Page's Front Page Equestrian.Was there a time that selling the colt in his entirety was even an option?“Not really,” Durr admitted. “Look, I've had horses my whole life, but having once in a lifetime kind of horse, I didn't want to sell the whole thing.”Sixth in his next two starts in the Sam F. Davis Stakes and Virginia Derby, the Rosedown Racing-bred colt finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Albus (Yaupon) in the GII Wood Memorial in April. Overlooked at 70-1 in the Derby, the longshot closed to finish a length adrift of winner Golden Tempo (Curlin), who went on to also win the GI Belmont. Tyler Gaffalione was aboard Ocelli for the first time in the Run for the Roses.“I think it took a lot of figuring out what he wants to do,” said Durr of the colt's progress. “We made a few equipment changes on him along the way. And I think listening to Tyler too.”Despite closing willingly, he was unable to get close and had to settle for fourth, beaten 7 1/4 lengths, behind GI Preakness winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map).In his latest start in the June 20 GIII Ohio Derby, Ocelli actually made the lead late in the nine-furlong contest but was caught by winner Chip Honcho (Connect), who won by a length.“He gets in front and he thinks he's won the race and it's not like he's getting tired or shutting off,” said Durr, explaining the colt's obvious penchant. “He just kind of thinks, “Oh, it's over.””So what's the recipe to finally getting Ocelli to the finish line first?“I think you got to ride him a little different,” said Durr. “When a trainer tells you [they like a horse], you get excited. And so that's one reason we put him through the deep end the whole time is because [Beckman] saw it, I saw it. He just had to put it all together. We did a lot of equipment changes and stuff on him, but he's really just kind of grown up as we've gone along.”Slated to break from the outside Post 7 in the Haskell with Further Ado exiting post 2 and Napoleon Solo (5-2 on the morning line) breaking right to his inside in the six hole, Ocelli is coming into this 10th career start the right way. However, there remains the hope that the closer gets some pace to run at late.“I mean we've beat Napoleon before [in the Wood], but I think it's got to be a situation where hopefully [the leaders] go for it up front and then we can pick up the pieces,” said Durr. “Or maybe we are a little closer this time. I'll let [Beckman and Gaffalione] do their job and we'll go from there.” The Puma Poised to Pounce in Haskell..While Ocelli has been dancing ever dance this season, The Puma (Essential Quality) was forced to miss the spring Classics after developing a skin infection on his left leg prior to the Kentucky Derby. Victorious in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, the chestnut returned three weeks later to get nosed out by Commandment (Into Mischief) in the GI Florida Derby.Haskell contender The Puma getting some love at Monmouth on Friday | EQUI-PHOTOAsked how he felt as the horses hit the wire in the Florida Derby, trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. explained, “I don't know what happened in the Florida Derby. I was watching the TV and said, 'I won!' I watched the replay and said, “I won!' The horse thought he won, too.”Looking like the team of OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing held a hot hand heading to Louisville, the colt was forced to scratch several hours before the race.“We had the bad luck in the morning of the Kentucky Derby, and it can happen,” the trainer opined. “But to happen that day, and in the morning … wow.”Undeterred, the team believe the colt has what it takes to regain his winning form from earlier this season.“The horse is strong now,” Delgado affirmed. “The second semester begins with the Haskell and it is very important for all the trainers and the owners. Also important is the possibility of the Breeders' Cup.”He continued, “More important, my horse is in good health and ready. He is good. Now he has the chance to show everybody how good he really is. But the only way to know is tomorrow.” Graded Action from East to WestIn addition to Monmouth Park's stacked weekend, Saratoga offers a pair of graded stakes–the GI Diana Stakes in addition to the GIII Coronation Cup and Del Mar features the GII San Diego Handicap and GII San Clemente Handicap.Trainer Chad Brown will try to win his 11th renewal of the Diana with a quartet of runners, including Grade I winners Segesta (Ghostzapper), Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Portfolio Duration (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).Del Mar's San Diego will feature the return of Classic winner Journalism (Curlin), winless in three starts since a victory in last year's Haskell.The post Ocelli Still Looking for a Win, But All Systems Go for the Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.