The $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) on Saturday (July 20) at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, is the first major race for 3-year-olds following the Triple Crown. usracing.com is publishing profiles on the contenders.
2024 Haskell Stakes Contenders: TIMBERLAKE
Timberlake, a one-time early Kentucky Derby favorite, is finally set to return after a four-month break that included missing the Triple Crown races. If he’s back to the form that produced victories in the Champagne Stakes in 2023 and the Rebel Stakes in February, he just may have a good shot at winning the Haskell.
Trainer Brad Cox, winner in two of the last three Haskells, believes the son of Into Mischief is ready to jump back into the fray.
Timberlake posted six timed workouts in Kentucky preparing for the Haskell, a tall order with the likes of the top two finishers in the Belmont Stakes, Dornoch and MIndframe, in the field.
After winning the Rebel at Oaklawn Park, Timberlake ran fourth behind Muth in the Arkansas Derby on March 30 after tiring in the stretch.
“He came out of that race with a little bit of a setback. It kind of maybe explained a little bit why he ran the way that he did,” Cox said. “We gave him the time he needed and here we are.
“He’s training straightforward with the freshening. We zeroed in on this race once he started back working because he’s doing so well.”
In his most recent work, July 13 at Churchill Downs, Timberlake breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.00.
“I would say he’s pretty cranked right now. I think he’s good enough to get the job done. I really do,” Cox said.
At 8-1, this two-time Grade 1 winner is a worthy upset contender.
2024 Haskell Stakes Odds and Post Positions: Timberlake
Post position: 4
Odds: 8-1
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owners: Siena Farm, WinStar Farm
Career record: 7-3-1-0
Career earnings: $1,173.100
Last race: Arkansas Derby, March 30 (4th)
Top Equibase speed figure: 106
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Pin Up, by Lookin At Lucky
Color: Bay
Running style: Stalker
Notes: Cox won the Haskell with Cyberknife in 2022 and Mandaloun (via disqualification) in 2021 … Purchased for $350,000 at the Keeneland yearling sale.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
