The $1 million Haskell Stakes (G1) has been a pathway to year-end championships for 11 talented 3-year-olds, from Wajima more than 50 years ago to filly stars Serena’s Song and Rachel Alexandra to a handful of Bob Baffert trainees – Point Given, War Emblem, Lookin At Lucky, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and Authentic.
On Saturday at 5:54 p.m. ET, Monmouth Park on the Jersey Shore [Oceanport, New Jersey], hosts the 59th running of the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, with Further Ado the slight 3-1 morning-line favorite over Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo.
While Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo prepares for the $1.5 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 29, the Haskell is the first summer showcase race for 3-year-olds.
And the field of seven not only features Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and recent Matt Winn Stakes (G2) winner Further Ado and Napoleon Solo, but the return of The Puma [a highly-touted Derby prospect] and Preakness runner-up Iron Honor.
Haskell Day features four other graded stakes races, including the $5.8 million earner Skippylongstocking, the 3-2 favorite in the Monmouth Cup (G3), and Splendora [Yes, Baffert has a horse running in Jersey] in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) as the 3-2 favorite.
Longshots rarely win the Haskell, but it does happen. Three years ago, Geaux Rocket Ride pulled off a 12-1 upset over Derby winner Mage. In 2024, Belmont winner Dornoch won as the 3-1 third betting choice and 2-5 favorite Journalism won last year. Twelve of the last 21 Haskell favorites have won the race.
The Haskell could be affected by the weather. The forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms, with possibly severe thunderstorms in the afternoon. Damaging winds, large hail, and possibly a tornado are also in the forecast for some storms on Friday [July 17]. Temperatures will be in the high 70s; winds at 10-20 mph, and an 80% chance of rain.
With that, here’s a horse-by-horse analysis of the Haskell field by post position with jockey, trainer, and odds:
| 1 | Star Sweeper | 30-1 | Luis Rivera, Jr. | Louis Linder, Jr. |
| 2 | Further Ado | 2-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Brad Cox |
| 3 | Baby Vino | 15-1 | Jorge Vargas, Jr. | Lindsay Schultz |
| 4 | The Puma | 7-2 | Luis Saez | Gustavo Delgado |
| 5 | Iron Honor | 3-1 | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown |
| 6 | Napoleon Solo | 5-2 | Paco Lopez | Chad Summers |
| 7 | Ocelli | 6-1 | Tyler Gaffalione | D. Whitworth Beckman |
Fifth, 22 ½ lengths behind winner Baby Vino in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth, this Rock Your World colt would rock the racing world with a win, or even a top 3 finish. In way over his head but gained entry to the race with a second in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth on May 10.
First or second in his past six races, including eye-opening wins by 20 lengths in breaking his maiden and 11 lengths in winning the Blue Grass, there’s every reason to believe the Gun Runner colt is primed for another big effort. Although he finished a disappointing 11th in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after a bumpy trip, he came back and won the Matt Winn in his stalking style last month.
Broke his maiden at fifth asking, was moved to Monmouth Park, and won the Pegasus Stakes by nearly 11 lengths with a stalking trip to gain free entry into the Haskell. A huge step up in his first graded stakes race.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from The Puma, who was scratched from the Derby on the morning of the race with a leg infection. After being nosed out by Commandment in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 27, the Essential Quality colt was the hot horse heading into the Run for the Roses before the setback. He’s trained well at Gulfstream Park, and the stalker/closer has his chance to return to the group of top-rated 3-year-olds with a win. With regular rider Javier Castellano sidelined with an injury, Luis Saez gets the call.
“The horse is strong now,” trainer Gustavo Delgado said. “The second semester begins with the Haskell, and it is very important for all the trainers and the owners ... My horse is in good health and ready. Now he has the chance to show everybody how good he really is.”
The Nyquist colt won his first two starts at Aqueduct before stepping up and winning the Gotham Stakes (G3). A troubled seventh in the Wood Memorial had him bypassing the Derby and then running second in the Preakness, 1 ¼ lengths behind Napoleon Solo. He’s been bumped around in a few of his races, but his stalking style could work well on Saturday.
Don’t think the sale of the Preakness winner will have much effect on what happens on the track. A 1 ¼-length victory in the Preakness on May 16 elevated Napoleon Solo to the top of the 3-year-old crop. Trainer Chad Summers is still in charge, and Liam’s Map colt has fared well under jockey Paco Lopez. He’s won 3-of-5 with his stalking style, and a clear trip could be a winning one.
Is he ready to break his maiden? The Connect colt is 0-for-9, with losses in six consecutive stakes races. However, he was third in the Wood, qualified for the Kentucky Derby, and led briefly before finishing a close third and was fourth in the Preakness and second in the Ohio Derby (G3). His closing style could put him in the mix if, depending on the pace, which is likely to be set by the longshots.
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
