Iron Honor: Post 5; Morning Line: 3-1
Trainer: Chad Brown; Jockey Flavien Prat
Wednesday, July 14, 2026
Iron Honor – 2026 Haskell Stakes Profile
Horse: Iron Honor
Pedigree: Nyquist-Orencia, by Blame
Owners: St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence, Cathi Glassman
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Post Position: 5
Morning Line Odds: 3-1
Running Style: Closer
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 95
Career Record: 4-2-1-0
Career Earnings: $629,250
Race: $1 million Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park (59th running)
Distance: 1 1/8 miles (dirt)
Last race: 2nd Preakness Stakes (G1), Laurel Park (May 16)
Iron Honor, who was purchased as a yearling for $475,000 at Keeneland September after earlier bringing $230,000 as a weanling through the same ring the previous November, is well-rested since his runner-up performance in the Preakness two months ago.
That’s not to say he isn’t fit for the 9 furlongs he’ll have to run here. The Nyquist colt really hasn’t missed a beat since his strong performance in Maryland.
It’s nice to see this talented colt back in the sophomore stakes mix, at one point after winning the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct back in February he was strongly being considered for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But after a rough seventh-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2), Brown decided he’d be better of skipping the Run for the Roses.
“He’s coming off a disappointing finish and a tough, tough trip,” Brown said at the time. “Not the prep you need to run in the Kentucky Derby, that’s for sure.”
The Preakness was an exceptional performance, it’s hard to imagine looking back that anyone could have beaten the winner, Napoleon Solo, that day. But here Iron Honor is taking a crack at trying to defeat his chief rival in Monmouth Park’s signature event.
And if we know Chad Brown – and we think we do – this one will be ready.
Iron Honor is primarily a mid-pack type/closer. In the Preakness he chased well off the pace while racing primarily wide in the early going, made a move into the stretch while still well off the rail, switched leads in deep stretch while remaining well behind the winner and flattened out before the wire, though showing to be still much the best of the rest.
A quick pace will help him, and perhaps he can save more ground and not get stuck wide again. Overall, he’s viewed as a consistent, high-class colt who fits well in the Haskell field alongside Preakness winner Napoleon Solo. His recent workouts have been steady, including a solid half-mile breeze on Friday.
He’ll get the pace he likes to run at in front of him and if he can avoid racing wide again and any traffic, he has a strong chance to rally down the lane and at the very least hit the board.
His foray into Grade 1 company last time helps his chances, too. Can he turn the tables on Napoleon Solo?
Iron Honor has been so close to cracking the top tier of 3-year-olds this year, and patient handling has guaranteed freshness and soundness. He’s bred to handle the distance and carries big-time connections who like to win big races. He may be one of those second-half of the year stars with a top performance. Use this one on top and in all exactas and trifectas.
-- By U.S. Racing Team
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.
