2026 Haskell Stakes Preview: Odds, Contenders & Strategic Insights

The $1 million Haskell Stakes (Grade I) has served as a stepping‑stone to championship qualifications for eleven elite three‑year‑old contenders, tracing a lineage from Wajima half a century ago through notable fillies such as Serena’s Song and Rachel Alexandra, and numerous Bob Baffert‑trained champions including Point Given, War Emblem, Lookin’ At Lucky, American Pharoah, and Authentic.

On Saturday at 5:54 p.m. ET, Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, will host the 59th edition of the one‑and‑one‑eighth‑mile Haskell, featuring Further Ado as the 3‑1 morning‑line favorite, ahead of Preakness Stakes (Grade I) victor Napoleon Solo.

Although Kentucky Derby (Grade I) and Belmont Stakes (Grade I) champion Golden Tempo is slated for the $1.5 million Travers Stakes (Grade I) at Saratoga on August 29, the Haskell remains the inaugural summer showcase for this age group.

The field also includes Blue Grass Stakes (Grade I) and recent Matt Winn Stakes (Grade II) winner Further Ado, Napoleon Solo, the re‑emergence of highly touted Derby prospect The Puma, and Preakness runner‑up Iron Honor.

Haskell Day will also showcase four additional graded stakes, notably the $5.8 million‑earning Skippylongstocking, the 3‑2 favorite in the Monmouth Cup (Grade III), and Splendora — a Baffert‑trained contender in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (Grade II) at odds of 3‑2.

Haskell Favorites Fare Well

While longshots seldom prevail in the Haskell, upsets have occurred. Three years ago, Geaux Rocket Ride captured a 12‑1 upset over Derby winner Mage, and in 2024 Belmont champion Dornoch won as the 3‑1 third‑choice. Overall, twelve of the past twenty‑one Haskell favorites have gone on to victory.

Weather Woes?

Weather conditions may influence the Haskell. Forecasts predict showers and thunderstorms, with the possibility of severe storms in the afternoon, accompanied by damaging winds, large hail, and a marginal tornado risk on Friday, July 17. Temperatures are expected in the high 70s, with winds of 10‑20 mph and an 80 % chance of precipitation.

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 Wine 15-1 Jorge Vargas, Jr. Lindsay Schultz
4 The Cougar 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

1 Star Sweeper [Luis Rivera, Jr., Louis Linder, Jr., 30-1]

Finished fifth, 22½ lengths behind winner Baby Vino in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth, this Rock Your World colt could shock the racing world with a victory or a top‑three finish. Though still new to graded stakes, he secured entry with a second-place finish in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth on May 10.

2 Further Ado [Irad Ortiz, Jr., Brad Cox, 2-1]

He has finished first or second in each of his last six starts, highlighted by a 20‑length maiden breaker and an 11‑length victory in the Blue Grass Stakes. Although he placed 11th in the Kentucky Derby after a troubled trip, he rebounded with a winning stalking performance in the Matt Winn Stakes the following month.

3 Baby Vino [Jorge Vargas, Lindsay Shultz, 15-1]

After breaking his maiden at odds of fifth, the horse was transferred to Monmouth Park and captured the Pegasus Stakes by nearly 11 lengths, employing a stalking trip that secured free entry into the Haskell. This performance represents a significant progression into graded stakes competition.

4 The Puma [Luis Saez, Gustavo Delgado, 7-2]

The Puma, who was withdrawn from the Derby on the morning of the race due to a leg infection, had been the leading contender after a narrow defeat by Commandment in the Florida Derby (Grade I) on March 27. Now trained at Gulfstream Park, the stalker/closer aims to re‑enter the top tier of three‑year‑olds with a win. With regular rider Javier Castellano unavailable due to injury, Luis Saez will take the mount.

“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.”

5 Iron Honor [Flavien Prat, Chad Brown, 3-1]

The Nyquist colt opened his career with two victories at Aqueduct before stepping up to win the Gotham Stakes (Grade III). A challenging seventh in the Wood Memorial led him to skip the Derby and finish second in the Preakness, 1¼ lengths behind Napoleon Solo. Though occasionally bumped, his stalking style may prove effective on Saturday.

6 Napoleon Solo [Paco Lopez, Chad Summers, 5-2]

The sale of the Preakness winner is unlikely to impact Saturday’s outcome. Napoleon Solo, a 1¼‑length Preakness victor on May 16, now tops the three‑year‑old division. Trainer Chad Summers remains in charge, with jockey Paco Lopez guiding the Liam’s Map‑sired colt, which has posted three wins from five starts using a stalking tactics, making a clear trip a potential path to victory.

7 Ocelli [Tyler Gaffalione, Whit Beckman, 6-1]

The Connect colt has yet to break his maiden, going 0‑for‑9 with six consecutive stakes defeats. However, he placed third in the Wood, qualified for the Kentucky Derby, led briefly before finishing a close third, was fourth in the Preakness, and second in the Ohio Derby (Grade III). Given a speed‑favoring scenario, his closing style could place him in contention.

The Picks: 1 Further Ado, 2 Ocelli, 3 Napoleon Solo

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.

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