Haskell Stakes showdown: Further Ado and Napoleon Solo vie for top honors at Monmouth

Trainer Brad Cox is already touting Further Ado as the nation’s premier three‑year‑old colt capable of two turns. He made the claim at a pre‑race news conference ahead of Saturday’s $1 million Haskell Stakes (Grade 1) at Monmouth Park.

Whether Cox’s praise reflects reality or fleeting enthusiasm remains to be seen.

The Haskell will provide a definitive gauge of Further Ado as he enters the race as the 2‑1 favorite against six opponents, marking the first major post‑Triple Crown event for three‑year‑olds.

The Haskell is a Breeders’ Cup “Win, and You’re In” to the Classic (Grade 1) on October 31 at Keeneland, serving as the centerpiece of New Jersey’s biggest racing day. The post time for the Haskell is 5:45 p.m. ET.

Other contenders such as Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes victor Golden Tempo and Preakness Stakes champion Napoleon Solo round out a field of talented two‑turn sophomores. While Further Ado remains a strong candidate for the lead, many races still lie ahead before the season’s best can be crowned.

Further Ado showed his peak form with an 11‑length victory in the Blue Grass Stakes (Grade 1). That win propelled him to a 5‑1 Derby favorite slot, but a troubled trip derailed his Kentucky Derby run, where he finished 11th.

He recovered with a solid win in the Matt Winn Stakes (Grade 3), prompting Cox to express optimism ahead of the Haskell.

“I’ve loved what I’ve seen from him since,” Cox said earlier this week. “He’s held his condition very well. His weight’s great, and he’s always been a great workhorse.”

Morning‑line odds were unexpected, with Napoleon Solo initially projected as the early favorite. Few would be surprised if he ultimately draws post‑time top spot.

Napoleon Solo asserted dominance down the lane to claim the Preakness, besting 13 rivals. As the hometown favorite, he will be ridden by Paco Lopez, Monmouth’s premier jockey.

After being sold to the enigmatic Espoir USA, Napoleon Solo is no longer the prized mount of long‑time Monmouth patron Al Gold.

Beyond local enthusiasm, Napoleon Solo stands as the only two‑time Grade 1 winner in the Haskell field.

As a two‑year‑old, he made an immediate impact, dominating his debut at Saratoga and then capturing the Champagne Stakes (Grade 1) at Aqueduct with a blistering front‑running performance.

A scorching heat wave has hardened the Monmouth surface, favoring speed and conditioning—traits that suit Napoleon Solo. Scattered showers could alter the track, adding an unpredictable element.

Both Napoleon Solo and Further Ado lack experience on wet surfaces.

Given the circumstances, a 5‑2 morning‑line price for Napoleon Solo appears fair value.

Iron Honor (3‑1) remains a contender after a hard‑fought second to Napoleon Solo in the Preakness.

The Puma (7‑2) is a disappointment after a long break; his last outing was a near‑miss in the Florida Derby (Grade 1), and a skin infection sidetracked him from the Triple Crown. The extended layoff casts doubt on his current form.

Positive notes include a victory over Further Ado in the Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 3), confirming his talent, though concerns linger about his race fitness after the extended break.

The Picks: 1 Napoleon Solo, 2 Further Ado, 3 Iron Honor

Bet Haskell Stakes Undercard

Breeders’ Cup winner Splendora headlines Molly Pitcher

Trainer Bob Baffert surprisingly doesn’t have a runner in this year’s Haskell, a race he’s won a record nine times. It wouldn’t be Haskell Day with a Baffert runner on the program, and he brought a good one for the $500,000 Molly Pitcher (Grade 2) for fillies and mares.

The amazingly consistent Splendora is 8‑4‑0 in 14 career starts, including five stakes victories. She is a multiple Grade 1 winner (the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and the 2026 Beholder Mile).

If Splendora brings her “A Game,” the rest are running for second money.

The Picks: 1 Splendora, 2 Nerazurri, 3 Alpine Princess

Just a Touch Seeks Third Straight on Turf in United Nations

Just a Touch is 2‑for‑2 since Brad Cox switched the 5‑year‑old to the turf, scoring wins in an allowance race at Keeneland and an overnight stakes at Delaware Park.

Not that he was a complete dud on dirt. He was a close second in last year’s Monmouth Cup and in the 2024 Blue Grass to Sierra Leone. It appears he wanted grass all along, and he’s getting it in the $500,000 United Nations (Grade 2) at 1 3/8 miles.

Program Trading is 2‑for‑2 over the Monmouth lawn, having won his debut here and the Monmouth Stakes last month. He is a two‑time Grade 1 winner with victories in the 2023 Saratoga Derby and the 2024 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.

The Picks: 1 Just a Touch, 2 Program Trading, 3 Uncle’s Gold

Skippylongstocking Squares off with Knightsbridge in Monmouth Cup

The $350,000 Monmouth, formerly the Meadowlands Cup (Grade 1), is only a Grade 3 event now, but this renewal is the equal of any older horse stakes this time of year outside Del Mar and Saratoga.

Skippylongstocking is the gallant 7‑year‑old trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. He’s closing in on $6 million in career earnings, a total boosted by his win in the Pegasus World Cup (Grade 1) back in January. His latest effort was a neck loss in the Alysheba Stakes (Grade 2) on the Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) undercard.

Knightsbridge exits as one of his best efforts, even though it came in defeat. He was a game second to Nysos in the Met Mile (Grade 1) at Saratoga.

The Picks: 1 Skippylongstocking, 2 Knightsbridge, 3 Money Game

City Girl Finds Easier Spot in Matchmaker Stakes

City Girl gets big‑time class relief in the Grade 3 Matchmaker for fillies and mares on turf.

The Franch‑bred mare trained by Chad Brown recently ran a competitive fourth in the New York Stakes (Grade 1) at Saratoga.

She looks like a short‑priced favorite considering her international experience and her victory in the Beaugay (Grade 3) at Aqueduct in May.

Sweet Treasure arrives on a two‑race winning streak for trainer Brad Cox that includes a front‑running victory in the Mint Julep (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs.

The Picks: 1 City Girl, 2 Sweet Treasure, 3 Grayosh

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