What is the Haskell Stakes?
The Haskell Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race held annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Contested at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt for 3-year-olds, the $1 million race is the signature event of the Monmouth Park meeting and one of the most important races for the sophomore division after the Triple Crown.
First contested in 1968 as the Monmouth Invitational Handicap, the race later became the Haskell Invitational in honor of former Monmouth Park president and chairman Amory L. Haskell. Its list of winners includes Triple Crown champions, Breeders' Cup Classic winners, champions, and some of the most accomplished 3-year-olds in modern American racing.
When is the Haskell Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Haskell Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Monmouth Park. The 59th running will be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt with a purse of $1 million. The Haskell is scheduled as Race 12 with an approximate post time of 5:45 PM Eastern Time.
2026 Haskell Stakes Field and Post Positions
The official post-position draw for the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at 12:00 p.m. EDT at Monmouth Park. The draw will finalize the starting gate assignments for the 59th running of one of the nation's premier races for 3-year-olds, set for Saturday, July 18.
| 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 |
While the official field will not be confirmed until entries are drawn, Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo, Pegasus Stakes winner Baby Vino, and multiple graded stakes winner Further Ado headline the group of leading contenders expected to compete. Additional runners will be confirmed following the July 14th, 2026, draw.
Once the draw is complete, this page will be updated with the official field, post positions, jockey assignments, and morning-line odds.
Leading Haskell Stakes Contenders
Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo is expected to enter the Haskell as one of the leading members of the 3-year-old division. The two-time Grade I winner has not raced since defeating Iron Honor by 1 1/4 lengths in the Preakness Stakes and is scheduled to be ridden by Paco Lopez.
Iron Honor is expected to return after finishing second to Napoleon Solo in the Preakness. The Chad Brown trainee previously won the Grade III Gotham Stakes and will attempt to reverse the Preakness result at Monmouth Park.
Further Ado enters the Haskell picture as a three-time graded stakes winner. After winning the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes, the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, and the Grade III Matt Winn Stakes, he brings one of the strongest graded stakes records among the expected starters.
Baby Vino earned his opportunity with a decisive 10 3/4-length victory in the Pegasus Stakes, Monmouth Park's traditional local prep for the Haskell. Ocelli, Star Sweeper, and Tampa Bay Derby winner The Puma are also among the horses currently expected to compete.
Haskell Stakes History & Notable Winners
Journalism gave trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli a dramatic victory in 2025, rallying from near the back of the field to defeat Gosger in 1:48.15. Dornoch followed his Belmont Stakes victory by defeating Mindframe in the 2024 Haskell in 1:50.31 for trainer Danny Gargan and jockey Luis Saez.
Geaux Rocket Ride won the 2023 running for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Mike Smith, completing the distance in 1:49.52. Cyberknife set the Monmouth Park track and Haskell stakes record in 2022, stopping the clock in 1:46.24 under Florent Geroux. Mandaloun was declared the official winner of the 2021 edition following the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Robert V., Elayne Stables Five, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick | 1:48.15 |
| 2024 | Dornoch | Luis Saez | Danny Gargan | West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, Two Eight Racing, LLC & Pine Racing Stables | 1:50.31 |
| 2023 | Geaux Rocket Ride | Mike E. Smith | Richard E. Mandella | Pin Oak Stud | 1:49.52 |
| 2022 | Cyberknife | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Gold Square LLC | 1:46.24 |
| 2021 | Mandaloun | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Juddmonte | 1:47.38 |
| 2020 | Authentic | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Spendthrift Farm, MyRacehorse Stable, Madaket Stables & Starlight Racing | 1:50.45 |
The Haskell Stakes remains the centerpiece of the Monmouth Park season and one of the defining Grade I races for 3-year-olds between the Triple Crown and the major late-summer championship events.
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