Haskell Stakes 2026: Race Preview and Morning Line Odds
The upcoming $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park has drawn a highly competitive lineup of seven three-year-old thoroughbreds, all vying for victory in this prestigious Grade 1 event. With five horses priced between 2-1 and 6-1 on the morning line, handicappers anticipate a thrilling contest over the 1 1/8-mile distance. Each contender brings a unique story and recent form to the starting gate, promising an exciting day for racing enthusiasts.
Details of the 2026 Haskell Stakes
Scheduled for Saturday, July 14, 2026, the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, a Grade 1 race with a purse of $1 million, will bring together a select group of seven three-year-olds. The morning line favorite, Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, drew post position 2 and is set at 2-1 odds. This colt enters the race on the strength of a triumph in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs and an impressive 11-length win in the Blue Grass (G1), despite an eleventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby due to early race interference. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will travel from Saratoga to ride Further Ado, a horse Cox considers the premier two-turn three-year-old in the nation, aiming for his third Haskell victory.
The second choice at 5-2 odds is Napoleon Solo, who will start from post 6. This son of Liam’s Map recently secured a Grade 1 win in the Preakness Stakes, adding to his Champagne (G1) title as a two-year-old. Now under the new ownership of ESPOIR USA, Napoleon Solo retains jockey Paco Lopez. Trainer Chad Summers noted the horse’s natural speed and acknowledged the challenge of facing Further Ado.
Breaking from post 5, Iron Honor is the 3-1 third favorite. Trained by Chad Brown, who won the Haskell in 2018 with Good Magic, Iron Honor finished second in the Preakness, 1 1/4 lengths behind Napoleon Solo, after running without blinkers. His early career included two wins at Aqueduct, culminating in the Gotham (G3). Flavien Prat will be aboard Iron Honor for the second time, as Brown opted to skip the Belmont Stakes to allow the horse further development.
The Puma, a trainee of Gustavo Delgado, is positioned at 7-2 odds from post 4. Returning from a layoff since March, he placed second in the Florida Derby (G1) following a victory in the Tampa Derby (G3). A leg infection prevented him from running in the Kentucky Derby, but assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. believes the extended rest has been beneficial. Luis Saez will make his debut ride on The Puma.
Starting from the far outside post, Ocelli is listed at 6-1 odds. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione maintains the ride on this maiden, who, despite not yet winning, boasts the highest earnings for a maiden in North America, with $806,800 from nine starts. His impressive record includes top-three finishes in the Wood Memorial (G2), Kentucky Derby, and Ohio Derby (G3), along with a fourth-place finish in the Preakness. Trainer Whit Beckman expressed confidence in Ocelli's continuous improvement.
The field is rounded out by two long-shots: Star Sweeper (post 1, 30-1), who was second in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth and fifth in the Pegasus last month, and Baby Vino (post 3, 15-1), who broke his maiden and then won the Pegasus by 10 lengths, securing a free entry into the Haskell.
The 2026 Haskell Stakes presents an intriguing challenge for horse racing aficionados. With a mix of proven Grade 1 winners, promising contenders returning from layoffs, and a highly-earning maiden, the outcome is far from certain. The strategies of the trainers and the performances of the jockeys will be crucial in determining which horse will claim the coveted $1 million prize and potentially stamp themselves as a leading contender for future major races. The blend of established talent and developing stars makes this race a must-watch event, showcasing the depth and excitement of modern thoroughbred racing.