Contenders Line Up for the Haskell Stakes: A Deep Dive
The prestigious Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park is set to be a thrilling contest,featuring a compelling mix of seasoned performers and promising newcomers.This year’s edition promises a captivating battle for supremacy, with several horses poised to make a meaningful statement. Let’s examine the key contenders and assess their chances.
The Frontrunner: Journalism – Can He maintain Momentum?
All eyes will be on Journalism (4-5), the recent Preakness Stakes victor. Following a strong showing with a second-place finish in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, the Curlin colt enters as the clear favourite.His consistency over the past five weeks is undeniable,and a clean trip should see him challenging for the win. However, horse racing is notoriously unpredictable; even the most talented horses aren’t guaranteed success. Currently, horses winning the Preakness and following it up with a haskell victory are rare, with only a handful achieving this feat in the last two decades.
Challenging the Favorite: Baffert’s Rising Star,Goal Oriented
Despite limited experience,Goal Oriented (4-1) has quickly become a horse to watch.Trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, who boasts a record nine Haskell victories, this three-year-old has demonstrated considerable potential in just three starts. While lacking stakes wins, Baffert’s unparalleled ability to prepare horses for Grade 1 races cannot be overlooked. His success rate in these events is a testament to his training prowess – a staggering 32% win rate in major stakes races over the last five years. The outside post position suggests a likely strategy of setting the pace, but whether he possesses the stamina to maintain it remains to be seen. It’s a bold move, reminiscent of American Pharoah’s front-running style in the 2015 Triple Crown.
Serious Threats: Gosger and Burnham Square
Gosger (9-2), with only four career starts, has already proven himself a contender in graded stakes company. His near-miss in the Preakness, where he was overtaken in the final strides, showcased his competitive spirit and potential for growth. Paired with the skilled jockey luis Saez, Gosger possesses the talent and experience to challenge for the top spot.
Burnham square (5-1) brings a solid record of six top-three finishes in eight starts, including victories in the Holy Bull Stakes and Bluegrass Stakes. While his sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby and a closing second in the Matt Winn Stakes suggest he may prefer a slightly shorter distance, his consistent performance indicates he’ll be a factor in the final stretch. He’s a horse that consistently demonstrates the ability to finish strong, much like Mandaloun’s late surge in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Longshots with Potential: Wildncrazynight and Kentucky Outlaw
Wildncrazynight (30-1), a local runner, has shown flashes of promise, finishing second in the Pegasus at Monmouth. However, this will be his frist foray into graded stakes competition, making a victory a significant upset.
Kentucky Outlaw (15-1) has secured three wins in five starts across various tracks, including a victory in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth. While a considerable step up in class, he could be a valuable inclusion in superfecta wagers. His performance mirrors that of horses like Rich Strike,who defied the odds to win the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
The Outsider: National Law – A Steep Challenge
National Law (20-1) enters the Haskell with limited experience in graded stakes races. Despite having a capable jockey in Irad Ortiz Jr., his previous performances at Monmouth Park – two fourth-place finishes – suggest he may struggle to compete with the more seasoned contenders. His chances of victory appear slim in this competitive field.
The Haskell Stakes promises a captivating afternoon of racing, with a diverse field of horses vying for glory. While journalism appears to be the horse to beat, the presence of Baffert’s Goal Oriented and the persistent Gosger ensures a thrilling and unpredictable contest.