The road that leads to the Travers Stakes and then the Breeders’ Cup is running through New Jersey. The Haskell Stakes will be run at Monmouth Park in Oceanport with a cast of seven three-year-old colts competing for their share of $1 million. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the starting gates at the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic as this race is part of the “win and you are in” series for the year-end World Championships. Also, this mile and an eighth drive over the East coast dirt normally delivers runners to the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late August. As is the norm, this event that was first run in 1968 offers a highly competitive group. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Haskell will be contested on July 18 and is carded as race 12 with an expected post time of 5:45 pm eastern.
1 Star Sweeper
Trainer: Louis Linder
Jockey: Luis Rivera
Odds: 30-1
This son of Rock Your World is winless in 2026, but has made his last two starts at Monmouth including a fifth-place finish in the Pegasus Stakes in his last start on June 13. Inside post means his only hope is to break well and go for the lead. Has not faced this class of horses before and it is not likely he Sweeps his way to the winner’s circle.
2 Further Ado
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Odds: 2-1
Coming in off an impressive score over a solid field in the Matt Winn Stakes on June 7. Powerful win in the Bluegrass Stakes in April made him the top selection of many in the Kentucky Derby, but he finished a non-threatening 11th. This son of Gun Runner is our top selection as his ability to stalk and pounce are made for Monmouth.
3 Baby Vino
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Jockey: Jorge Vargas
Odds: 15-1
A winner of two in a row including the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth means this son of Vino Rosso might get some play at the windows. Has a stalking style, but will be seeing a higher class of opposition for sure. Water is awfully deep for first foray into graded stakes company. Do not think he is the Baby here.
4 The Puma
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Luis Saez
Odds: 7-2
Hard knocker that had to scratch from Kentucky Derby because of a minor health issue has been in top three in all four career starts. Has not raced since finishing second by a nose in Florida Derby on March 28. Jockey knows how to win big races but the question is how this son of Essential Quality comes back off the layoff. Put him in your trifecta and superfecta for sure.
5 Iron Honor
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Odds: 3-1
Skipped the Kentucky Derby after finishing seventh in the Wood Memorial as the favorite. Ran second in the Preakness as he lacked that closing kick in the stretch. Won first two races of his career and gets one of the best riders in the game. Could be there at the end but we don’t think he wins.
6 Napoleon Solo
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Odds: 5-2
Which Napoleon shows up? The Preakness winner who stalked and motored home and also won his two races as a two-year old by a combined 11 ¾ lengths…or the runner that was a dull fifth in his first two starts as a three-year-old? Recent works indicate he is ready to roll and don’t be surprised if he tries to break to the lead early and attempt to conquer in gate-to-wire fashion. One for all your multi-race and exotic tickets.
7 Ocelli
Trainer: D Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Tyler Gafflione
Odds: 6-1
Winless in nine career starts, but has earned $829,800 on the track. Finished a respectable 3rd in the Wood Memorial, 3rdin the Kentucky Derby, 4th in the Preakness, and 2nd in the Ohio Derby. When will this son of Connect quit his door-knocking and decide to go on in? Not likely it happens here, but he is battle-tested for sure.