The eyes of the racing world turn once more to… New Jersey? Regardless of one’s thoughts about the state itself, the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park is one of the preeminent races for three-year-olds in the United States. Won by the likes of American Pharoah, Rachel Alexandra and Holy Bull in past years, it has contributed to the careers of some of the greatest runners in American racing history. Another year presents new opportunities.
In a 2022 Haskell field featuring three Kentucky Derby runners, the colt entering with the most buzz didn’t run in any of the Triple Crown races. Coming off a dominant win in the G1 Woody Stephens, Jack Christopher has electrified the division and will try to stretch out in distance in his fifth career start. His main foe is Taiba, a precocious colt returning to Bob Baffert’s barn after the trainer relinquished him for the Kentucky Derby. A full field beyond them should pose unique challenges as well.
Race 12
Haskell Stakes (G1) for Three-Year-Olds, 1 ⅛ Miles on the Dirt
Post Time: 5:45 p.m. EST
1- Cyberknife
Let’s pretend he didn’t finish 18th in the Kentucky Derby. That’s not a normal race and isn’t useful for our purposes. If bettors toss that race, this is a very solid colt coming into this race off three straight victories. His win in the G3 Matt Winn last month was especially impressive, as he had to chase down loose leader and fellow runner Howling Time on a track that heavily favored speed. The waters get significantly deeper here, but he’s an improving talent and a minor prize is well within reach.
2- Taiba
Starting him in the Kentucky Derby in his third career start was ill-advised, and it’s not all that surprising that he finished 12th after chasing a suicidal pace up front early on. Regardless of his performance in May at Churchill, however, it’s obvious that this colt is a rising star with immediate appeal returning to Bob Baffert’s barn. His victory in the G1 Santa Anita Derby puts him in contention here, and that race occurred all the way back in April. For a horse desperately in need of time to develop, the Haskell may prove to be a coming-of-age moment.
3- One Time Willard
I actually saw this horse run (and lose) in person at Monmouth last Friday when he was favored in a $15,000 optional claiming event. This is a ridiculous spot for him and his chances of winning are as slim as possible. That being said, if he wins this race and then returns to his losing ways against New Jersey statebreds, he’ll be the best-named horse in the history of the sport.
4- Howling Time
This colt was frustrating to watch earlier this year because he had obvious talent at two that simply failed to materialize at three. The pieces finally started to click together in May when he dominated an optional claiming event, and it was nice to see him dig in on the front end in the G3 Matt Winn, a contest he seemed unwilling to lose to fellow runner Cyberknife. That being said, his improved form recently has come with the help of uncontested early leads on speed-favoring tracks. He’s a fast horse, but he isn’t nearly as fast as fellow runners Jack Christopher and Taiba.
5- King of Hollywood
This local runner is slightly more competent than fellow runner One Time Willard. But as a New York bred human, I’m also slightly more competent than fellow runner One Time Willard.
6- White Abarrio
It’s somewhat concerning that this Saffie Joseph trainee does all of his best running in Florida. I can excuse his poor start in the Kentucky Derby, but his defeat to Tawny Port in the G3 Ohio Derby was legitimate. Joel Rosario in the saddle is always encouraging, but it’s clear that the top jockey is coming to Monmouth for Gufo in the G1 United Nations and picking up mounts everywhere else. It’s difficult to see this colt taking on the favorites in any meaningful way.
7- Jack Christopher
Fellow runner Taiba is a star and there are other contenders in the field, but Jack is indisputably best if he can stretch out to 1 ⅛ miles. The question of distance may inspire some bettors to try and beat him, and I won’t say they’re necessarily wrong for doing so, but no one in their right mind is questioning his speed. One might suspect that a duel on the front end could foil him, but he’s proven effective from off the pace multiple times now. It’s his race to lose.
8- Benevengo
He’s not as far out of it as his odds might suggest. Don’t get me wrong — it’s still impossible to see him taking down some of the better runners in this field, but there’s a lot to like too. Barring a tough trip on a sloppy track in the Long Branch Stakes in May, he’s perfect in three starts, including a nice win over talented runner Cyberviking at Tampa Bay Downs three back. His most recent performance in a low-level allowance at Monmouth was overwhelming and his two most recent workouts have been razor sharp.
Order: 7 2 1 8
It would be surprising to see him at 3-2 as they load in, because Jack Christopher is unquestionably the horse to beat in this race. Following a frighteningly effortless victory in the G1 Woody Stephens last month, he leaves very little room for creative handicapping here. Taiba will be the toughest foe he’s ever faced and has the right to contend, but his best races may come later this year. Though I’m confident in that assessment, it’s also worth noting that I said something along those lines before he won the G1 Santa Anita Derby in April. Cyberknife is as solid as any three-year-old on the track this year, but at this level, I can’t see him getting much more than a minor share of the purse. In a race featuring multiple pretenders, Benevengo appears to be a very capable allowance winner taking a massive step up in class. He’s worth a second look.
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