Tipsheet: 2026 Haskell Stakes

A fantastic field of seven three-year-olds will travel 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Monmouth Park in Saturday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1). In addition to the healthy purse that will be distributed, the winner also receives an automatic berth to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) as part of the ‘Win and You’re In’ event. 

Haskell Stakes Picks

• #6 Napoleon Solo
• #2 Further Ado
• #5 Iron Honor
• #4 The Puma

Haskell Stakes Wagers

• $30 win #6 Napoleon Solo
• $5 exacta key box 6 with 2,4,5
• $1 superfecta box 2,4,5,6

Haskell Stakes Contenders

#1 STAR SWEEPER (30-1): Rock Your World colt was defeated by 22 lengths in the Pegasus S. on the oval last time, and while the Linder trainee is much better than that, he remains an outsider in this spot, nonetheless. 

#2 FURTHER ADO (2-1): Logical morning-line choice from the Brad Cox barn rebounded from a subpar finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to romp in the Matt Winn (G3) in his last performance. The Gun Runner colt has trained swiftly in the interim and will be tough to beat with Irad returning to the silks. 

#3 BABY VINO (15-1): Lindsay Schultz trainee rolled home to a fine 10-length score in the Pegasus S., the local prep for the Haskell, in his latest venture. The improving son of Vino Rosso has never been better, but will need another move forward to challenge this fine group on Saturday. Jorge Vargas, Jr. will be in the controls. 

#4 THE PUMA (7-2): Grade 3 winner will make his first appearance since missing by a nose in the Florida Derby (G1) for conditioner Gustavo Delgado. The chestnut son of Essential Quality drilled a bullet five panels in advance of the race, and he is surely good enough to win it off of workouts. Luis Saez will ride and bring the $150,000 juvenile purchase from off the early tempo in this spot. 

#5 IRON HONOR (3-1): Preakness (G1) runner-up from the barn of Chad Brown has run big in three of his four lifetime starts to date and gives me the impression of a colt who will continue to improve. The son of Nyquist has good early speed combined with a nice turn of foot, and I expect him to be in the mix late with Flavien Prat in the silks. 

#6 NAPOLEON SOLO (5-2): Two-time Grade 1 hero will make his first run for his new ownership group and gets the nod to make good in his local debut. Trained by Chad Summers, the fleet Liam’s Map colt rated early before taking command in the lane in the Preakness last time, but he will likely be the controlling pace of the race on Saturday. His running style fits perfectly in this venue with Paco Lopez on board. 

#7 OCELLI (6-1): Ultra-talented maiden from the Beckman barn ran a winning race in defeat in the Ohio Derby (G3) and will win a race of this magnitude at some point in his lifetime. The bay son of Connect, who was third in the Kentucky Derby three back, will be moving best of all in the latter stages of the race with Tyler Gaffalione in the stirrups.