OUR EXPERTS PICKS THE HASKELL STAKES
Saturday’s racing slate is topped by the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, the feature of the Monmouth meet. The Haskell is supported by a bevy of other graded races, among them the Grade 1 United Nations.
This year’s Haskell is one of the more intriguing editions of the storied event. While no Triple Crown race winners are here, the horses that filled out the exacta in all three events are, along with the talented youngster Following Sea.
We asked a couple of our experts for their picks:
- Executive Order looks to bounce back in Maryland JuvenileExecutive Order, a debut winner at Saratoga, leads a nine-horse field into Saturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes at Laurel Park.
G3 Matchmaker
In this nine-furlong turf test, graded winner Always Shopping will try to snap a three-race losing streak, while the lightly raced Great Island hopes to become the third horse out of the G3 Gallorette at Pimlico to win next out. Grade 1 winner Juliet Foxtrot is favored.
Nick Hahn | Ted Black | |
Win | #5 Juliet Foxtrot | #1 Always Shopping |
Place | #6 Nay Lady Nay | #5 Juliet Foxtrot |
Show | #1 Always Shopping | #3 Counterparty Risk |
Grade 3 Monmouth Cup
Ny Traffic, second a nose to Authentic in last year’s Haskell, returns to the Jersey Shore for his third start of the season, having just run second in the G3 Slavator Mile over the strip. One of his key rivals here is Dr Post, who was third in last year’s Haskell.
Nick Hahn | Ted Black | |
Win | #4 Ny Traffic | #5 Dr Post |
Place | #7 Bankit | #7 Bankit |
Show | #5 Dr Post | #4 Ny Traffic |
Grade 3 Molly Pitcher
The top trio from the Grade 2 Ruffian May 2 — Vault, Water White, and Our Super Freak — all renew acquaintances in this spot, but the morning line favorite in here is Mrs. Danvers, a Grade 3 winner as a sophomore. In this wide-open contest, just about any of these could win, and one of the longest shots on the board, Bank Sting, arrives on a four-race win streak.
Nick Hahn | Ted Black | |
Win | #3 Vault | #3 Vault |
Place | #2 Mrs. Danvers | #7 Water White |
Show | #7 Water White | #2 Mrs. Danvers |
Grade 1 United Nations
Morning line favorite Arklow won the G3 Louisville last out to secure a graded stakes victory for the fifth consecutive year, a remarkable feat, and he’s closing in on $3 million in earnings. One key rival here, the speedy Tribhuvan, conjures up images of another Monmouth favorite, two-time UN winner Presious Passion, with his fast early-hang in there late style. He was second in the G1 Manhattan last out.
Nick Hahn | Ted Black | |
Win | #1 Arklow | #1 Arklow |
Place | #8 Master Piece | #10 Tribhuvan |
Show | #10 Tribhuvan | #8 Master Piece |
Grade 1 Haskell
Kentucky Derby runner-up Mandaloun, Preakness runner-up Midnight Bourbon, and Belmont runner-up Hot Rod Charlie square off in today’s Haskell, each in search of his first Grade 1 victory. One relative newcomer they’ll have to contend with is the Todd Pletcher-trained Following Sea, who’s won two straight in commanding fashion but will try stakes company and two turns for the first time here.
Nick Hahn | Ted Black | |
Win | #3 Mandaloun | #4 Hot Rod Charlie |
Place | #4 Hot Rod Charlie | #3 Mandaloun |
Show | #1 Following Sea | #6 Midnight Bourbon |
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