HorseCenter: Haskell Stakes analysis and top picks

On the occasion of the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman share their favorite memories of the prestigious race this week on HorseCenter. New Jersey natives, both analysts have closely followed the signature race at Monmouth Park for longer than they care to admit and have great remembrances of the best in the long history of the event.

In the 2025 edition of the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, Triple Crown veteran Journalism will be the one to beat as he makes his first start since finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, first in the Preakness Stakes and second in the Belmont Stakes. The Michael McCarthy-trained charge should rule as a heavy favorite Saturday.

A strong supporting cast aims to derail Journalism in the lone 3-year-old race with the win-and-you’re-in designation for this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. Gosger leads the way in his first start since finishing second to Journalism in the Preakness. Burnham Square, Goal Oriented and Bracket Buster are three more to watch in Monmouth’s signature race.

Brian: Matt, I think it is safe to say that the Haskell Stakes is a race that occupies a special place in each of our hearts. Growing up in New Jersey, I have always taken great pride in Monmouth Park’s best race, and it certainly has delivered over the years.

The first memory I would like to share is from the 1981 edition. My allowance came in the form of a betting budget back in those days, and I got $2 a race from my Dad every time we went to the track. Lord Avie, the 2-year-old champion of the year before, had to miss the Triple Crown series because of an injury, but trainer Danny Perlsweig had him back in time to score an easy prep win over the track.

The champ was heavily favored and was a horse I always liked, but in the Haskell, I was all in on another favorite of mine. It was a field of six, and I knew that Five Star Flight could control the pace. Saving my $2 from each race before, I waited patiently for the big race and was thrilled to see my pick easily turn back the charge of Lord Avie down the stretch. My first ever “big” bet was a winner thanks to the speedy Five Star Flight in the 1981 Haskell Stakes.

Matt: Brian, I love your Haskell remembrance especially that you saved $2 from each race before. Some things do not change, you still are successfully selective about the races in which you choose to bet.

One of my favorite editions of the Haskell goes even further back in time to 1976, when the Haskell was known as the Monmouth Invitational. On that day a younger version of Matt loved a horse named Majestic Light, who went to the Haskell for the Phipps Stable with Sandy Hawley coming from Canada to ride. He had won a couple of big races in California and was 9-2 behind Honest Pleasure and was a heavy favorite.

It was in the time that there were long betting lines and as I stood there a young guy with a thick New York accent said to me, “Bet your house on Honest Pleasure.” I politely suggested that that would be a big mistake.

On that day I was correct as Majestic Light closed like a rocket to win by six lengths while setting a track record, and I was delighted to cash a big $20 win-place-show ticket.

Brian: Certainly the best Haskell I ever attended was the 1987 running. The war at the shore pitted Alysheba, Bet Twice and Lost Code against each other, and the trio did not disappoint. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner came with a big late run but could catch only half of the pair who had battled together since the far turn. I lost my money on Lost Code as he finished third to Bet Twice and Alysheba that afternoon, but it was worth it to see the three excellent horses put on a show.

Matt: The 2015 Haskell was a homecoming event for American Pharoah. He already had swept through five races that year, going from two at Oaklawn to the Triple Crown. He was trained by Bob Baffert, of course, and was based in this California barn. But American Pharoah was owned by Ahmed Zayat and campaigned by his family, who are New Jersey residents.

At that point I was working for Horse Racing Nation and was covering the Triple Crown winner. Media were everywhere all week long. There was a large crowd at the barn when he arrived in a van that had been decorated to promote the signature race at the Jersey Shore.

He won easily on that first weekend in August, and it was a day of pride for New Jersey racing that drew a record crowd of just under 61,000.

Brian: More recent editions that stick out for me include when Rachel Alexandra turned back the rally of Summer Bird in the 2009 Haskell. I was in a Chicago OTB with my brother for that one, but it was still a thrill to see my favorite filly romp home in a matchup of the two Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-olds of that season.

And Matt, I was standing next to you for the 2015 running when American Pharoah rolled to victory over Keen Ice and Upstart. It was an honor to see a Triple Crown winner do his thing at our home track, and it was made even better by witnessing it with you, my great friend.

Matt: Nine Haskell winners went on to be named 3-year-old champion along with two champion 3-year-old fillies. Five Haskell winners were honored as horse of the year, Holy Bull, Point Given, Rachel Alexandra, American Pharoah and most recently Authentic in 2020.

Brian: Journalism certainly has the looks and breeding of an outstanding runner, but there is even more under the hood. The son of Curlin answers every bell and digs down for something extra when he needs to. These all are signs of a special racehorse. Sovereignty has had his number in the first two meetings, but I would not be at all surprised if he gets the best of his rival at some point in the future. If not for the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, Journalism would be on a seven-race winning streak, with six graded-stakes scores and a Triple Crown.

Having said all that, every new race is a challenge, and coming back in only six weeks after a grueling Triple Crown series is a test. Happily, he has looked the picture of health with a dappled-out coat and three strong workouts since running second in the Belmont. I believe there is legitimate competition for him on Saturday, but near his best will get the job done in the Haskell.

Matt: The competition for Journalism in the Haskell will have to take a big step forward to beat the horse that we saw run better than all of the 3-year-olds in the Triple Crown except Sovereignty. Also, there is probably just as much reason for Journalism to continue to mature, and if that happens he will be that much harder to beat.

Brian: Gosger is the horse that most interests me of the opposition because of his upside. His pedigree and looks rival that of Journalism, and his progression in each of his first four lifetime starts has been notable. He was 15-1 at Pimlico and ran great, but I still think he is flying a bit under the radar. A near winner in the Preakness, is it possible he is let go as the fourth choice in the Haskell? Working well at Churchill Downs, I am expecting another strong effort from the big gray.

Matt: In the Preakness, Gosger got a great trip. He pressed the pace and took over the lead getting clear in the stretch by five lengths. Journalism had to find a way through the bumping that went on at the top of the stretch. He did so and was able to catch Gosger, whose trainer Brendan Walsh has said was still running hard.

Gosger does have to be considered one of the horses to complete the Haskell exacta. I agree that he will come with better-than-expected odds. Bob Baffert runners in the Haskell always get bet, and Goal Oriented is listed as the second choice in the morning line.

Brian: Coming from off the pace, Burnham Square fires every time and really has been unlucky in his last two. I look for the Grade 1 winner to rally into the exotics without getting the top spot here. Of the rest, Baffert’s Goal Oriented is talented but will be overbet. Both Bracket Buster and Kentucky Outlaw also have speed and ability, but I have a hard time imagining them sticking around for more than a minor share in this top-heavy affair.

Matt:  Burnham Square is the other Grade 1 winner in the field, has career earnings of over $1 million and won twice on the Kentucky Derby trail. That makes for a strong resume for the horse who is the fourth choice on the morning line.

I do like Bracket Buster a little bit as the local horse of interest, but the pace projector says he will be part of a fast pace. In his victory in the Pegasus at Monmouth he was able to get an easy lead and draw off to win by seven lengths.

Brian: Given his demanding schedule the first half of the year, it’s nice to see Journalism feeling good and looking fit for his first test since the Triple Crown. I wish we had more horses like him. I believe the competition on Saturday is solid but not good enough to pick against the deserving favorite. I hate choosing the chalk, but in this race I have to do it. I am predicting a repeat of the Preakness exacta with Burnham Square filling out the trifecta. Journalism is my top pick in the Haskell.

Matt: I cannot find any reason that Journalism would have a form reversal. Trainer Michael McCarthy must feel the same way since he decided to ship across the country and get right back into competition. Gosger, Burnham Square and Bracket Buster will battle to complete the exacta and trifecta under Journalism, who is my top pick to win yet another Grade 1 in the Haskell.