First Look: Haskell, CCA Oaks + 8 other weekend graded stakes

It’s Haskell Stakes weekend at Monmouth Park, and the race has interesting storylines. Florida Derby winner Fierceness makes his first start since finishing 15th as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby. Can Dornoch get another Grade 1 win? How will Timberlake fare in his first start since March?

The Haskell is one of five graded stakes at Monmouth Park this weekend, including the Molly Pitcher with Idiomatic. At Saratoga, Thorpedo Anna returns in the Coaching Club American Oaks, one of three graded stakes on tap at the Spa, and Del Mar's summer meet begins Saturday.

Here is an early look at the likely fields of this weekend's graded stakes.

Saturday

Haskell (G1), Monmouth Park, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds, Breeders’ Cup Classic automatic qualifier

If his win-lose-win-lose trend continues, Fierceness could be due for a rebound after finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby. Dornoch has been working at Saratoga since his win in the Belmont Stakes, breezing four furlongs in 47.88 seconds on Saturday. Mindframe was 2-for-2 before coming up a half-length short in the Belmont. Timberlake appeared to be on course for the Kentucky Derby but was given a two-month break after finishing fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1). Tuscan Sky came back from his seventh-place finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) to win the Pegasus by 6 3/4 lengths. Sea Streak was fifth in the Pegasus and is 2-for-8 overall. Bob Baffert, who has won the Haskell nine times, will not have an entry for only the fourth time since 2010.

United Nations (G2), Monmouth Park, 1 3/8 miles (turf), 3-year-olds and up

Fort Washington won the Monmouth Stakes (G3) last out in his second start off a winter break. Tawny Port was third in the Monmouth and is winless in his last six starts. Webslinger got his first win in four starts this year in the black-type Chorleywood Overnight at Churchill Downs, his first start 1 3/8 miles. Far Bridge returned from a seven-month layoff to win his first start of the year but then was third in the Turf Classic (G1) and the Manhattan (G1). Emmanuel won the Canadian Turf (G3) after a seven-month break then was fifth in the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) and sixth in the Arlington (G3).

Monmouth Cup (G3), Monmouth Park, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Tapit Trice has been in training since February but would make his first start since finishing third in the Travers (G1) in August. He was scratched from the Blame (G3), which was won by Highland Falls, also expected here. Stage Raider has made only one start this year, finishing fourth in the Salvator Mile (G3). Surface to Air would make his first graded-stakes start after going 3-for-3 this year. He broke his maiden in his 2024 debut after 11 tries and then won two allowances

Molly Pitcher (G3), Monmouth Park, 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Idiomatic missed by a head to Randomized last out in the Ogden Phipps (G1), only her second loss in her last 11 starts. Kathleen O won the black-type Serena’s Song at this track last out after opening the year with two losses coming off a nearly 10-month break. Soul of an Angel won the Ruffian (G2) by 4 3/4 lengths over Ruffian before finishing fifth in the Ogden Phipps. Misty Veil, an easy winner last out in the listed Lady Jacqueline at Thistledown, is looking for her first graded-stakes win.

Matchmaker (G3), Monmouth Park, 1 1/8 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Delahay, one of three probables for Chad Brown, is 3-for-4 this year and is coming off a win in the Mint Julep (G3). His other two, Tax Implications and Maman Joon, finished 1-2 last out in the Eatontown (G3) at this track. Surprisingly, third in this race last year, is winless in her last nine starts. Papilio would return to graded company after an optional-claiming allowance win last out at Churchill Downs.

Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Saratoga, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-old fillies

Thorpedo Anna looks for her fourth straight graded win this year after scoring in the Fantasy (G2), Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Acorn (G1). Leslie’s Rose will try again to beat her after finishing second by 5 1/2 lengths in the Acorn and 13th in the Oaks. Candied makes her third start since the Breeders’ Cup after a win in the listed Lady’s Secret at Monmouth Park. Intricate is 0-for-3 this year after finishing second last out in the Monomoy Girl. Barbratina’s score last out in an optional-claiming allowance was her first win in five starts since her debut.

Lake George (G3), Saratoga, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-old fillies

Lemon Muffin would try turf for the first time after going 0-for-4 since winning the Honeybee (G3) in February. Oversubscribed has two wins and a second in her three career starts and won the listed Wild Applause last out. Vive Veuve was 2-for-2 this year before a close third in the Wonder Again (G3). Sweet Rebecca was the odds-on favorite in the Wonder Again but finished fifth of six after a rough trip.

San Clemente (G2), Del Mar, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-old fillies

Probables were not available for this race, so the horses listed here are from the nominations. They include four from the Honeymoon Stakes (G2), including winner Circle of Trust and runner-up Sakura Blossom. Loterie broke her maiden last out to bring her record to 5: 1-3-1. Zona Verde hasn’t had a start since finishing sixth in the listed Angels Flight but has been working at Santa Anita.

Sunday

Shuvee (G2), Saratoga, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Raging Sea won the Doubledogdare (G3) in her 2024 debut but finished fourth last out in the Ogden Phipps. Just Katherine is 0-for-2 this year after losing by a neck in the Bed o’Roses (G2). Venti Valentine, who also is listed as a probable for the Molly Pitcher, has finished in the money in her last 10 starts and won the black-type Critical Eye by 6 3/4 lengths at this track and distance last out.

Probables were not available for the Connaught Cup (G2) or the Trillium (G3) on Saturday at Woodbine.