Haskell odds and analysis: Who else besides Journalism?

Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park drew a field of eight 3-year-olds led by Journalism, who was the only horse to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown series.

The Haskell field of eight has five stakes-winners, including a pair of Grade 1 winners and another one who has a Grade 3 victory. There are two millionaires and three who ran in a Triple Crown race, with two that appeared in the Kentucky Derby.

The 1 1/8-mile Haskell is a win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Here is a full-field analysis for the Haskell Stakes with the official track morning-line odds. Monmouth Park’s signature race is scheduled as race 12 of 14 with post time set for 5:45 p.m. EDT.

1. Bracket Buster, 10-1. Vekoma – Victoria Oliver / John Velazquez – 7: 2-1-1 - $236,318. Bracket Buster was geared down in his last start to win the Pegasus by seven lengths on a sloppy and sealed Monmouth Park main track in the local prep race for the Haskell. He appeared twice on the Kentucky Derby trail, finishing fifth in the Street Sense (G3) in his final start as a 2-year-old and this year in the Lexington (G3) in April, where he was in front most of the way but was passed by Gosger. Two-time Haskell-winning jockey John Velazquez gets back on board. Live long shot.

2. Journalism, 4-5. Curlin – Michael McCarthy / Umberto Rispoli – 8: 5-2-1 - $3,198,880. Journalism finished second in the Kentucky Derby, first in the Preakness and second in the Belmont, which has him ranked as the second best 3-year-old in the country. Before the Triple Crown, he won four races in a row in California, including the Santa Anita Derby (G1). In eight starts, the son of Curlin never ran worse than third, and that happened in his first career start. Top pick.

3. Wildncrazynight, 30-1. Midnight Lute – Dan Ward / Isaac Castillo – 10: 2-3-1 - $182,837. This New Jersey-bred is the most experienced horse in the field, with 10 starts. He broke his maiden at Delaware Park last year and won an allowance against state-breds at Monmouth in May. He made three starts in stakes at Oaklawn against 3-year-olds, with a fourth-place finish as his best. A second in the Pegasus motivated trainer Dan Ward to run him in the Haskell. Toss.

4. Burnham Square, 5-1. Liam’s Map – Ian Wilkes / Brian Hernandez Jr. – 8: 3-2-1 - $1,057,755. Burnham Square is a Grade 1-winning millionaire with two victories on the Kentucky Derby trail in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park and the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland. In the run for the roses he was sixth after encountering trouble at the half-mile pole. Last seen, this son of Liam’s Map was second in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs. He is the other Grade 1 winner in the Haskell field, which should clearly make him the second choice in the wagering. Use underneath.

5. National Law, 20-1. Constitution – Jorge Duarte Jr. / Irad Ortiz Jr. – 5: 2-0-0 - $70,525. National Law became an allowance winner at Pimlico in his first start as a 3-year-old. Last seen he was fourth in the Pegasus behind Bracket Buster and Wildncrazynight. He was bred and currently trains at Colts Neck Stable, which is just a few miles from Monmouth Park. Toss.

6. Gosger, 9-2. Nyquist – Brendan Walsh / Luis Saez – 4: 2-2-0 - $692,200. Gosger has done very little wrong in his four-race career. He broke his maiden in his second try at Gulfstream after running second in his debut. He moved on to win the Lexington (G3) ahead of Bracket Buster. Most recently in the Preakness he pressed the pace and was ahead of the trouble that happened at the top of the stretch while racing on the lead at that point. After Journalism found his way through the bumping, he was able to run down Gosger to win by a half-length. After two months off, Gosger should be expected to move forward as a more mature 3-year-old. Use underneath.

7. Kentucky Outlaw, 15-1. Outwork – Felissa Dunn / Florent Geroux – 5: 3-0-1 - $146,500. Kentucky Outlaw won his first two starts at Parx Racing in the late winter with a maiden victory and an allowance. He was fifth in the Federico Tesio in April. The blinkers went on for his win in the Long Branch at Monmouth Park and a third in the Delaware Derby after setting the pace. The nine-furlong distance against a Grade 1 field might be too much to ask. Toss.

8. Goal Oriented, 4-1. Not This Time – Bob Baffert / Flavien Prat – 3: 2-0-0 - $231,960. Goal Oriented won his first two races, a Santa Anita maiden in April with a late rally and then an allowance at Churchill on the lead. He tried the Preakness in his third start and was fourth at every call. Jockey Flavien Prat had to check during the bumping incident in the second leg of the Triple Crown but appeared to be backing up badly at that point in the race. Baffert had him run a series of fast five-furlong works, probably to put more early speed in him. Baffert won the Haskell nine times beginning in 2001 with Point Given and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in 2015. But his most recent victory was in 2020 with Authentic. He is likely to be overbet as Baffert tries to win another Haskell. No betting value here.

Summary: Historically, the Haskell winner comes from the barn of a big-name trainer like Bob Baffert, Brad Cox, Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher or Richard Mandella. In 2025, Baffert sends Goal Oriented as he tries to win the big race for the 10th time.

Journalism is the horse to beat in the Haskell no matter how you choose to handicap the race. Most of the 3-year-olds in this field would need to improve to be a win contender, but who is to say that Journalism will not also be able to take a step forward?

At 10-1 on the morning line, Bracket Buster could provide some value in the second position in the exacta with Journalism as the top pick.