Haskell guide: Journalism faces Preakness rivals, new faces
The shore's greatest stretch, Monmouth Park, hosts the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Saturday for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Preakness winner Journalism returns from a brief post-Triple Crown break to take on seven others, including Preakness runner-up Gosger. He could parlay this race into a Breeders' Cup Classic spot.
Bob Baffert, who will attempt to win the Haskell for the 10th time, sends Goal Oriented into the fray with hot jockey Flavien Prat.
Burnham Square, runner-up in his return in the Matt Winn, turns up here for trainer Ian Wilkes and will have Brian Hernandez jr in the irons.
Local prep winner Bracket Buster steps up in class here for Victoria Oliver and has John Velazquez in the pilot's seat.
Get to know all of the Haskell contenders here.
The Haskell is race 12, post time 5:45 p.m. EDT. Coverage of the Haskell along with the United Nations (G2) will be on NBC beginning at 5 p.m. You can stream the Haskell broadcast on Peacock. FanDuel TV will have live coverage of the Monmouth undercard beginning at noon.
Free past performances for this and more top stakes, provided by Brisnet.
Here are the top lifetime speed figures the Belmont Oaks entrants.
| Post | Horse | Beyer* | TFUS* | Brisnet | HRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bracket Buster | 91 | 114 | 96 | 129 |
| 2 | Journalism | 108 | 122 | 108 | 139 |
| 3 | Wildncrazynight | 80 | 108 | 92 | 116 |
| 4 | Burnham Square | 96 | 117 | 101 | 119 |
| 5 | National Law | 77 | 106 | 87 | 111 |
| 6 | Gosger | 97 | 124 | 106 | 139 |
| 7 | Kentucky Outlaw | 85 | 112 | 102 | 122 |
| 8 | Goal Oriented | 91 | 116 | 104 | 131 |
*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are presented courtesy of Daily Racing Form.
HRN handicappers
Ed DeRosa thinks Journalism is not worth opposing in the Haskell, but there are some long shots who can spark big payoffs when paired with him. Check out the fair odds here.
Speaking of long shots, the Super Screener has a few to kick off the Monmouth card in the Wolf Hill stakes.
Super Screener's Mike Shutty not only sees the Wolf Hill favorites as vulnerable but also a couple long shots as likely winners. That's thanks in part to morning-line second choice Nothing Better projecting to be overly involved in an early pace battle.
Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis face off for the Haskell in Head-to-Head handicapping. They say the Preakness rivals will be tough to beat.
HorseCenter takes a trip to the Jersey shore with Haskell memories from Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman. The guys also share their plays for the Haskell.
Haskell excitement as well as the skinny on Del Mar are featured this week on The Ron Flatter Pod.
Larry Collmus checks in from Del Mar, where he begins his first season as permanent announcer for the seaside track. Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners gives the inside scoop on Journalism's prep for the Haskell plus whether he'll be under consideration for the Pacific Classic (G1). Super Screener's Mike Shutty talks Haskell plus his home track Del Mar. Listen here.
Get your copy of the Super Screener for every weekend through the Breeders' Cup here.