The one million dollar Grade One Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park is set to deliver another unforgettable showdown as the best three-year-old Thoroughbreds battle over one and one-eighth miles for summer racing supremacy. With Triple Crown stars colliding against rapidly improving newcomers, the 2026 edition promises one of the deepest and most competitive Haskell fields in recent memory. Adding even more to the stakes, the winner will secure an automatic, fee-paid berth into the seven million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland through the prestigious “Win and You’re In” program. So, which contender has the pedigree, speed, tactical advantage, and current form to conquer Monmouth Park and take a giant step toward championship glory? Let us count down the top ten leading contenders for the 2026 Haskell Stakes.
At number one, Napoleon Solo has produced one of the most fascinating three-year-old campaigns of the 2026 racing season. His journey has featured brilliant early success, an unexpected dip in form during the spring, and an impressive return to the top at the highest level. Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock, the striking gray colt announced his talent as a two-year-old by winning his debut at Saratoga Race Course by five and one-quarter lengths before completely dominating the Grade One Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct by six and one-half lengths. That commanding performance earned him a 99 Equibase Speed Figure and established him as one of the division’s early stars. His sophomore season, however, began on a disappointing note. After a four-month layoff, he faded to fifth in the Grade Two Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, finishing eleven and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, and followed that effort with another fifth-place finish in the Grade Two Wood Memorial Stakes. Instead of pursuing the Kentucky Derby, Napoleon Solo missed the race because of a lack of qualifying points and a minor bruised foot. Trainer Chad Summers patiently regrouped the colt and pointed him toward the Grade One Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, where Napoleon Solo rewarded that confidence. Sent off at generous seven to one odds, he pressed the early pace set by Taj Mahal before taking command in the stretch and holding off Iron Honor to win by one and one-quarter lengths. He completed the one and three-sixteenths miles in one minute, fifty-eight point sixty-nine seconds while earning a 97 Equibase Speed Figure and a 96 Beyer Speed Figure, proving he had rediscovered the elite form he displayed as a juvenile. Shortly after that victory, owner Al Gold sold the colt in a private and undisclosed transaction, although he remains in the capable hands of Chad Summers. His pedigree makes him an outstanding fit for the Haskell Stakes, as he is by the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map out of the stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Atomic Blonde, combining exceptional cruising speed with proven route stamina. His naturally aggressive pressing style is ideally suited to the speed-friendly nature of Monmouth Park, and with perennial Monmouth standout Paco Lopez keeping the mount, Napoleon Solo appears perfectly positioned to handle every aspect of the race. As a classic winner entering the Haskell in peak condition, he is expected to be one of the race’s biggest attractions with projected morning-line odds of approximately seven to two.
Coming in at number two, Renegade has established himself as one of the most consistent and naturally gifted three-year-olds in the country. Owned by Robert and Lawana Low together with Mike Repole’s Repole Stable, the colt was purchased for nine hundred seventy-five thousand dollars at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and has rewarded that investment with outstanding performances throughout the spring. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Renegade first crossed the finish line in front in an Aqueduct allowance race before being disqualified, but quickly erased that disappointment by capturing the Listed Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs by three and three-quarter lengths. He then announced himself as a true Grade One contender with a spectacular last-to-first rally in the one point five million dollar Arkansas Derby, drawing away to win by four widening lengths as the even-money favorite. Throughout the Triple Crown series, Renegade repeatedly came close to the biggest prizes without quite breaking through. In the Kentucky Derby, he overcame the historically difficult inside post position, absorbed significant bumping early, fought through severe traffic, and under the patient ride of Irad Ortiz Junior launched a sweeping ten-wide rally entering the stretch before falling just a neck short of Golden Tempo. That remarkable effort earned him a 100 Equibase Speed Figure. In the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, he started as the one point seventy-five to one favorite, stalked the pace throughout, but lacked his trademark explosive finish and settled for third behind Golden Tempo and Commandment. Bred for excellence, the bay colt is by the dominant sire Into Mischief out of the graded stakes-winning Curlin mare Spice Is Nice, and his elite ability is reflected by the outstanding 107 Equibase Speed Figure he earned in the Arkansas Derby. The Haskell Stakes may provide his perfect opportunity because Golden Tempo is not expected to be in the field, removing the rival who has repeatedly denied him. With abundant early speed expected, the one and one-eighth-mile distance should create the ideal pace scenario for his powerful closing style. Keeping Irad Ortiz Junior in the saddle only strengthens his credentials, and most handicappers expect Renegade to start as either the morning-line favorite or a heavily supported second choice at approximately two to one after facing the toughest competition throughout the Triple Crown season.
Taking the number three spot, Further Ado brings a combination of explosive talent and enormous upside that makes him one of the most dangerous horses in the Haskell Stakes. Trained by champion conditioner Brad Cox for Spendthrift Farm, the chestnut colt was initially purchased for two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars as a yearling before being resold for five hundred fifty thousand dollars as a two-year-old in training. A son of Gun Runner, Further Ado immediately displayed exceptional ability by crushing his maiden field at Keeneland by an astonishing twenty lengths, instantly placing himself among the nation’s most exciting prospects. He followed that remarkable debut with a professional one and three-quarter length victory in the Grade Two Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. His three-year-old campaign has featured extraordinary highs along with one disappointing setback. After finishing second in the Grade Three Tampa Bay Derby, beaten only three-quarters of a length by The Puma, he delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season in the one point twenty-five million dollar Grade One Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, winning by an incredible eleven lengths while earning a superb 107 Equibase Speed Figure and becoming one of the leading Kentucky Derby favorites. However, the longer one and one-quarter-mile distance at Churchill Downs proved too demanding after a troubled trip, and he finished a non-threatening eleventh as the five to one favorite. Rather than continue through the remainder of the Triple Crown, Brad Cox wisely redirected him to the Grade Three Matt Winn Stakes over one and one-sixteenth miles, where Further Ado returned to winning form with a polished two-length victory as the odds-on favorite. His pedigree also suggests there is even more improvement to come. As a son of Gun Runner out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Dreamer, he belongs to a bloodline known for developing throughout the second half of the three-year-old season. His powerful cruising speed allows him to overwhelm rivals approaching the far turn, and if he can reproduce the extraordinary performance he delivered in the Blue Grass Stakes, his maximum potential may exceed almost every other horse expected to line up in the Haskell. His projected morning-line odds of around four to one accurately reflect both his outstanding talent and the slight inconsistency he displayed on the first Saturday in May.
At number four, The Puma enters the Haskell Stakes with plenty of unfinished business and enormous untapped potential. Trained by Gustavo Delgado, the man who guided Mage to victory in the 2023 Kentucky Derby, The Puma generated tremendous excitement on the Triple Crown trail before a minor leg swelling caused by a skin infection forced him to be scratched on the morning of the Kentucky Derby. Although he has made only four career starts, his accomplishments already stand out. Purchased for one hundred fifty thousand dollars, the colt is by champion Essential Quality out of the Declaration of War mare Eve of War. He broke his maiden in impressive fashion by capturing the Grade Three Tampa Bay Derby, producing a powerful last-to-first rally to defeat Further Ado. He then stepped into the one million dollar Grade One Florida Derby, where he unleashed a sweeping five-wide move around the far turn, surged to the lead in the final furlong, and was narrowly defeated by the highly regarded Commandment by only a nose in a thrilling photo finish. That courageous effort produced a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure along with a 97 Equibase Speed Figure, firmly establishing him as one of the leading horses in this division. The Puma combines the qualities of a patient stalking runner and a powerful closer, a style that requires precise timing from regular jockey Javier Castellano, who has managed him expertly throughout his career. Because he has not raced since the Florida Derby in late March, he enters the Haskell as one of the freshest horses in the field, although questions naturally remain about his race fitness against rivals who have competed throughout the Triple Crown season. Even so, he is the only horse in this field that has previously defeated Further Ado, making him an intriguing value contender. With projected morning-line odds of approximately eight to one, The Puma stands out as an excellent option for bettors looking beyond the favorites.
Coming in at number five, Crude Velocity brings explosive speed and plenty of intrigue as one of the biggest wildcards in the Haskell Stakes. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who owns an unmatched record of nine Haskell Stakes victories, this talented bay colt has been a dominant force in one-turn races. Racing for CSLR Racing Partners, Crude Velocity is by Beau Liam out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Sweetnsour Kitty. His biggest victory came in the Grade Two Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs, where he battled relentlessly through the stretch to score in a final time of one minute, thirty-three point eighty-seven seconds. That outstanding performance earned him an elite 120 Racing Post Rating along with a 102 Equibase Speed Figure. His only defeat came in his most recent appearance in the prestigious Grade One Woody Stephens Stakes over seven furlongs at Saratoga. Sent away as the heavy ten to eleven favorite, he fought hard throughout the race but ultimately finished second by five and three-quarter lengths behind the brilliant Englishman while still recording a strong 109 Equibase Speed Figure. The Haskell Stakes now presents an entirely different challenge because Crude Velocity must stretch his brilliant early speed around two turns over one and one-eighth miles for the first time in his career. Bob Baffert has successfully executed this sprint-to-route strategy before, most notably with Bayern, who also exited the Woody Stephens before wiring the Haskell field in New Jersey. Crude Velocity has the natural gate speed to seize immediate control, and with regular rider Florent Geroux expected to send him straight to the front, the plan will likely be to establish an uncontested lead and force the closers to catch him over Monmouth Park’s traditionally speed-friendly dirt surface. The biggest question remains whether his sprint-oriented pedigree can support the added distance, but his exceptional talent makes him a dangerous contender with projected morning-line odds of around six to one.
Number six, Iron Honor perfectly fits the patient developmental style that has become a trademark of trainer Chad Brown. Carefully managed and steadily improving throughout his career, this talented colt appears to be reaching his peak just in time for the lucrative summer stakes season. Purchased for four hundred seventy-five thousand dollars as a yearling from the Gainesway consignment by St. Elias Stable, William Lawrence, and Glassman Racing, Iron Honor is a son of the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of the Blame mare Orencia. He announced himself as a serious classic prospect by winning the Grade Three Gotham Stakes over one mile at Aqueduct in only his second career start, battling past Crown the Buckeye in a determined stretch duel as the four to five favorite. His momentum briefly stalled when he finished a disappointing seventh as the favorite in the Grade Two Wood Memorial over one and one-eighth miles. Instead of pressing on to the Kentucky Derby, Chad Brown skipped the race and made an important adjustment by removing the blinkers to help the colt settle more comfortably during the early stages of his races. That decision paid immediate dividends in the Grade One Preakness Stakes. Making his first start under Flavien Prat, Iron Honor relaxed beautifully behind the leaders before producing a powerful late rally to finish a clear second behind Napoleon Solo. His performance earned a 95 Equibase Speed Figure and confirmed that he possesses both the stamina and the class needed to compete successfully at the Grade One level. His newfound tactical versatility allows him to adapt to any pace scenario, meaning he can capitalize whether Crude Velocity or Napoleon Solo set demanding early fractions. Arriving fresh, improving with every start, and continuing on an upward trajectory, Iron Honor deserves serious respect as a leading win contender and is projected to open at approximately five to one on the morning line.
At number seven, Class President enters the Haskell Stakes as one of the most overlooked horses in the three-year-old division despite possessing undeniable talent. Campaigned by WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and CHC, Incorporated, the Todd Pletcher trainee appeared ready for a major spring campaign before circumstances interrupted his progress. Sired by the outstanding Uncle Mo out of the Quality Road mare Top Quality, Class President made an immediate impression by winning his maiden in convincing fashion before finishing a strong second in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes. His breakthrough performance came in the one million dollar Grade Two Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Guided by Hall of Fame jockey John R. Velazquez, he tracked the early pace before surging to the front and battling all the way to the wire, defeating Southwest Stakes winner Silent Tactic by a determined nose. That gritty victory earned him a 99 Equibase Speed Figure and placed him among the leading contenders on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Unfortunately, minor bone bruising discovered in April forced Todd Pletcher to scratch him from the Blue Grass Stakes. WinStar Farm Chief Executive Officer Elliott Walden confirmed that the colt would receive a sixty-day layoff, removing him entirely from Triple Crown consideration to protect his long-term health. Now fully recovered and reportedly training with tremendous energy, Class President returns with fresh legs for the summer stakes season. He has already demonstrated the stamina needed to handle longer distances, while his determination during the Rebel Stakes stretch battle highlighted his exceptional competitive spirit. With John R. Velazquez once again understanding exactly how to get the best from him, the only question surrounds his fitness after the layoff. Even so, his natural class is unquestionable, making him an appealing value play with projected morning-line odds of approximately ten to one.
Coming in at number eight, Baby Vino has emerged as one of the fastest-improving horses in the Haskell Stakes field. Trained by Lindsay Schultz for Arkansas-based Cosmo Stables, this late-developing colt has made enormous strides over the past few months. A son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso out of the Discreetly Mine mare Discreetly Grand, Baby Vino needed five starts before finally breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park on May first, producing an authoritative performance that earned a 99 Equibase Speed Figure. Since then, his rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Making a significant jump in class for the Listed NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, the premier local prep for the Haskell Stakes, Baby Vino delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season. Aggressively ridden by Monmouth Park’s leading jockey Paco Lopez, he completely overwhelmed the field, drawing away to score by an astonishing ten and three-quarter lengths. He covered the one and one-sixteenth miles in one minute, forty-four point thirty-six seconds and secured an automatic, fee-paid entry into the one million dollar Haskell Stakes. Although he has not yet faced Grade One competition, his recent speed figures clearly suggest he belongs among these elite rivals. His proven affinity for the Monmouth Park dirt surface provides a major advantage over horses shipping in from other circuits, while the combination of Paco Lopez’s local expertise and Baby Vino’s rapid improvement makes him an extremely dangerous contender.
Number nine, Hedge Ratio represents another steadily improving prospect from the powerful Chad Brown stable. Racing for the prominent Klaravich Stables, Incorporated, this talented colt has quietly built a résumé that deserves serious Grade One consideration. By champion sprinter Speightstown out of the Hard Spun mare Zydeco Mama, Hedge Ratio combines impressive cruising speed with the tactical stamina needed for middle-distance races. After requiring three starts to earn his first victory, he broke his maiden at Aqueduct while recording an 88 Equibase Speed Figure. He quickly continued his rise by capturing an allowance optional claiming race at Aqueduct with a sharp 97 Equibase Speed Figure. Brown then deliberately shipped him to Monmouth Park for the Long Branch Stakes, a traditional Haskell prep. There, Hedge Ratio engaged in a thrilling stretch battle with the eleven-to-one outsider Star Sweeper, refusing to surrender before grinding out a head victory in a final time of one minute, forty-two point forty seconds. That determined effort produced an impressive 100 Beyer Speed Figure along with a 91 Equibase Speed Figure, placing him firmly among the legitimate Haskell contenders. Brown’s decision to skip the remaining Triple Crown races in favor of carefully targeted local preparations reflects a strategy designed to ensure Hedge Ratio becomes completely comfortable with the Monmouth Park surface. Although his pedigree leans toward sprinting through Speightstown, his success at one and one-sixteenth miles suggests he has every chance of handling the additional sixteenth of a mile required in the Haskell Stakes.
Rounding out the top ten is Schoolyardsuperman, the third member of Chad Brown’s talented Haskell team. This striking gray and roan colt is by the outstanding Practical Joke out of the Tiznow mare Tizlegal, and he has developed a reputation as a remarkably honest and consistent performer throughout the New York and New Jersey racing circuits, even though victories at the highest stakes level have remained difficult to achieve. Originally purchased as a yearling for one hundred fifty thousand dollars before later failing to meet his reserve as a two-year-old, Schoolyardsuperman announced his ability with an impressive five and three-quarter length maiden victory at Aqueduct, earning a strong 95 Equibase Speed Figure. He then stepped into graded stakes company in the Withers Stakes, where he finished fourth before returning to allowance competition and running a close second, beaten only one length by his highly regarded stablemate Hedge Ratio. Most recently, he secured an automatic berth in the Haskell Stakes by finishing a clear second behind the dominant Baby Vino in the Pegasus Stakes, earning a 96 Equibase Speed Figure. Although he finished ten and three-quarter lengths behind the winner, he also finished ten and three-quarter lengths ahead of the remainder of the field, demonstrating that his overall level of ability is stronger than the final margin alone might suggest. With Manuel Franco aboard, Schoolyardsuperman is most effective when settling in mid-pack before launching his run. The Haskell Stakes represents the toughest challenge of his career, and he will need significant improvement to match proven stars such as Renegade and Napoleon Solo. For that reason, he is expected to be one of the longest-priced runners in the field, with projected morning-line odds likely to exceed thirty to one.
OUTRO
The 2026 Haskell Stakes promises to be a fascinating tactical battle, with Crude Velocity and Napoleon Solo expected to set a blazing early pace that could completely shape the outcome of the race. If those front-runners push each other too hard, elite closers like Renegade and The Puma could be perfectly positioned to capitalize, while versatile stalkers such as Iron Honor and Class President will be waiting for the ideal moment to strike. Do not overlook local standouts Baby Vino and Hedge Ratio either, as their proven success over the Monmouth Park surface makes them dangerous upset candidates capable of shaking up the division. Thank you so much for watching and let us know in the comments which horse you believe will win the 2026 Haskell Stakes and earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.