While the post positions have been drawn for the Saturday’s $1 million NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, there’s still come uncertainty about what the field will look like when the contenders are loaded into the starting gate for the Grade 1 race.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Fierceness, last year’s 2-year-old champion and a multiple Grade 1 winner, is entered and listed as the co-second choice in the morning line at 5/2, along with Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch. But with owner Mike Repole also owning a 50 percent stake in Haskell favorite Mindframe, Pletcher indicated Fierceness could stay at Saratoga and instead run in the Jim Dandy Stakes on July 27, which seems likely.
And to insure there wasn’t a five-horse field if Fierceness is scratched, which would have been the smallest field in 22 years, two last-minute longshots were added to the race in Jasper’s Pride and Just Step On It. At least six horses are needed for superfecta wagering available on a race.
Here are the selections from our USA TODAY Network/Northeast Region staff, with more to come during the week from other experts, including top finishers at the NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship and Horseplayers World Series, so keep checking back.
Haskell Stakes post positions
PP Horse, Trainer, Jockey odds
1. Dornoch, Danny Gargan, Luis Saez 5/2
2. Jasper’s Pride, Chuck Spina, Jomar Torres 30-1
3. Tuscan Sky, Todd Pletcher, Javier Castellano 9/2
4. Timberlake, Brad Cox, Flavien Prat 8-1
5. Fierceness, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez 5/2
6. Just Step On It, Louis Linder, Jr., Florent Geroux 30-1
7. Mindframe, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 9/5
8. Sea Streak, Eddie Owens Jr., Jario Rendon 20-1
Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press sports editor
3. Tuscan Sky – If trainer Todd Pletcher wins this Haskell, it’ll be thanks to his deep bench. Mandaloun after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby by disqualification went on to win both the Haskell prep race Pegasus and the Haskell itself. Tuscan Sky is on the same path and halfway to sweeping the two Monmouth races. His 99 Beyer in the Pegasus was flattered when runnerup Domestic Product Beyered 101 in winning te Grade 3 Dwyer. “Tuscan Sky is historically not a real ambitious workhorse, and I thought he did everything well in hand,” Pletcher said of the colt’s last workout.
1. Dornoch – Six weeks after his Belmont Stakes win, this feel like a maintenance race for Dornoch with the Travers his next target. This one doesn’t have the feel of a serious win candidate.
7. Mindframe – Green but re-rallying in the Belmont Stakes. It’s still difficult to figure out where this one fits in among the top 3 year olds.
8. Sea Streak – Jersey-bred was hung five-wide in the key race Pegasus. “In the last race I told the jockey (Jairo Rendon) to come out running and get over,” trainer Eddie Owens Jr. said. “If I had to do it again I’d say if everybody goes just sit behind and wait.” This is a talented horse who’ll have double-digit win odds.
Steve Edelson, Asbury Park Press racing writer
MIndframe – If Fierceness doesn’t run, this looks like a rematch of the Belmont Stakes, where Mindframe made a strong move on the outside to take the lead in the stretch, lost focus in just his third career race and bore out badly before Irad Ortiz Jr. got the colt running again, falling a half-length short of Dornoch. Mindframe has shown incredible talent, and the Belmont experience can only help.
Dornoch – Look for the speedy Belmont Stakes winner to head to the front and try to dictate the pace. But there’s some speed in the small field, including Pegasus winner Tuscan Sky, who had a 99 Beyer Speed Figure racing on the front end.
Tuscan Sky – Given the way Tuscan Sky ran in the Pegasus, winning easily over Domestic Product, who came back and dominated in the Dwyer, this colt will be a factor throughout.
Sea Streak – The Jersey-bred makes a first career Grade 1 start close to home, with a wide trip leading to a fifth-place finish as the favorite in the Pegasus, after rolling in the Long Branch on opening day.
Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press Sportwriter
7. Mindframe – This could the most talented 3-year-old – more talented than his stablemater Fierceness, who I am assuming will be scratched anyway. He has two 100-plus Beyer speed figures in three starts – all since March 30. He would have won the Belmont Stakes had he not drifted out in the stretch. Should get a perfect stalking trip here.
1. Dornoch – The Belmont winner will be on a send from the rail. His Belmont was good considering he was right on a solid pace, but Mindframe would have beaten him had he not drifted out. Trainer Danny Gargan’s displeasure with the post bothers me a bit.
4. Timberlake – Interesting that trainer Brad Cox entered this Grade 1 winner here after a 3 1/2-month layoff. He was the favorite in the favorite in the Arkansas Derby over the Bob Baffert-trained Muth. Wonder what kind of trip he is going to get.
3. Tuscan Sky – It is obvious he likes the track after his impressive win in the Pegasus with a 99 Beyer Speed Figure. But, have always gotten the impression he was in the second tier of trainer Todd Pletcher’s 3-year-olds.
Greg Giombarrese, Director of Communications, Jersey Shore BlueClaws
7. Mindframe – He should have won the Belmont, but was very green when hit in the stretch, moving out multiple paths and costing him the win. But that was a big ask in just his third career start. With any growth from that experience, he’s going to be awfully tough to beat at a short price.
4. Timberlake – This is a somewhat surprising placement for a horse that hasn’t been out since April, and he will have to run his best race. But it is certainly a confident placement from trainer Brad Cox. The distance is a question, but he should get a good trip in here, and he will be a much better price than the alternatives.
1. Dornoch – Last time was the time to have him, when he won the Belmont at 17-1. He’ll be forwardly placed in here, if not on the lead and you can make excuses for his Derby and Blue Grass prior to his Belmont victory. He just won’t be a very good price.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Betting guide to Haskell at Monmouth Park 2024. Expert picks, analysis
