Study Guide: 2025 Haskell Stakes

Jul 16, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Journalism preparing for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Renee Torbit)

A strong field is entered in Saturday’s $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park. The prestigious 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-olds has attracted four horses who competed in the Triple Crown, including Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni Journalism and Burnham Square.

Let’s review the entries in horse-by-horse fashion:

Bracket Buster

Bracket Buster wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 7
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: BBN Racing
Breeder: David Baxter
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (96) when winning the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $236,318

Sire: Vekoma
Dam: Spring Dance
Color: Bay

Bracket Buster struggles with consistency, but on his best day, he’s a force to reckon with. He trounced Monmouth’s 1 1/16-mile Pegasus S. by seven lengths last month and ran second to Gosger in the Lexington (G3) during the spring, so a top-four Haskell finish isn’t out of the question.

Journalism

Journalism wins the 2025 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Start(s): 8
Wins: 5
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $3,198,880

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Mopotism
Color: Bay

Hands-down the horse to beat is Journalism, who's excellent Triple Crown campaign yielded a win in the Preakness (G1) plus runner-up finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont (G1). He overcame severe traffic troubles to beat Gosger by half a length in the Preakness and will be tough to defeat with a clean trip at Monmouth.

Wildncrazynight

Start(s): 10
Wins: 2
Place: 3
Show: 1

Owner: Flurry Racing Stables
Breeder: New Farm
Trainer: Dan Ward
Jockey: Isaac Castillo

Top Speed Rating: (92) when finishing second in a Monmouth Park maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $182,837

Sire: Midnight Lute
Dam: Proud to Be Wild
Color: Bay

Runner-up to Bracket Buster in the Pegasus, Wildncrazynight will need a step forward to turn the tables and challenge much tougher foes in the Haskell.

Burnham Square

Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Kurtis Coady)

Start(s): 8
Wins: 3
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $1,057,755

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Linda
Color: Bay

Stretch-running Blue Grass (G1) winner Burnham Square finished a respectable sixth in the Kentucky Derby, then ran second by half a length against a small field in the Matt Winn (G3). There should be enough pace in the Haskell field to ensure Burnham Square has a fair chance down the homestretch.

National Law

National Law wins at Parx Racing (Photo by Nikki Sherman/EQUI-PHOTO)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Colts Neck Stables
Breeder: Diamond Creek Farm
Trainer: Jorge Duarte Jr.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (87) when winning a $62,500 allowance optional claimer at Pimlico.
Total Earnings: $70,525

Sire: Constitution
Dam: Susie’s Baby
Color: Gray/roan

National Law struggled a bit when finishing fourth in the Pegasus, and he’ll need to improve upon his career-best 87 Brisnet Speed rating to factor in this deep Haskell field.

Gosger

Gosger wins the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables
Breeder: Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stable
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (106) when finishing second in the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.
Total Earnings: $692,200

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Gloria S
Color: Gray/roan

Lexington winner Gosger ran a giant race in the Preakness. After tracking the pace in second place, he seized a five-length lead in midstretch, only to be run down late by Journalism. Gosger is improving rapidly and warrants serious respect at Monmouth. A top-two finish appears likely.

JOURNALISM WINS THE PREAKNESS! 🏆🌻

pic.twitter.com/sfi7uXdUkY

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 17, 2025

Kentucky Outlaw

Kentucky Outlaw wins the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park. (Photo By Ryan Denver/EQUI-PHOTO)

Start(s): 5
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Felissa Dunn
Breeder: Daniel Thomas Kjorsvik
Trainer: Felissa Dunn
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Parx Racing.
Total Earnings: $146,500

Sire: Outwork
Dam: Fend
Color: Bay

Kentucky Outlaw has competed well against easier competition, winning Monmouth’s Long Branch S. before finishing third in the Delaware Derby at Delaware Park. With his early speed, Kentucky Outlaw figures to play a part in the Haskell pace, but stepping up sharply in class is an obstacle to overcome.

Goal Oriented

Goal Oriented wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Runnymede Farm and CWC Investment 2
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (104) when winning a Churchill Downs allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $231,960

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Bizzy Caroline
Color: Dark bay/brown

After winning his first two starts, Goal Oriented stepped up in class for the Preakness, only to get involved in a severe bumping incident at the top of the stretch. He ultimately finished fourth by 6 3/4 lengths. With a clean trip in the Haskell, he’s eligible to rebound and challenge for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won this race a record nine times.