Study Guide: 2026 Haskell Stakes

Jul 15, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Napoleon Solo was back to his brilliant best in the Preakness (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Triple Crown alumni will face off in Saturday’s $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park.

The early favorite is Further Ado, who started in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He’ll meet Preakness (G1) 1-2 finishers Napoleon Solo and Iron Honor, with Derby and Preakness participant Ocelli adding further depth to the field.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse tour through the full Haskell lineup:

Star Sweeper

Start(s): 9
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Bran Jam Stable and David W. Clark
Breeder: Tami D. Bobo
Trainer: Louis Linder Jr.
Jockey: Luis Rivera Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing second in the Long Branch S. at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $151,250

Sire: Rock Your World
Dam: Tapless
Color: Gray/roan

Star Sweeper ran well at Monmouth Park, finishing second by a head in the Long Branch S., but he subsequently ran last in Monmouth’s Pegasus S., beaten 22 lengths by Haskell rival Baby Vino. Rebounding while stepping up into the Grade 1 ranks could be tricky.

Further Ado

Start(s): 8
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Breeder: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $1,446,958

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Sky Dreamer
Color: Chestnut

Further Ado started as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after winning the Blue Grass (G1) by 11 lengths. He finished 11th in the Derby, but bounced back last month to take the Matt Winn (G3) by two lengths over a quality field. Further Ado has a strong chance of giving trainer Brad Cox a third Haskell win following Mandaloun (2021) and Cyberknife (2022).

A magnificent performance for @spendthriftfarm's 𝗙𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗗𝗢 with jockey @iradortiz up for trainer @bradcoxracing!

Next stop is @ChurchillDowns on the 1st Saturday in May for the @KentuckyDerby. 🏇🌹#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ObmcQDSvGs

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 4, 2026

Baby Vino

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Cosmo Stables and Delta Squad Racing
Breeder: Lisa Parks
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Jockey: Jorge Vargas Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (95) when winning the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park.
Total Earnings: $194,916

Sire: Vino Rosso
Dam: Discreetly Grand
Color: Bay

Baby Vino was tons the best in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth last month, winning by 10 3/4 lengths. But the Haskell is a much tougher race, so Baby Vino may need another step forward to conquer this caliber of competition.

The Puma

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, and High Step Racing
Breeder: Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $442,280

Sire: Essential Quality
Dam: Eve of War
Color: Chestnut

The Puma ranked among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby after beating Further Ado in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and finishing second in the Florida Derby (G1). But a swollen leg caused by a skin infection forced The Puma to scratch from the Kentucky Derby. He’s bounced back with half a dozen timed workouts and warrants respect in the Haskell. Only Further Ado has run faster on the Brisnet Speed rating scale.

Iron Honor

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence, and Glassman Racing
Breeder: Mike Freeny and Pat Freeny
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning a maiden special weight at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $629,250

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Orencia
Color: Bay

Gotham (G3) winner Iron Honor ran a good race in the Preakness (G1), closing ground to finish second by 1 1/4 lengths against Napoleon Solo. However, both of his wins have come in one-turn races, and he earned his highest Brisnet Speed rating in a six-furlong sprint. It’s possible two-turn races like the Haskell are a little longer than Iron Honor wants to run, but regardless, he’s talented enough to challenge for a top-three finish.

Napoleon Solo

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

Owner: Espoir USA
Breeder: John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $1,560,520

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Atomic Blonde
Color: Gray/roan

Napoleon Solo has lots of early speed, which he’s used to win the Champagne (G1) by 6 1/2 lengths and the Preakness by 1 1/4 lengths. In the latter race, he defeated Haskell rivals Iron Honor and Ocelli. Recent fast workouts suggest Napoleon Solo remains in top form, stamping him as a serious win threat at Monmouth Park.

Ocelli

Start(s): 9
Wins: 0
Place: 2
Show: 4

Owner: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, and Front Page Equestrian
Breeder: Rosedown Racing Stables
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $829,800

Sire: Connect
Dam: Zalia
Color: Bay

Ocelli might be winless in nine starts, but he’s run strong races against tough competition, finishing second in the Ohio Derby (G3), fourth in the Preakness, third in the Kentucky Derby, and third in the Wood Memorial (G2). Even if victory proves elusive, another top-four finish is well within reach.