Cyberknife set a new Haskell Stakes record in 2022 (EQUI-PHOTO)
By Geo Sette
We have reached that beautiful time that surfaces every summer in our great Thoroughbred racing community. The excitement and energy of the three-year-old division graded stakes races leading to and including the fabulous Triple Crown will now carry this class to the Jersey Shore at Monmouth Park.
Inaugurated in 1968, the Haskell’s storied history is now set to turn another page. In the early 1980’s the race was called The Haskell Invitational Handicap. Evolving in the mid-1990’s to the “Haskell Invitational Stakes” the race continued in that format for many years. This special race ceased to be an invitational in 2020, and now is simply called ‘The Haskell Stakes’.
This ‘super-race’ has become the headliner of a much-anticipated full card of racing on the day with typically 13 or 14 races, including more than a handful of stakes races on the undercard.
The place to be down on the Jersey Shore, Haskell day boasts the largest crowd of the meet and is filled with an intriguing level of pageantry. It is the place to see and be seen, to dress in style, to fully embrace the essence of the day, and all the top shelf Thoroughbred racing action.
No doubt hardcore and casual fans alike have always made this a day to circle on their summer calendar. With great anticipation, they always show up.
This year Preakness winner Journalism, who also ran second in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, is set to be down at the shore for the marquee event. Journalism will face Goal Oriented from the Bob Baffert barn and we know the success Bob has had in the Haskell with a record nine victories the last being with Authentic in 2020, who was also named Horse of the Year. Make no mistake however this won’t be a two horse race by any means. There are currently 10 probables including Preakness runner up Gosger.
The following are the great Haskell Days I remember the most. The race offered heart-thumping thrills of the sport that stay with us forever and served witness to so many newly crowned champions considered legends of the Sport of Kings.
1994 The sensational Holy Bull went wire-to-wire with “Big Money” Mike Smith thrilling the capacity crowd every step of the way. Holy Bull later went on to win Horse of The Year.
2001 Preakness Stakes & Belmont Stakes winner Point Given was odds on at 1:5 and never disappointed as he closed powerfully running down the field late. He too went on to win Horse of The Year honors.
2008 Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner Big Brown greatly supported at the window again, showed his true grit running down a stubborn Coal Play to the delight of the huge Haskell Day crowd. His greatness once again confirmed.
2009 Haskell Day was given a sloppy racetrack, but that didn’t stop the super sensational filly Rachel Alexandra from running away from the boys in the stretch. This gal was ultra-popular, just as popular as Thorpedo Anna is today. I remember how many ladies were in attendance, and they were loving every moment of her romp to the finish line. This great filly went on to win Horse of the Year honors as well.
2013 This was one for all the Brooklyn New Yorkers in attendance as the gorgeous bay colt Verrazano pulled away in the stretch to the largest winning margin in Haskell Stakes history with a robust romp of nine and three-quarter lengths.
2015 This was probably the loudest and most enthusiastic Haskell crowd ever when Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah ‘walked’ home in the stretch easily dominating his opponents to cheers and goosebumps throughout the track. This great colt went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was arguably the most deserving of the Horse of the Year honor in recent memory.
2018 Greatly supported at the window, the two-year-old champ Good Magic showed he was back with a runaway cruise romping home. Earlier in the year he was forced to chase Justify around the track in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Justice was served for him with his dominating effort in this Haskell Stakes.
2022 Cyberknife closed powerfully on the inside leaving ‘hot shot” favorite Jack Christopher behind then out-finishing Taiba to the wire. The Brad Cox trainee set a new Haskell Stakes record in 1:46.24 which still stands today.
Go ahead, call me overly nostalgic if you like. However, I highly recommend taking the time to view a video replay of all these great Haskell Stakes races. I think you’ll be glad you did.
