2023 Haskell Stakes Race Predictions, Picks and Preview

2023 Haskell Stakes – High-caliber horseracing action will take centerstage in the 2023 edition of the Haskell Stakes. The event is slated to be held on Saturday, July 22, at the Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. Ten horses are listed in the 1 1/8-mile (1.810-kilometer) race that will have an estimated prize purse of USD1 million. The field features former Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Belmont Stakes third-placer Tapit Trice and 2023 Southwest Stakes winner Arabian Knight. Online horseracing oddsmakers are expecting an explosive showdown at the Monmouth Park dirt track while hoping that their bets would earn them bigger income after witnessing an exciting race.

Viewing Information

Date: July 22, 2023

Racetrack: Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport, New Jersey

TV: NBC Sports

Livestream: Peacock

History of Haskell Stakes

The Grade 1 thoroughbred horseracing event is open to three-year-old horses that aim to compete in major races in the racing calendar, including the Breeders’ Cup. Formerly known as the Haskell Invitational, the big-time horseracing spectacle serves as an important stepping stone towards the Breeders’ Cup and other important events around the world. From its inception in 1968, the Haskell Stakes has become an iconic event in US horseracing. It annually draws large audiences that want to witness world-class three-year-old horses race for prestige and honor. The race has a storied reputation of attracting accomplished contenders and it is known as one of the prominent races in the sport.

The event was named after Amory L. Haskell, the former president and chairman of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club. The inaugural race was held on August 3, 1968, with a purse of USD100,000. Balustrade, who was ridden by jockey Eddie Belmonte, was the first winner of the event. Thirteen editions later, Haskell Stakes was elevated to Grade 1 status, meaning that it is one of the premier events in the US. The race has attracted world-renowned horses, including Triple Crown winners Secretariat (1973), Affirmed (1978), and American Pharoah (2015). Aside from them, Holy Bull (1994), Serena’s Song (1995), Skip Away (1996), Point Given (2001), Big Brown (2008), Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Maximum Security (2019) are other notable horses that have also claimed victory in the Haskell Stakes.

Betting on Horseracing in 2023 Haskell Stakes

Ten horses are listed to take part in the USD1-million, Grade 1 event. Kentucky Derby winner Mage leads the field as he looks to bounce back from his third-place finish at the Preakness Stakes. The horse out of Good Magic and Puca will aim for his third win in his first race after a two-month hiatus. Mage will face strong competition in Belmont Stakes third-placer Tapit Trice, Southwest Stakes winner Arabian Knight and Affirmed Stakes winner Geaux Rocket Ride. Tapit Trice will aim for his fifth win in a seven-month span and solidify his status as one of the top horses this year. He races for the first time since his third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Bob Baffert-trained Arabian Knight has yet to lose in two races and this includes his win in the Southwest Stakes. However, he may be rusty going into the race as it will be his first race in six months.

Geaux Rocket Ride is a three-race veteran that has proven his worth in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes where he placed second and in the Affirmed Stakes where he finished first. However, it will be his first time racing at a distance of 1 1/8-miles after having two stints in the 1 1/16-mile distance. The betting public hopes that he can withstand the longer distance and the punishing pace that his foes might bring out come race time. Extra Anejo is an untested horse that has two wins in three starts. His longest stint was the one-mile allowance race at the Ellis Park, where he won, in June. Awesome Strong looks to secure his fifth win in six races and his first since October 2022. His four-race winning streak was stopped in June when he finished sixth in a six-furlong allowance race.

Three-year-old gelding Howgreatisnate will vie for his sixth win in nine starts as he seeks to improve his third-place result in the 2023 edition of the Pegasus. The Haskell Stakes will be the longest race for Howgreatisnate and his handlers hope that the horse would continue his excellent run amid a star-studded field. Pegasus winner Salute the Stars will make his fourth start in his career and he hopes to gain his fourth win in five starts. He looks to duplicate his excellent performance five months later and secure his biggest win ever. Big Data has placed in the top two in five of his six starts but it will be his first race in more than one mile. Subrogate will bring his fourth-place performance in the Pegasus, as he looks to earn his second win in four starts.

Probable entries for 2023 Haskell Stakes

1. Tapit Trice
2. Arabian Knight
3. Geaux Rocket Ride
4. Extra Anejo
5. Awesome Strong
6. Howgreatisnate
7. Salute The Stars
8. Mage
9. Big Data
10. Subrogate

Pick

Mage, Tapit Trice and Arabian Knight are the prominent entries in the race and experts focusing on sports picks and parlays are expecting the trio to figure in the Top 3 of the Haskell Stakes. The event will be a three-horse slugfest at the Monmouth Park Racetrack and in the end, Mage has enough gas in his tank to win the race over Arabian Knight and Tapit Trice. Geaux Rocket Ride and Salute The Stars could also give the fans some suspense in this 10-horse field as they are capable of getting into the top three and possibly win the race. Placing your money on reigning Kentucky Derby winner Mage will possibly be the greatest choice that you will ever make in the weekend.