Study Guide: 2021 Haskell Stakes

Jul 15, 2021 J. Keeler Johnson

Saturday's $1 million Haskell S. (G1) over 1 1/8 miles at Monmouth Park has drawn a strong field of Triple Crown veterans mixed with intriguing newcomers, all vying for a 'Win and You're In' berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

Total 3 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (108) when dominating a Belmont Park allowance.
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $115,520
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Spendthrift Farm	Sire: Runhappy
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm	Dam: Quick Flip
Trainer: Todd Pletcher	Color: Bay
Jockey: Joel Rosario

There's no denying Following Sea has a ton of raw ability. Just look at his victory in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance at Belmont Park last month, in which he pulled clear to win by 6 1/2 lengths with an eye-catching 108 Brisnet Speed rating. But can Following Sea challenge for victory while making his stakes and route debut? He's stretching out a full 2 1/2 furlongs in distance and stepping up against significantly tougher competition. On the bright side, incoming Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Haskell three times.

Total 12 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (91) when breaking his maiden at Monmouth Park.
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $140,310
Place: 3
Show: 3

Owner: Hollendorfer and Dennis January	Sire: First Samurai
Breeder: Glen Oak Farm and Two Stamps Stables	Dam: Port Charlotte
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer	Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: David Cohen

Antigravity couldn't catch a break during the first nine months of his career, tasting defeat in 10 consecutive maiden special weights at Del Mar, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Oaklawn Park. But since shipping to Monmouth Park, Antigravity has been unstoppable, winning back-to-back maiden and allowance races with sharp rallies from off the pace. Sold for just $4,000 as a yearling, Antigravity has never faced the caliber of competition he'll encounter in the Haskell. But he could be the type to rally late and pick up a spot in the superfecta. 

Total 7 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing second in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Wins: 4	Total Earnings: $1,051,252
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Juddmonte	Sire: Into Mischief
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms	Dam: Brooch
Trainer: Brad Cox	Color: Bay
Jockey: Florent Geroux

With the exception of an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Mandaloun has been a picture of consistency, cracking the top three in six of his seven starts. Victorious over Midnight Bourbon in the Risen Star S. (G2) during the winter at Fair Grounds, Mandaloun enters the Haskell in strong form, having crossed the wire second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) before battling to victory in Monmouth's Pegasus S. The latter effort saw Mandaloun overcome a troubled start and a slow pace to beat Gotham S. (G3) winner Weyburn by a neck, stamping the Juddmonte Farms homebred as a key contender for the Haskell.

Total 9 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (110) when finishing second in the Belmont S. (G1).
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $1,585,700
Place: 2
Show: 3

Owner: Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss	Sire: Oxbow
Breeder: Edward A. Cox Jr.	Dam: Indian Miss
Trainer: Doug O'Neill	Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat

It's hard to knock anything Hot Rod Charlie has accomplished across his career. A son of 2013 Preakness S. (G1) winner Oxbow, Hot Rod Charlie defeated Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon in the Louisiana Derby (G2) before crossing the wire third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and second in the Belmont S. (G1). The latter race saw Hot Rod Charlie carve out an ambitious pace before hanging on to finish just 1 1/4 lengths behind champion Essential Quality, earning a 110 Brisnet Speed rating that tops the Haskell field. A talented frontrunner capable of rating off the lead if necessary, Hot Rod Charlie has been turning in fast workouts and looms as the horse to beat in the Haskell.

Total 8 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (93) when winning the Nashua S. (G3).
Wins: 3	Total Earnings: $199,825
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Roseland Farm Stable	Sire: Stay Thirsty
Breeder: John Bowers Jr.	Dam: Born to Royalty
Trainer: Kelly Breen	Color: Dark bay/brown
Jockey: Nik Juarez

Pickin' Time looked like a star on the rise last fall, winning Monmouth's six-furlong Smoke Glacken S. before stretching out to nab the one-mile Nashua S. (G3) at Aqueduct by 2 1/4 lengths. But Pickin' Time hasn't cracked the trifecta in three starts since, most recently finishing last in the Jersey Derby at Monmouth. He's training sharply and is eligible to improve in his second start back, but he'll need a career-best effort to challenge the Triple Crown alumni.

Total 9 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Preakness S. (G1).
Wins: 2	Total Earnings: $661,420
Place: 3
Show: 3

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds	Sire: Tiznow
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings	Dam: Catch the Moon
Trainer: Steve Asmussen	Color: Bay
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Much like Mandaloun, Midnight Bourbon is a capable, consistent competitor who rarely misses the top three. He enters fresh off a gallant runner-up effort in the Preakness S. (G1), for which he earned a respectable 99 Brisnet Speed rating. But the son of Tiznow is 0-for-2 against Hot Rod Charlie and has split four meetings with Mandaloun, suggesting Midnight Bourbon—sixth across the wire in the Kentucky Derby (G1)—might rank just a hair below the other key contenders in the Haskell.

Total 5 start(s)	Top Speed Rating: (85) when finishing fifth in a Laurel Park allowance.
Wins: 1	Total Earnings: $41,520
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Michael Fazio and Monmouth Stud	Sire: Cairo Prince
Breeder: Arthur St. George and Lee Mauberret	Dam: Zapara
Trainer: Gregory Sacco	Color: Gray/roan
Jockey: Isaac Castillo

An eight-length maiden winner at Monmouth Park last summer, Basso finished third behind Pickin' Time in the Smoke Glacken S., but hasn't cracked the top three in a trio of starts since then. The $40,000 yearling acquisition recently returned from a seven-month break to finish sixth behind Antigravity in a Monmouth allowance, so he'll need better to factor in the Haskell.