Haskell Invitational 2023

The Haskell Stakes is a Grade 1, $1 million race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses run every summer at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. It is contested at a distance of 1 1/8 miles or nine furlongs. It was first run in 1968 and has become one of the top races of the year. 

11 horses who went on to be Champion of that year won the Haskell, including Holy Bull, Point Given, Big Brown, and Authentic. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah made headlines when he returned to the races in the Haskell, winning in 2015. Champion fillies have done well in the race: Serena’s Song won in 1995 and Rachel Alexandra in 2009.  

Trainer Bob Baffert has done better than any other trainer in the race by far, winning it nine times. Since 1994, both jockeys Mike Smith and Martin Garcia have won the race three times each. 

An unusual result in the Haskell happened in 2021 when Hot Rod Charlie won the race by a nose but was disqualified for interference in the stretch, elevating Mandaloun to the winner’s position.  

The Haskell undercard includes races like the Grade 1 United Nations, Grade 3 Monmouth Cup, Grade 3 Matchmaker, and Grade 3 Molly Pitcher.