Saturday marks the biggest day of the year at Monmouth Park where it is Haskell Stakes (G1) at the Jersey Shore! A strong card in Oceanport is headlined by the return of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism in the featured event, but there is plenty of other great action to be had on the big card. This includes a pair of $2500 Hit & Split sequences over the back part of the slate when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. The late Pick 5 gets the party started at 4:37 PM eastern (Race 10) with the late Pick 4 coming shortly thereafter with the United Nations (Race 11) at 5:09 PM. As always, check out the promotional landing page for full details and remember to register!

Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.

Race 10:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 4 Majestic Oops; 3 Randomized; 7 Leslie’s Rose
Backups: 5 Dorth Vader

Forecast: #5 Dorth Vader was good to me during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with her much the best win over the slop in the Ogden Phipps (G1), but that was an odd race. The Girvin mare handled the elements and the off going to earn her biggest win to date while most of the field failed to fire. She merits serious respect, but has to avoid regression and probably more importantly prove she is as good over a fast main track.

I lack a super strong opinion, but made the class riser #4 Majestic Oops my lukewarm top choice. The Dan Ward trainee has rattled off three consecutive easy wins and should get a favorable stalking voyage drawing outside likely pacesetter #3 Randomized. She needs to prove she is good enough, but certainly enters this spot in the best form of her career. #7 Leslie’s Rose is one worth including as well, especially if she gets overlooked in the wagering. She seems to despise an off track, so I am willing to forgive her effort last out at the Spa. Randomized was also poor over the slop in upstate New York and has had her chances, but has faced Grade 1 foes in four consecutive starts. The class relief and move to Flavien Prat should make a big difference.


Race 11:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 Redistricting
Backups: 10 Get Smokin

Forecast: Trainer Chad Brown has won the United Nations (G2) five times and holds a strong hand in this year’s 1 3/8-mile event with #3 Redistricting. The Kingman gelding ended his 4YO season with a strong late run to just miss in the Seabiscuit (G2) at Del Mar, but fell flat in his debut at Fair Grounds in March. On paper, it appears he put in another dud in the Turf Classic (G1) on Derby Day, but his sixth-place finish was better than it appears since he was down on a dead inside of the turf course much of the way. He got a confidence booster last out with an easy win against softer in the Monmouth and appears poised to make it two in a row over this turf course for the strong tandem of Prat and Brown.


Race 12:
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 2 Journalism
Backups: None

Forecast: The featured event came up solid with Blue Grass (G1) winner #4 Burnham Square making his first start since early June, Preakness runner-up #6 Gosger set to compete for the first time since almost pulling off the big upset in Maryland, and Bob Baffert shipping #8 Goal Oriented back east, but my opinion will not surprise you.

#2 Journalism has done little wrong in 2025 outside of running second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). One could easily argue he is on pace to be the second best 3YO of the decade with his consistency and talent. The Curlin colt should get a favorable off the pace voyage with plenty of speed signed on. Look for the Michael McCarthy trainee to prove best and head back north for another showdown at the Spa!


Race 13:
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 2 Drakon
Backups: None

Forecast: I expect most horseplayers to spread somewhat deep in this open $12,500 claimer at one-mile over the sod, so I will take the contrarian approach and single #2 Drakon. The First Samurai gelding was part of a blanket finish in a similar spot over this course on June 28 where he finished fifth beaten just half a length. The Zilla Racing Stables runner was drawn to the far outside that day, so jockey Axel Concepcion’s hand was forced. Concepcion sent the 6YO aggressively and got caught up in a bit of an early battle on the backstretch. He should be able to relax more in the early going given his inside draw and the move to Irad Ortiz Jr. A perfect pocket trip seems well within the range of outcomes.


Race 14:
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 8 Boardwalk Jack
Backups: 9 J J Valentin; 7 Go Irish

Forecast: Both sequences conclude with this state-bred first level allowance at six furlongs over the main track where there does not appear to be much early zip signed on. This bodes well for last out maiden breaker #8 Boardwalk Jack. The Sea Wizard gelding had not shown much speed in his two starts as a 2YO, but broke well in his return race where he had to work throughout. The Eddie Owens Jr. trainee was pushed early and then had to battle to the wire, but showed a lot of grit hanging on despite the lack of seasoning. He will have to take another step forward, but should have no issue doing so assuming he gets out of the gate well once again. If he fails to, #7 Go Irish or #9 J J Valentin are the ones likely to benefit.

Good luck on Haskell Day!!