The Grade 1 Haskell Stakes has gone by a few different names since its inaugural running at Monmouth Park in 1968. But it long has been ranked as one of the most prestigious summer targets for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, and it currently is a “win and you’re in” qualifier to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The 2022 Haskell will take place on Saturday, and strong field is expected to contest the 1 1/8-mile event. In anticipation of the great race, let’s recall the four fastest winners of the Haskell.
4. Mandaloun (1:47.38, 2021)
There’s some irony in the fact Mandaloun ranks among the four fastest Haskell winners even though he technically wasn’t the colt who posted the winning time of 1:47.38 seconds. The 2021 Haskell was a controversial race in which Mandaloun settled in midfield early before dueling gamely to finish second by a nose against Hot Rod Charlie.
But Hot Rod Charlie drifted in at the furlong marker and caused Midnight Bourbon (in third place at the time) to clip heels and lose his rider. Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified and placed last, leaving Mandaloun as the winner – and since Mandaloun finished 18 1/4 lengths clear of the original third-place finisher, his margin of victory is listed by Equibase as the largest in the Haskell since at least 1976.
3. Rachel Alexandra (1:47.21, 2009)
The fleet filly Rachel Alexandra was in the midst of a sensational Horse of the Year campaign when she took on males in the 2009 Haskell. Having previously conquered colts in the Preakness, “Rachel” was favored at 1-2 at Monmouth and didn’t disappoint. After pressing fast fractions of 22.99 seconds, 46.43 and 1:09.92 over a sloppy track, Rachel Alexandra seized command and drew off with authority to beat Belmont Stakes winner and future champion Summer Bird by six lengths in 1:47.21.
1. (tie) Majestic Light (1:47, 1976)
In 1976, when the Haskell was known as the Monmouth Invitational Handicap (G1), an up-and-coming sophomore named Majestic Light posted a record-setting victory. The race was supposed to go the way of six-time Grade 1 winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Honest Pleasure, who started as the 11-10 favorite. But Majestic Light, winner of the Swaps (G1) earlier in the summer, had other ideas. He unleashed a sweeping rally to win by six lengths in 1:47 seconds while Honest Pleasure faded to third. Majestic Light went to the sidelines after a seventh-place finish behind Honest Pleasure in the Travers (G1), but he returned as a 4-year-old to compete with aplomb against tough company, counting the Amory L. Haskell Handicap (G1, now the Philip H. Iselin, G3) and the Man o’ War (G1) among his victories.
1. (tie) Bet Twice (1:47, 1987)
The 1987 Haskell has to rank among the greatest renewals of the race. A stellar field entered the starting gate, with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba squaring off against Belmont hero Bet Twice and four-time graded-stakes winner Lost Code.
It’s safe to say the race lived up to expectations with a thrilling finish. Lost Code set the pace, Bet Twice employed stalking tactics, and Alysheba rallied from behind after enduring a traffic-filled trip. The three colts hit the wire separated by half a length, with Bet Twice holding off Alysheba’s late charge to win by a neck in 1:47. Lost Code finished another neck back in third place and pulled a dozen lengths clear of the rest, a testament to the talent of the top three finishers.
J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. You can follow him on Twitter at @J_Keelerman.
