America’s Best Racing editor Patrick Reed presents four takeaways from an eventful weekend in horse racing highlighted by the NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, featuring several race results that should have an impact on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in the fall.
Tag: Racing
Kona Gold’s Sustained Excellence the Signature of His Hall of Fame Career
To make it to one Breeders’ Cup is special for any horse and the people connected to them To win a Breeders’ Cup race puts that horse in elite company. To make five consecutive starts at the Breeders’ Cup is a testament to a horse’s quality, a trainer’s expertise, and an owner’s faith. Kona Gold was a stalwart sprinter whose soundness and speed made him a star and earned him accolades aplenty, including a spot in the 2026 Hall of Fame class.
Longshot Baby Vino Beats Napoleon Solo to Score Dramatic Haskell Stakes Upset
The 59th running of the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes attracted a stellar field to Monmouth Park on July 18. There was a classic winner in the Haskell field of seven along with another Grade 1 winner and three other colts who were Grade 1 placed, but on a grey, rainy day filled with smog and lightning and two weather delays at the Jersey Shore, the eventual winner was none of them.
2026 Haskell Stakes Cheat Sheet
The 59th edition of the $1 million NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes will be held Saturday, July 18 at Monmouth Park and the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds serves as the first marquee race in the division since the end of the Triple Crown series in early June.
