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.
Tag: The Sport
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.
Saratoga Stories: A Champion in 15 Days
In today’s world of Thoroughbred horse racing, the path to winning an Eclipse award as champion 2-year-old is relatively clear. First, you win a maiden race for horses who have never won a race before. Then, you try to win at least one graded stakes race (preferably a Grade 1) and hopefully more; finally, you win either the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile or Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies to become the clear-cut champion of your division.
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.
