Every July, the eyes of the Thoroughbred racing world turn to Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, for one of the most anticipated races of the summer—the Grade 1, million-dollar Haskell Stakes.

Scheduled for Saturday, July 18, this year’s edition once again promises to showcase many of the nation’s top three-year-olds as they continue their journey toward the Travers Stakes and, for the winner, an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Win and You’re In program.

The Haskell traces its roots back to 1968, when it was first run as the Monmouth Invitational Handicap. Originally contested for older horses, the race quickly earned Grade 1 status and established itself as one of the nation’s premier events.

In 1981, it was renamed the Haskell Invitational Handicap and transformed into a race exclusively for three-year-olds, honoring Amory L. Haskell, the former president and chairman of Monmouth Park who played a pivotal role in the growth of Thoroughbred racing in New Jersey.

Over nearly six decades, the Haskell has been the stage for many remarkable performances. Two recent ones come to mind; the dominant victory by RACHEL ALEXANDRA over the boys in 2009 remains one of the most celebrated moments in modern racing, and AMERICAN PHAROAH winning the Haskell in 2015 just weeks after completing the Triple Crown, drawing one of the largest crowds in Monmouth Park history.

When the gates open for the 2026 Haskell Stakes, it’s certain that another chapter will be written in the race’s remarkable history.

The Haskell continues to embody everything fans love about Thoroughbred racing—speed, tradition, and the thrill of watching stars compete on one of the sport’s grandest summer stages.