The biggest horse race in New Jersey is coming up this weekend: the Haskell Invitational Stakes.
The nation’s top 3-year-olds will compete in the 56th edition of the Haskell Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park for a grand prize of $1 million.
For NJ horse betting fans, the Haskell Stakes represents the peak of the sport in the Garden State, with the option of betting on the race at any racetrack in the state or via the FanDuel Racing NJ horse betting app. On top of that, though, for the fourth year in a row, Monmouth Park and BetMakers are offering the winner the opportunity to win an additional $1 million “BetMakers Bonanza” bonus if they complete two other wins.
$1 million bonus up for grabs thanks to BetMakers Bonanza
To win the BetMakers Bonanza, a horse must win the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on July 22, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26 and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
In 2020, the horse Authentic achieved a win at all three.
The seven-figure offer comes from a partnership with Monmouth Park and BetMakers Technology Group. It’s the fourth straight year they’ve sponsored the prize.
“As part of our ongoing partnership with BetMakers, we’re pleased to be able to offer the BetMakers Bonanza bonus for a fourth straight year,” said Dennis Drazin, the chairman and CEO of Darby Development, LLC, the operators of Monmouth Park. “The commitment that BetMakers has made to racing in New Jersey has had a significant impact.”
Added Dallas Baker, head of international operations for BetMakers:
“With individual winners of the three Triple Crown races, champion 3-year-old is up for grabs – so what better way to make a claim for it now than to win the Haskell, grab the Travers, and then line up in the Breeders Cup for not only the likelihood of that title but an extra $1 million with the BetMakers Bonanza?”
Betting on the 2023 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park
This year marks the 56th edition of the famous Haskell Stakes. The race gets national TV coverage and is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the US.
Each year, the Haskell Stakes are run after the Triple Crown series and before the Breeders’ Cup. It’s the first steppingstone from the Triple Crown to the rest of the season. After the Haskell Stakes, horses can run at the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and, ultimately, the storied Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The race is a 1 ⅛-mile race on a dirt track at Monmouth Park in Oceanport. In addition to the main race event, four graded stakes races are featured on the undercard, including the Grade 1 United Nations.
Some familiar horses from the Triple Crown races are expected to run in the Haskell Stakes. If one of the winners of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes wins, they will likely be considered the division leader.
Quick look at 2023 Haskell Stakes field
Of the eight horses in the 2023 Haskell Stakes, three jump off the page.
The favorite, Arabian Knight, holds a morning line of 5/2 and will run out of the outside No. 8 position. The horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, looks to secure his 10th Haskell Stakes win.
Meanwhile, both Mage and Tapit Trice will start side-by-side in the fourth and fifth positions. Tapit Trice took third at the recent Belmont Stakes. Mage, a third-place finisher at the Preakness Stakes and winner of the Kentucky Derby, will be the seventh Derby champ to compete at the Haskell Stakes. Three went on to win. Of note, Mage’s sire, Good Magic, won the 2018 Haskell Stakes.
| Post Position | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Morning Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geaux Rocket Ride | Richard Mandella | Mike Smith | 9/2 |
| 2 | Awesome Strong | Jorge Delgado | Jose Batista | 30/1 |
| 3 | Salute the Stars | Brad Cox | Joel Rosario | 8/1 |
| 4 | Mage | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano | 3/1 |
| 5 | Tapit Trice | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez | 3/1 |
| 6 | Howgreatisnate | Elizabeth Dobles | Paco Lopez | 20/1 |
| 7 | Extra Anejo | Steve Asmussen | Tyler Gaffilione | 5/1 |
| 8 | Arabian Knight | Bob Baffert | John Velazquez | 5/2 |
