Further Ado, the Favorite for a High-Voltage Haskell Stakes

The son of Gun Runner will clash this Saturday at Monmouth Park against rivals of the caliber of Napoleón Solo, Iron Honor, and the maiden Ocelli

If the Kentucky Derby (G1) left lingering questions and the Preakness Stakes (G1) opened a brand-new landscape, this Saturday’s Haskell Stakes (G1-1800m) at Monmouth Park looms as the perfect opportunity to help sort out the North American three-year-old division, which currently has Golden Tempo (Curlin) as its undisputed leader. Featuring a select field of just seven runners but boasting outstanding quality and a $1,000,000 purse, the historic fixture will also award a direct ticket to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland through the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" program.

At the top of the market is Further Ado, the Spendthrift Farm representative conditioned by Brad Cox, who has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite following a campaign that has already proven he can trade blows with the best of his generation.

The son of Gun Runner captured the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) before entering the Kentucky Derby as one of the leading choices, where a severely troubled trip relegated him to an unexpected eleventh-place finish.

Refusing to rush the colt, Cox chose to rebuild his campaign in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, where the sophomore responded precisely as his connections expected. Delivering a highly professional performance, he returned to winning ways and registered figures that quickly placed him right back among the nation's elite three-year-olds.

"We are following pretty much the same path we took with his brother Cyberknife," Cox noted, referring to the 2022 Haskell winner. "He also won the Matt Winn before coming here and ended up taking this race. Further Ado put in an excellent effort. The numbers suggest he is currently the best two-turn three-year-old in the country. Since then, he has maintained impeccable condition, his weight is perfect, and he continues to breeze beautifully."

With Irad Ortiz Jr. back in the saddle and breaking from post 2, Further Ado will face a stellar cast of rivals, headlined by Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo, who will debut in the colors of ESPOIR USA after being acquired following his historic triumph at Laurel Park.

Trained by Chad Summers, the son of Liam's Map arrives fresh off a two-month layoff and will look to prove his natural speed can continue to make the difference over the 1800-meter distance.

"He's a naturally brilliant horse," Summers explained. "He has speed that he can carry from six furlongs up to a mile and three-sixteenths. He is a throwback horse. But we are fully aware of the challenge ahead. Brad Cox has what is likely the best three-year-old router in the country, and Chad Brown returns with Iron Honor, who will break from an inside post this time and will surely get a much more favorable trip."

Indeed, the Brown-trained Iron Honor will seek to reverse the Preakness running line, where he chased Napoleon Solo home in second after a wide and taxing trip. The son of Nyquist left an excellent impression that afternoon, especially considering he was running without blinkers for the first time. "We've always thought highly of him," Brown commented. "He has the pedigree, the physical, and the class. In the Preakness, he made more than one move during the race and never stopped trying. It was a better performance than the result shows."

Another contender returning with high hopes is The Puma (Essential Quality), campaigned by Gustavo Delgado, who has been sidelined since his agonizing nose defeat in the Florida Derby (G1). Although qualified for the Kentucky Derby, a leg infection forced his connections to abandon his entire Triple Crown campaign.

"When we had to scratch him from the Derby, we decided to completely forget about those races and point specifically for the Haskell," explained Gustavo Delgado Jr. "All this extra time did him a world of good. There was no pressure, and we arrive here exactly where we want to be."

Rounding out the field are the upwardly mobile Baby Vino (Vino Rosso), a dominant winner of the local Pegasus Stakes (L); the seasoned Ocelli (Connect), who will attempt to break a curious record by becoming the first maiden to win the Haskell despite having accumulated nearly $830,000 in career earnings; and Star Sweeper (Rock Your World), who will seek redemption after a performance well below expectations in his final prep.

With top-flight names, elite trainers, and several contenders boasting strong credentials, the Haskell promises to be much more than a simple Grade 1. The clash among Further Ado, Napoleon Solo, Iron Honor, and company could go a long way toward defining supremacy in a generation still searching for an undisputed leader—beyond the division dominance of Golden Tempo—with the Breeders' Cup Classic this fall as the ultimate prize. Much more than a million dollars will be on the line at Monmouth Park: the very reputation of America's finest three-year-olds is at stake.