Betting guide to Haskell 2023 with expert predictions, past performances, analysis

OCEANPORT - The storylines are set, with some compelling ones surrounding Saturday's $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. And in a wide open 3-year-old division, what happens on the track late Saturday afternoon will go a long way toward determining a year-end championship.

A year ago, it was trainer Brad Cox winning his second straight Haskell, as Cyberknife rallied along the rail to top Taiba in a dramatic finish, denying trainer Bob Baffert his 10th Haskell win.

But Baffert is back with the morning favorite, lightly-raced Arabian Knight, while Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Triple Crown trail veteran Tapit Trice, trained by three-time Haskell winner Todd Pletcher, are expected to be in the mix.

Who will be looking to hit the wire first at the end of the 1 1/8-mile test?

HASKELL PAGE: With past performances for each horse

Here are the selections from expert analysts and USA TODAY Network/Northeast Region staff:

More: Haskell Stakes 2023: Post positions, odds, analysis, with Baffert's Arabian Knight favored

HASKELL STAKES 2023 FIELD

PP Horse (Jockey) Morning line odds

1. Geaux Rocket Ride (Mike Smith) 9/2

2. Awesome Strong (Jose Batista) 30-1

3. Salute the Stars (Joel Rosario) 8-1

4. Mage (Javier Castellano) 3-1

5. Tapit Trice (Luis Saez) 3-1

6. Howgreatisnate (Paco Lopez) 20-1

7. Extra Anejo (Tyler Gaffalione) 5-1

8. Arabian Knight (John Velazquez) 5/2

Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press sports editor

5. Tapit Trice was too far back in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but has enough early go to travel closer to the lead, from where he can the jump on Mage (who is using the Haskell as a "prep run," according to his trainer) for first run on expected pacesetters.

1. Geaux Rocket Ridge could be a pace contender but probably can't hit the ticket that way. He doesn’t have experience handling kickback from racing behind leaders but if it’s not a problem that sounds like a better plan, settling right away. He can get a big piece of this as long as Mike Smith commits to taking the shortest path.

8. Arabian Knight had no problem breaking from post six to take control of the Southwest Stakes but post eight here is going to be a problem.

3. Salute the Stars is undefeated in two dirt starts including a win on the local course.

More: Haskell 2023: Bob Baffert's complicated legacy at Monmouth Park over the years

Steve Edelson, Asbury Park Press racing writer

4. Mage’s last three races have been very good, losing by a length to Forte, still considered by some to be the class of the division, by a length in the Florida Derby, winning the Kentucky Derby and running third in the Preakness. He’s talented, he’s fresh and has by far the best Beyer in the field at 105.

1. Geaux Rocket Ride gets the rail and will be running out of the gate according to trainer Richard Mandella. Big Money Mike Smith went wire-to-wire with Authentic in 2020 and has three Haskell wins.

8. Arabian Knight comes off a six-month layoff, and breaks from the far outside. That’s a lot to overcome against some experienced challengers for a colt with just two career starts. If he breaks well and gets to the front, maybe it’s a repeat of Authentic in 2020, going wire-to-wire. But that’s asking a lot.

5. Tapit Trice is talented, but at nine furlongs must stay closer to the pace.

Steven Falk, Asbury Park Press sports writer

8. Arabian Knight fits the protypical Bob Baffert Haskell-winning horse in that he is big-time speed. Monmouth Park is usually a speed highway on Haskell Day and the son of Uncle Mo is the fastest of them all. Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez is as good as there is with speed horses. He and Baffert are a lethal combination. Never worry about horses coming off layoffs with Baffert

7. Extra Anejo has enormous potential. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen is extremeley confident in his abilities. He should get a very good stalking trip and get first run at Arabian Knight. It is his first time around two turns, but 2007 Haskell runner-up Hard Spun is on the dam side breeding.

4. Mage has to be respected since he is the Kentucky Derby winner. But, the words of his connections that this is a prep for the Travers Aug. 26 at Saratoga makes some alarm bells ring. Plus, he was wired by the Baffert-trained National Treasure in the Preakness, and Arabian Knight is more talented than National Treasure.

1. Geaux Rocket Ride is interesting for several reasons. He is talented. Has speed and will be on a send from the rail post. Also, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella does not ship to the East Coast often. When he does, it merits a serious look.

Sarah Bloom, Asbury Park Press correspondent

More: 'No hoof, no horse': Meet the people who keep Haskell 2023 racehorses on even footing

7. Extra Anejo is described as a “confident, big bodied” thoroughbred by trainer Steve Asmussen, a Hall of Famer - good enough for me. Fun fact: Anejo tequila is aged for three years to get to premium sippin’ style tequila. Pop open that barrel.

4. Mage: Ramiro Restrepo won me over at Wednesday’s press conference above all else. Mage showed out in big-time races as a Kentucky Derby winner, how can you not go for this guy? I like the hands-off vibe and not-afraid-to-lose attitude.

6. Howgreatisnate: All I know is I am an Elizabeth Dobles fan and I like the athletes who work hard, period. I ran into her mid-morning at the track last week as she was working out three of her horses. They call it horse sense and women’s touch for a reason.

8. Arabian Knight: Bob Baffert’s description of this big “lazy” type horse screams Seabiscut-level feels, minus the whole underdog. Baffert doesn’t like the 8-spot. So much of this is dependent on Baffert going to Max’s to get a hot dog on race day.

5. Tapit Trice: Todd Pletcher has a bunch of All-Star 3 year olds and picked this one to race here. That’s got to mean something.

Greg Giombarrese, Director of Communications, Jersey Shore BlueClaws

7. Extra Anejo looked awesome last time at Ellis Park, tracking a fast pace and winning easily in a common gallop. The pace horse he chased early last time, and subsequently buried, came back to win as well. He's always been very well regarded, makes his third start of the year and should get a nice forward trip in this race. He's ready to break through and into the upper-class of this 3 year old crop.

1. Geaux Rocket Ride ships in from California for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella and has shown ability in his three starts. He'll have to run faster than last time - an easy win over a weak field - but he showed his quality in the San Felipe in March when tracking a strong pace and running an excellent second in just his second career start.

8. Arabian Knight hasn't run since a win in the Southwest Stakes in January and while he is obviously talented, this is a pretty good field and a tall task at a short price.

4. Salute the Stars has only run twice on dirt and last time won the Pegasus while steadying at the start and running very rank and hard to handle early on. If he can settle a bit, there is a scenario where he takes the necessary steps forward to hit the board at a good price.

Ken Jordan - five times among top finishers at NTRA/National Horseplayers Championship, four Top 10s at Horseplayers World Series

5. Tapit Trice : Impressive Blue Grass, bruising Derby, then better than it looked Belmont. Talent edge on some, condition edge on others here.

8. Arabian Knight might not get the pass on the lead that Baffert runners have enjoyed in past Haskells.

4. Mage: Sometimes you don't have to read between the lines to know the race is a prep.

Sean Nolan - 17-time National Handicapping Championship qualifier, with a second-place finish and four top 20finishes.

4. Mage comes into the Haskell less than 100% cranked but is talented enough to get the job done. Expect Castellano to settle him mid-pack down the backstretch and tip out at the ¼ pole to run down the leaders at the wire.

8. Arabian Knight looks like the pace of the race as Johnny V can gradually ease him to the front when the field hits the first turn. This ultra-talented $2.3M colt had a monster work last week and will take some beating. However, the Monmouth strip is not the speed favoring superhighway as in the past and that will eventually take its toll on the Baffert charge.

1. Geaux Rocket Ride has been pointed to this race for months. He is very tractable and projects a dream trip either in the pocket or just outside of Arabian Knight. Figures right there.

5. Tapit Trice has talent but lacks focus. Can’t endorse for any of the top 3 positions.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Betting guide to Haskell 2023 with expert picks, past performances