While it may not have attained the lure and luster of the Triple Crown series or the Travers Stakes which have more extensive histories, the Grade I, $1 million Haskell Stakes in New Jersey has developed into one of the most prestigious races in the country for three-year-old boys — and occasionally girls.

This year’s edition takes place July 19 and has a field of eight, topped by this year’s Preakness winner — and Kentucky Derby and Belmont runner-up — Journalism. Other contenders include Preakness runner-up Gosger and fourth-place finisher Goal Oriented, along with Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square.

Here are our reporter’s 10 memorable moments:

A filly in the Preakness Haskell!

There is always an added sense of drama and heightened excitement anytime a top-notch filly opts to tackle the boys in a Triple Crown race or another Grade I affair. That was certainly the case in 2009 when Rachel Alexandra, heroine of the Preakness Stakes over two months earlier, again beat the boys when she captured the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth en route to being named champion three-year-old filly and horse of the year. With regular pilot Calvin Borel aboard, Rachel Alexandra captured the Haskell by six as the odds-on favorite for trainer Steve Asmussen by getting the one mile and one-eighth in 1:47.21. We didn’t even know: there was more to come.

Authentically weird

During 2020 the nation and much of the world was thrust into turmoil by the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and horse racing was no exception. Consider: the Belmont and Haskell took place before either the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness. Odd. Regardless, Authentic helped restore some sanity to racing by outlasting the late surge of long shot Ny Traffic for a nose victory in the 2020 edition of the Haskell. Offered at its normal place on the schedule, the Haskell catapulted Authentic to later victories in the belated Preakness Stakes – contested nearly five months later than normal – and a sharp score in the Breeders Cup Classic for trainer Bob Baffert, securing Horse of the Year honors.

Better late than never

In one of the more memorable editions of the Haskell for a multitude of reasons, the talented — and controversial — Maximum Security prevailed amidst a heat wave that nearly nixed live racing altogether. Maximum Security and his rivals went into the starting gate after 8 p.m. after severe heat forced a four-hour break between races during the middle of the card. Unfazed by the heat, Maximum Security scored as the 4-5 favorite by a length over Mucho Gusto by getting the nine furlongs in 1:47.56, roughly two months after his historic disqualification from first place in the Kentucky Derby. And things were soon to go sideways for trainer Jason Servis, who would spend time in prison for a wide-ranging plot to dope horses.

Twice as nice

Overshadowed by his rival Alysheba through the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Bet Twice had ended that one’s bid for glory in the Belmont then continued his winning ways by taking the 1987 Haskell. Bet Twice would also upend Alysheba in the Pimlico Special one year later and the Warren Croll, Jr. trainee concluded his career with a 10-6-4 slate and over $3.3 million banked, highlighted by consecutive Grade I wins in the Belmont and Haskell.

Court is in session

After bypassing the Kentucky Derby and later capturing the Ohio Derby, Skip Trial began to make his presence known when he rebounded from a dull effort in the Governor’s Cup Handicap at Bowie on that track’s closing day by capturing the Haskell for trainer Hubert “Sonny” Hine. Skip Trial displayed glimpses of brilliance at ages four and five with two more Grade I wins and concluded his career with a 16-7-2 slate and over $1.8 million banked in 38 outings.

Singalong

As was the case when Rachel Alexandra arrived for the 2009 edition of the Haskell, the durable and talented Serena’s Song certainly made a memorable appearance for her late, great trainer D. Wayne Lukas. During a stellar career in which she posted an 18-11-3 slate and earned over $3.25 million, Serena’s Song lived up to her role as the 3-2 favorite in the 1995 edition of the Haskell when she surged to command on the far turn, opened a five-length lead at the top of the lane then just outlasted Pyramid Peak for a three-quarter length victory.

American Pharoah

Say no more. Having already stamped his place in racing history by becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner ever in the spring for trainer Bob Baffert, American Pharoah lived up to his role as the 1-9 favorite by taking the 2012 Haskell by nearly three lengths while stopping the timer in 1:47.95. A record crowd of 60,983 was on hand to witness it. American Pharoah would then suffer a mild setback in the Travers before rebounding to capture the Breeders’ Cup Classic to cap a brief, stellar career.

No Bull

Following a spring campaign that saw him prevail smartly in several Kentucky Derby prep races, including the Florida Derby, Holy Bull delivered a dull effort in Louisville. He then strung together several impressive scores, including the Met Mile and Dwyer Stakes at Belmont before taking the Haskell for trainer Warren Croll, Jr. He subsequently scored in the Travers at Saratoga and Woodward at Belmont. The son of Great Above recorded 13 wins and nearly $2.5 million banked from 16 career outings and enjoyed one of the more impressive sophomore seasons in the 1990’s.

Testify!

Although the Maryland-bred Deputed Testamony had been virtually invincible in his home state with victories in the Federico Tesio, Preakness Stakes and Governor’s Cup at Bowie, Deputed Testamony had appeared ordinary in efforts in Kentucky and New York. But in the Haskell the future Maryland-bred Hall of Famer would benefit from his recent victory in the Governor’s Cup to score in the Haskell for trainer J. William Boniface and Bonita Farm by getting the nine furlongs in 1:49.20 with Herb McCauley in the irons.

Big shot

Granted, historians are never going to place the 1984 edition of the Haskell in their top 10 lists, but it had tremendous personal meaning. Having seen Big Pistol capture the Grade 3 Governor’s Cup at Bowie three weeks earlier, I made the trip to Monmouth for my first and (to date) only Haskell, convinced that he would capture the Grade I event. His victory prompted me to pursue writing about the horses for various newspapers while still attending college.