2022 Haskell Stakes Betting Odds, Preview, Predictions & Best Bets: Can Taiba Give Bob Baffert 10th Win in $1 Million Race?
Rob Carr/Getty Images. Pictured: Trainer Bob Baffert.
- Trainer Bob Baffert sends out Taiba in Saturday's $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park.
- Taiba is the current favorite, but handicappers Andie Biancone and Jeremy Pond have their sights set on another big contender.
- Check out below where they've landed for their top pick, along with longshot contenders and exotic wagers.
Updated 2022 Haskell Stakes Odds
| POST POSITION | HORSE | ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cyberknife | 6-1 |
| 2 | Taiba | 7-5 |
| 3 | One Time Willard | 30-1 |
| 4 | Howling Time | 10-1 |
| 5 | King of Hollywood | 30-1 |
| 6 | White Abarrio | 5-1 |
| 7 | Jack Christopher | 3-2 |
| 8 | Benevengo | 20-1 |
It seems like it was just yesterday when Mo Donegal stormed down the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes, closing out another exciting Triple Crown season.
Well, the world of horse racing gets back in action in a big way Saturday when eight three-year-old standouts are scheduled to enter the starting gate for the $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.
Undefeated Jack Christopher (3-2) headlines the field and puts his 4-for-4 record on the line in the 1 1/8-mile featured event. The talented son of Munnings has been working well under trainer Chad Brown in the lead-up to the race. Jockey Jose Ortiz, who rode Early Voting to the win in this year's Preakness Stakes, will be in the saddle.
Also in the field is Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba (7-5), the morning-line favorite who has a familiar face back leading him after a 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Bob Baffert resumed his duties guiding the son of former Breeders' Cup Classic winner Gun Runner after he was transferred to the barn of Tim Yakteen for the first leg of the Triple Crown series.
Baffert was handed a 90-day suspension and fined $7,500 back in February after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission disqualified 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit for testing positive for a banned race-day drug.
Other key contenders in the Haskell field are Florida Derby winner White Abarrio (5-1) and Arkansas Derby champion Cyberknife at 6-1 odds.
The Haskell will be televised by NBC Sports as part of its “Road to the Breeders' Cup” series, which will air on CNBC from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. at Monmouth Park. Post time for the Haskell is slated for 5:45 p.m. ET, with earlier races airing on TVG. You can also stream the races on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock Premium.
Action Network Horse Racing Editor Jeremy Pond and TVG analyst Andie Biancone have returned to provide in-depth coverage of the Haskell Stakes and other featured races on the busy card.
That said, let's take a look at the intriguing field, current odds and where they've landed with their top picks.
2022 Haskell Stakes Best Bets
Jeremy Pond
Haskell Stakes Winner
No. 7 Jack Christopher (3-2) is my top pick. I truly feel he is — by far — the best horse in this field and might be the top three-year-old in the country. He has crushed fields with ease, highlighted by victories in Grade 1 Champagne Stakes, Woody Stephens (G1) and Pat Day Mile (G2) events.
The only real question surrounding Jack Christopher, whom I think will go off as the favorite, is whether or not he can get the distance. Brown's charge has never gone two turns or this distance, so that could be a concern for bettors.
However, I think he's actually going to love stretching out. And if he doesn't tire over the course of that extra furlong in the Haskell, this could turn out to be an absolute romp.
Haskell Stakes Live Long Shot
No. 6 White Abarrio (5-1) isn't what we'd call a crazy longshot, but he's going to be a decent price when the gates open to give us some solid betting value.
The Florida Derby winner has four wins in seven career starts under trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., but was utterly disappointing in the Kentucky Derby. He did rebound for a second-place effort in the Ohio Derby (G3) last time out, finishing behind Tawny Port, so maybe he needed that race ahead of this affair.
Like Jack Christopher, the son of Race Day should have no issues working out a trip from his post position. And if things fall apart via a speed dual up front, or there are just ghastly fractions being set, the race could fall into this contender's hands.
Add in the fact White Abarrio gets Joel Rosario, the reigning Eclipse award-winning jockey, in the irons, and we could be in for a big surprise.
Additional Contenders for Exotic Wagering
- No. 1 Cyberknife (6-1)
- No. 2 Taiba (7-5)
- No. 4 Howling Time (10-1)
Pond's Haskell Exotic Wagers, Other Bets
Exacta: 6-7 over 1-2-4-6-7-8
Trifecta Box: 6-7 over 1-2-4-6-7-8 over ALL
Daily Double (Races 11-12)
1-3-4-7-8-10 | 6-7-8
Pick 4 (Races 9-12)
4-5-6-7 | 3-4-7 | 1-3-4-8-10 | 6-7
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