Historical Look at the Origins of Monmouth Park and the Haskell Stakes

As the summer racing season intensifies, attention shifts to the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. While the event currently serves as a pivotal midsummer test for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and a precursor to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, its foundation is rooted in a decades-old effort to revive the sport in New Jersey.

The race owes its existence to Amory L. Haskell, a 19th-century sportsman and industrialist who is credited with resurrecting racing in the Garden State. During the late 1930s, Haskell spearheaded the political movement to overturn a multi-decade ban on parimutuel wagering. His efforts culminated in the opening of the modern Monmouth Park Jockey Club in 1946, where he served as president and chairman until his death in 1966.

Designed to rival the atmosphere of Saratoga and Del Mar, Monmouth Park sought to establish a signature event following Haskell’s passing. The race now known as the Haskell Stakes was inaugurated in 1968 as the Haskell Invitational Handicap. Initially contested by older horses, the race underwent a significant format change in 1981. It was converted to a 1 1/8-mile event restricted exclusively to three-year-olds, strategically positioning it to capture horses coming off the Triple Crown trail.

The evolution of the race continued in 2020 when the “Invitational” designation was removed. Over the years, the event has featured notable winners including Holy Bull, Point Given, Rachel Alexandra, and American Pharoah. Located in Oceanport, New Jersey, roughly 50 miles south of New York City, the venue remains a staple on the U.S. racing calendar.

The operator of the venue, Churchill Downs Incorporated, currently trades on the market with a valuation exceeding $6 billion. The company, which oversees live and historical racing venues as well as online wagering platforms, is part of the consumer cyclical sector.

What to watch

• Future entries for the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes following the Triple Crown season.
• Quarterly financial results from Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Source: original release