The Haskell and Where is the Single

Journalism has firmly established himself as the top horse in the Haskell picture right now, with his consistent performances and raw talent separating him from the pack. He’s shown versatility in running style, true grit, and the kind of late kick that makes trainers and bettors alike take notice. With each outing, he has looked more professional, more polished, and more dangerous. While he has his hands full with Sovereignty he doesn’t have to face him Saturday at the Jersey Shore. In terms of current form and stakes-level experience, Journalism is the benchmark others in The Haskell have to reach.

That said, this time of year often marks a turning point in the 3-year-old season — when late bloomers begin to catch up and improve rapidly. Horses like Goal Oriented and Gosger may not have the same resume as Journalism yet, but they’re on the rise and showing the kind of developmental upside that matters heading into a Grade 1 like the Haskell. Goal Oriented, in particular, is starting to put things together mentally and physically, and if he takes another step forward in his next prep, he could make things interesting. Bob Baffert knows how to get them ready to win the big ones as good as anyone ever did and I expect Goal Oriented to run a big one. I’m not wild about his draw, however. Gosger, too, has flashed raw speed, talent, and is starting to figure out how to harness it over a route of ground. Yes Journalism had a world of trouble and still ran him down in The Preakness, but Gosger was far more inexperienced and as this is that time, we see the big forward moves. Gosger also looks like the trip horse to me sitting in the garden spot and getting the jump on the closers.

What makes this portion of the calendar so intriguing is the potential for dramatic improvement. Horses with lighter campaigns earlier in the year — whether by design or due to setbacks — often begin to surge in July. If Journalism maintains his current level, he’ll be tough to beat. But if either Goal Oriented or Gosger takes that next leap forward, the Haskell could become a far more competitive and wide-open affair than it looks on paper today. From a wagering perspective I have a hard time separating these three. Yes, Journalism is the most likely winner, they do not win every time. As such I have to find a late sequence single elsewhere.

I am going to go to the United Nations and Redistricting. I have thought this was a legit Grade 1 horse since I first saw him and he has had some setbacks, but I think he has finally come into his own. 7-2 like the morning line would be lovely in my view. Last out was the tell. He went to the lead which is not his style on his class over a wet course and just humbled the field. A perfect confidence builder and singling here gives me a tad more room in The Haskell.