Bob Baffert return, plus Preakness winner top Haskell storylines at Monmouth Park

The blueprint is in place for one of the most intriguing Haskells ever.

Because when Monmouth Park unveiled this year’s nominees for the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes Thursday, the list included a Triple Crown race winner and six others with Grade 1 victories, two of which have been nominated by embattled trainer Bob Baffert.

That means a plethora of compelling storylines leading up to the July 23 race.

While trainer Chad Brown has not made a final decision on running Early Voting, the Preakness winner’s presence in the starting gate would take the 55th renewal to the next level. If Early Voting does run - the other option is the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 30 – it would be the first time a Triple Crown race winner has run since Preakness winner Exaggerator won in 2016, with Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in the field.

The lightly-raced colt earned a gaudy 105 Beyer Speed Figure for the victory at Pimlico.

It would set up a showdown with another Brown nominee in unbeaten speedster Jack Christopher, coming off a 10-length win in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes on Belmont Day, picking up a gaudy 107 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance. But Jack Christopher has never won beyond a mile, or raced around two turns.

Taiba and Pinehurst from the Baffert Stable

The national spotlight will revolve around the presence two Baffert trainees, Taiba and Pinehurst. It could mark the return of the nine-time Haskell winner, whose 90-day suspension, levied for Medina Spirit’s disqualification for failing a post-race drug test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby, ends Saturday.

Baffert has emerged as a polarizing figure, a lightning rod for medication and safety reform in the industry.

Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba, in former Baffert assistant Tim Yakteen’s barn during his suspension,  finished 15th in the Kentucky Derby for Yakteen the last time out. Pinehurst, in Sean McCarthy's barn while Baffert was sidelined, won the Del Mar Futurity last year, as well as the Saudi Derby in February.

Trainer Brad Cox plans to shipping Cyberknife, winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. Owned by Al Gold, a long-time Ocean Township resident, Cyberknife comes off a win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Cox has also nominated Home Brew, impressive winner of the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 18. Last year, Mandaloun won the Pegasus for Cox, before being elevated to the top spot in the Haskell when Hot Rod Charlie was disqualified for interference.

Also on the list is Howling Time, the improving Dale Romans trainee who appeared to have Cyberknife beat in the Grade 3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs last month, losing by a nose.

While Brown has also nominated Blue Grass Stakes winner Zandon, it appears he's headed for the Jim Dandy. Trainer Saffie Joseph has nominated Florida Derby winner White Abarrio, coming off a second in the Ohio Derby.

The full list of Haskell nominees

Here are the 19 horses nominated for this year's Haskell, with trainers in parenthesis:

Be Better (Todd Pletcher) - Won Monmouth allowance race on July 4.

Benevengo (Jesus Cruz) - Comes off Monmouth allowance win.

Classic Causeway (Ken McPeek) – Entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

Cyberknife (Brad Cox) – Arkansas Derby winner, comes off Matt Winn score.

Cyberviking (Jorge Delgado) – Second to Be Better in Monmouth allowance.

Early Voting (Chad Brown) – Preakness winner eyeing Aug. 27 Travers.

Home Brew (Brad Cox) – Had dominating win in Pegasus at Monmouth.

Howling Time (Dale Romans) – Second to Cyberknife in Matt Winn.

Jack Christopher (Chad Brown) – Multiple Grade 1 winner; 107 Beyer last out.

Kuchar (Rodolphe Brisset) – Second in American Derby at Churchill last out.

Mr. Jefferson (Michael Trombetta) – Fourth in Pegasus in last start.

Pinehurst (Bob Baffert) – Grade 1 winner took Saudi Derby Feb. 26.

Smarten Up (Alfredo Velazquez) – Third in Long Branch at Monmouth last out.

Steal Sunshine (Bobby Dibona) – Sixth in Florida Derby in last start.

Taiba (Bob Baffert) – Santa Anita Derby winner, 15th in Kentucky Derby.

Western River (Rodolphe Brisset) – Comes off Churchill Downs allowance win.

We the People (Rodolphe Brisset) – Peter Pan winner, ran fourth in Belmont.

White Abarrio (Saffie Joseph) – Florida Derby winner, second in Ohio Derby.

Zandon (Chad Brown) – Blue Grass winner, ran third in Kentucky Derby.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Haskell at Monmouth Park NJ: Is Preakness winner Early Voting running?