Further Ado tabbed 2-1 favorite in competitive Haskell

The first major event for three-year-olds post-Triple Crown, Saturday’s $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park, is not lacking in contenders. Grade 1 winner Further Ado is the top draw in the prestigious 1 1/8-mile event at the Jersey Shore, but he is a lukewarm 2-1 favorite on the morning line.

Along with Further Ado, Haskell contestants looking to make a mark in the second half of the season include Napoleon Solo (5-2 second choice) and Iron Honor (3-1), last seen finishing 1-2 in the Preakness (G1), and returning Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner and Florida Derby (G1) runner-up The Puma (7-2).

Divisional leader Golden Tempo, winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1), will skip the Haskell and train up to the Travers (G1) on Aug. 29.

Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in to ride Further Ado for Brad Cox. After an 11-length romp in the Blue Grass (G1), the son of Gun Runner was bet down to 5.05-1 favoritism in the Kentucky Derby but finished 11th after a rough start. Further Ado rebounded stylishly in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs on June 7, pressing the pace before drawing off to a two-length win. The chestnut colt should be prominent early from Post No. 2.

Napoleon Solo won his first two starts last year, including a dominant wire-to-wire performance in the Champagne (G1), but was slow to return this season, recording unplaced efforts in his first two stakes attempts as connections dealt with a foot issue and missed training time. The Chad Summers-trained colt put it all together with a forwardly placed trip in the Preakness, winning by a length, and Napoleon Solo figures to be on or close to the early lead with regular rider Paco Lopez.

Winner of the Gotham (G3) three starts back, Iron Honor delivered a career-best finishing second in the Preakness and will look to challenge from just off the pace Saturday. The Puma defeated Further Ado in the Tampa Bay Derby and finished a nose behind Commandment in the Florida Derby. He was among the early favorites when he was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby, and Luis Saez will pick up the mount for Gustavo Delgado.

Accomplished maiden Ocelli, third in the Kentucky Derby and a closing second in the June 20 Ohio Derby (G3), is also part of the mix. Baby Vino, who faces a class check following a 10+ length win in the recent Pegasus at Monmouth, and stakes-placed Star Sweeper round out the field.