Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winner Journalism and Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented, both leading contenders for the $1 million Grade 1 NYRA BET Haskell Invitational, arrived at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s race. The two horses traveled together on the same flight from Southern California to Newark International Airport and quickly adjusted to their new surroundings after arriving by van.
Justin Curran, assistant to trainer Michael McCarthy, said of Journalism, “It was a calm trip. He always travels well and looks energetic.” Meanwhile, Roberto Luna, overseeing Goal Oriented’s preparations, commented, “He handled shipping well and is doing fine. Everything is good.”
Both Journalism and Goal Oriented finished last in their final Preakness outings but are scheduled for light morning workouts on Wednesday to familiarize themselves with the Monmouth track. Prior to this, each had completed strong training sessions at Santa Anita.
The Haskell Invitational, featuring 14 races including six stakes events, is a key event in the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, with the winner earning a guaranteed spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 1. Saturday’s first race starts at noon, with NBC broadcasting the United Nations and Haskell Stakes from 5 to 6 p.m. EST.
The full Haskell field, including riders and morning line odds from the rail, is as follows: Bracket Buster with John Velazquez at 10-1; Journalism with Humberto Rispoli at 4-5; Wildncrazynight with Isaac Castillo at 30-1; Burnham Square with Brian Hernandez, Jr. at 5-1; National Law with Irad Ortiz, Jr. at 20-1; Gosger with Luis Saez at 9-2; Kentucky Outlaw with Florent Gueru at 15-1; and Goal Oriented with Flavien Prat at 4-1.
This report was originally published by the Paulick Report on July 15, 2025.
Fan Take: The arrival of top competitors like Journalism and Goal Oriented at Monmouth Park amps up the excitement for fans, signaling a competitive showdown in the Haskell Invitational. Strong performances here not only impact the race but also shape the future of the sport by highlighting rising stars and validating key contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
