Further Ado is heading into Saturday’s 2026 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park as the 2-1 morning-line favorite, but one elite handicapper is telling everyone to pump the brakes. This horse has had a wild ride recently, finishing a disappointing 11th in the Kentucky Derby after being the pre-race favorite, though he did bounce back last month with a win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes. Now, all eyes are on the Haskell, but not everyone is convinced by the favorite.
Menez’s Track Record Speaks Volumes
Before you even think about placing a bet, you need to hear from Gene Menez, the SportsLine expert with a serious winning streak. Menez, a former Sports Illustrated reporter, has covered horse racing for nearly 14 years. He called Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby back in 2010. And get this: in 2024, he absolutely crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday for a massive $5,303 payday. Last year, he nailed the winner, trifecta, and superfecta in the Florida Derby for a $529.60 score, plus the winner and trifecta in the Blue Grass Stakes for a $761.96 jackpot. He even hit the late Pick 4 on Kentucky Oaks day for $915.48, and hammered the exacta and trifecta in the Kentucky Derby for a $1,045 payout. Earlier this year, he struck big on Fountain of Youth day, hitting the late Pick 5 for $4,648. The dude knows his stuff.
Why the Favorite Is a Trap Bet
So, with that kind of resume, when Menez says he’s *not* high on Further Ado, you gotta listen. The favorite will break from post No. 2, but Menez isn’t putting his money on him. He told SportsLine, “Further Ado’s Blue Grass Stakes victory remains one of the best performances, if not the best performance, by a 3-year-old this year. But he was not able to replicate that in the Kentucky Derby.” He’s worried Further Ado needs perfect conditions to run his race and still hasn’t strung together consecutive fast efforts. While the horse could definitely win, Menez isn’t backing him at 2-1. Instead, Menez is riding with a horse he believes has “a tactical edge.”
Other top horses in the Haskell field include Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo (5-2), Iron Honor (3-1), The Puma (7-2), and Ocelli (6-1). Post time for the race is 5:45 p.m. ET, with a forecast of 76 degrees and storms in the area. You can head over to SportsLine to see Menez’s full picks and find out which horse he’s truly backing to win the Haskell Stakes.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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