Monmouth Oaks
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The Monmouth Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey for three-year-old fillies. Named for England's Epsom Oaks, first run in 1779, the inaugural American edition took place in 1871. Originally raced over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles from 1871 through 1877, there was no race in 1878 but on its return the following year was modified to 1+1⁄4 miles.
In 1891, the New Jersey Legislature began a move to ban parimutuel betting and the Oaks had to be moved to the Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx, New York. With a legislated permanent ban, after the 1893 running the Monmouth Park Racetrack was shut down and the property sold. In 1946, Thoroughbred racing returned to a new Monmouth Park racing facility. The revived Monmouth Oaks was set at 1 1/16 miles.
Historical notes
Over the years, the Oaks has been won by some of the best fillies in the United States including U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees, Dark Mirage (1968), Gallant Bloom (1969) and Desert Vixen (1973).
The inaugural running at the Long Branch track took place on July 6, 1871, and the mile and one-half race was won by Kentuckian Abraham Buford's Salina, a daughter of Lexington and out of the mare Lightsome by Glencoe.
In winning the 1956 edition of the Monmouth Oaks, Levee's time of 1:48 4/5 broke the track record for a mile and one-eighth on dirt.
In 1969 Gallant Bloom earned her fourth straight win of the year, capturing the Oaks by 12 lengths.
Spain won the 2000 running of the Monmouth Oaks then went on to win that year's Breeders' Cup Distaff for owner Prince Ahmed bin Salman's The Thoroughbred Corp. Spain retired as the richest mare in North American racing history.
Records
Speed record:
- 1:41.54 @ 1-1/16 miles: Shahama. (2022)
- 1:48.00 @ 1-1/8 miles: Golden Horde (1985) & Without Feathers (1987)
- 2:12.50 @ 1+1⁄4 miles: Firenze (1887)
- 2:42.00 @ 1+1⁄2 miles: Woodbine (1872)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - Eddie Arcaro (1947, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1955)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 6 - Todd A. Pletcher (2004, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2022, 2024)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - August Belmont Sr. (1872, 1876, 1890)
- 3 - Pierre Lorillard IV (1877, 1882, 1885)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Purse $ | Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Running Away | Victor Espinoza | Wesley Ward | Stud TNT | 1-1/16 m | 1:46.26 | $252,000 | G3 |
| 2024 | Scalable | Paco Lopez | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.71 | $255,500 | G3 |
| 2023 | Occult | Feargal Lynch | Chad C. Brown | Alpha Delta Stables | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.74 | $262,500 | G3 |
| 2022 | Shahama | Jorge A. Vargas Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | KHK Racing LLC | 1-1/16 m | 1:41.54 | $245,000 | G3 |
| 2021 | Leader of the Band | Frankie Pennington | John Servis | SMD Limited | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.44 | $259,000 | G3 |
| 2020 | Hopeful Growth | Antonio A. Gallardo | Anthony R. Margotta Jr. | St. Elias Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.63 | $212,000 | G3 |
| 2019 | Horologist | Angel Suarez | John F. Mazza | There's A Chance Stable (racing partnership) | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.44 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2018 | Skeptic | Brian Hernandez Jr. | George R. Arnold II | G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Ashbrook Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.84 | $106,000 | G3 |
| 2017 | Teresa Z | Nik Juarez | Anthony Margotta Jr. | St. Elias Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.43 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2016 | Unbridled Mo | Paco Lopez | Todd A. Pletcher | Red Oak Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.35 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2015 | Delightful Joy | Paco Lopez | Chad C. Brown | Sheep Pond Partners, Robert V. LaPenta, Bradley Thoroughbreds | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.74 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2014 | Cassatt | Kerwin D. Clark | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.34 | $105,000 | G3 |
| 2013 | Seaneen Girl | Paco Lopez | Bernard S. Flint | Naveed Chowhan | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.04 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2012 | Wine Princess | Joe Bravo | Steve Margolis | Pearl Bloodstock | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.11 | $101,000 | G3 |
| 2011 | Savvy Supreme | Elvis Trujillo | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.27 | $159,000 | G3 |
| 2010 | No Such Word | Terry J. Thompson | Cindy Jones | Brereton C. Jones | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.10 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2009 | Just Jenda | Gabriel Saez | Larry Jones | Cindy Jones | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.69 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2008 | Maren's Meadow | Terry J. Thompson | Larry Jones | River Ridge Ranch | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.05 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2007 | Talkin About Love | Stewart Elliott | Kevin Sleeter | Kevin Sleeter | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.78 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2006 | Mo Cuishle | José A. Santos | Todd A. Pletcher | Martin, O'Grady, Rucker | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.00 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2005 | Flying Glitter | Elvis Trujillo | Ronny Werner | Richard & Nancy Kaster | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.60 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2004 | Capeside Lady | Chris Decarlo | Todd A. Pletcher | So Madcapt Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.00 | $200,000 | G2 |
| 2003 | Race not held | |||||||
| 2002 | Magic Storm | Edwin L. King Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook & William A. Marquard | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.00 | $250,000 | G2 |
| 2001 | Unbridled Elaine | Eibar Coa | David R. Vance | Roger J. Davenport | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.00 | $250,000 | G2 |
| 2000 | Spain | José A. Vélez Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.60 | $250,000 | G2 |
| 1999 | Silverbulletday | Jerry Bailey | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.00 | $200,000 | G2 |
| 1998 | Kirby's Song | Todd Kabel | Tino Attard | Kirby Canada Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.20 | $200,000 | G2 |
| 1997 | Blushing K. D. | Lonnie Meche | Sam B. David Jr. | James & Sue Burns | 1-1/16 m | 1:41.80 | $200,000 | G2 |
| 1996 | Top Secret | Joe Bravo | George R. Arnold II | John H. Peace | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.20 | $200,000 | G2 |
| 1995 | Kathie's Colleen | Jim McAleney | Mike Keogh | Gustav Schickedanz | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.40 | $150,000 | G2 |
| 1994 | Two Altazano | Craig Perret | Michael Stidham | Harold V. Goodman | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.00 | $150,000 | G2 |
| 1993 | Jacody | Tom Turner | William Donovan | Minrashe Nanbri | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $150,000 | G2 |
| 1992 | Diamond Duo | Tom Turner | William Donovan | H & D Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.40 | $150,000 | G2 |
| 1991 | Fowda | Richard Migliore | Richard J. Lundy | Allen E. Paulson | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $150,000 | G2 |
| 1990 | Pampered Star | José C. Ferrer | Robert J. Frankel | Morley Engelson | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.40 | $150,000 | G2 |
| 1989 | Dream Deal | Craig Perret | Joseph H. Pierce Jr. | G. Watts Humphrey Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $150,000 | G1 |
| 1988 | Maplejinsky | Chris Antley | Phillip G. Johnson | Susan Kaskel | 1-1/8 m | 1:53.60 | $175,000 | G1 |
| 1987 | Without Feathers | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Dennis Donahue | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.00 | $160,400 | G1 |
| 1986 | Fighter Fox | Herb McCauley | LeRoy Jolley | Kentucky Blue Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $166,950 | G1 |
| 1985 | Golden Horde | Herb McCauley | J. Willard Thompson | Mrs. J. W. Walker Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.00 | $162,300 | G1 |
| 1984 | Life's Magic | Jorge Velásquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Mel Hatley & Gene Klein | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $161,750 | G1 |
| 1983 | Quixotic Lady | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | Ross Valley Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $107,950 | G1 |
| 1982 | Christmas Past | Jacinto Vásquez | Angel Penna Jr. | Cynthia Phipps | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.80 | $111,750 | G1 |
| 1981 | Prismatical | Don Brumfield | Laz Barrera | Happy Valley Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.80 | $82,500 | G1 |
| 1980 | Rose of Morn | Don Brumfield | Robert G. Vanwert | Meadow Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $55,050 | G1 |
| 1979 | Burn's Return | Jacinto Vásquez | Scotty Schulhofer | Ivanhoe Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.80 | $54,950 | G1 |
| 1978 | Sharp Belle | B. Douglas Thomas | Warren A. Croll Jr. | Aisco Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.40 | $55,050 | G1 |
| 1977 | Small Raja | Mickey Solomone | Thomas J. Kelly | David P. Reynolds | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $55,350 | G1 |
| 1976 | Revidere | Jacinto Vásquez | David A. Whiteley | William Haggin Perry | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $55,750 | G1 |
| 1975 | Aunt Jin | Carlos H. Marquez Sr. | W. "Sonny" Hightower | Paul Cresci | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $54,300 | G1 |
| 1974 | Honky Star | Walter Blum | Gordon Potter | Dan Lasater | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $59,450 | G1 |
| 1973 | Desert Vixen | Michael Hole | Thomas F. Root Sr. | Harry T. Mangurian Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.00 | $57,650 | G1 |
| 1972 | Summer Guest | Ron Turcotte | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $56,500 | |
| 1971 | Forward Gal | Michael Hole | Warren A. Croll Jr. | Aisco Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $57,700 | |
| 1970 | Kilts N Kapers | Garth Patterson | Harold H. Goodwin | Mrs. M. W. Schott | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $57,450 | |
| 1969 | Gallant Bloom | Braulio Baeza | William J. Hirsch | King Ranch | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.80 | $54,150 | |
| 1968 | Dark Mirage | Manuel Ycaza | Everett W. King | Lloyd I. Miller | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.40 | $54,650 | |
| 1967 | Quillo Queen | Ernest Cardone | James E. Picou | Martin Anderson | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.20 | $54,150 | |
| 1966 | Natashka | Bill Shoemaker | William A. Peterson | George F. Getty II | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $54,650 | |
| 1965 | Summer Scandal | Garth Patterson | Woods Garth | Harborvale Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $57,350 | |
| 1964 | Miss Cavandish | Howard Grant | Roger Laurin | Harry S. Nichols | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.80 | 56,250 | |
| 1963 | Lamb Chop | Howard Grant | James W. Maloney | William Haggin Perry | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.60 | $56,100 | |
| 1962 | Firm Policy | Johnny Sellers | E. Barry Ryan | E. Barry Ryan | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.80 | $57,200 | |
| 1961 | My Portrait | Ray Broussard | Julius E. Tinsley Jr. | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.80 | $56,800 | |
| 1960 | Teacation | Walter Blum | Charles R. Parke | Fred W. Hooper | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $57,900 | |
| 1959 | Royal Native | Joe Culmone | Kenny Noe Sr. | Perne L. Grissom | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $55,000 | |
| 1958 | A Glitter | Ismael Valenzuela | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.40 | $56,600 | |
| 1957 | Romanita | Jack Skelly | Frankie Sanders | Reverie Knoll Farm (Freeman Keyes) | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $59,700 | |
| 1956 | Levee | Hedley Woodhouse | Norman R. McLeod | Vernon G. Cardy | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.80 | $56,600 | |
| 1955 | Misty Morn | Eddie Arcaro | Jim Fitzsimmons | Wheatley Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $61,800 | |
| 1954 | Evening Out | Eddie Arcaro | Jack Creevy | Jessie Sloane Widener | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $63,000 | |
| 1953 | Grecian Queen | Nick Shuk | James P. Conway | Florence Whitaker | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.20 | $59,300 | |
| 1952 | La Corredora | Ira Hanford | Carl Hanford | Marian W. O'Connor | 1-1/16 m | 1:46.00 | $26,750 | |
| 1951 | Ruddy | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:48.00 | $19,500 | |
| 1950 | Siama | Eddie Arcaro | Moody Jolley | Cain Hoy Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.20 | $12,825 | |
| 1949 | Adile | Eddie Arcaro | Oscar White | Sarah F. Jeffords | 1-1/16 m | 1:46.00 | $12,425 | |
| 1948 | Compliance | James Stout | George H. Strate | Lester Manor Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.00 | $11,975 | |
| 1947 | First Flight | Eddie Arcaro | Sylvester Veitch | C.V. Whitney | 1-1/16 m | 1:46.00 | $13,075 | |
| 1946 | Dorothy Brown | Eric Guerin | John B. Theall | John B. Theall | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.20 | $10,000 | |
| 1894 | – 1945 | Race not held | ||||||
| 1893 | Augusta Belle | John Lamley | G. H. Kernochan | 1-1/4 m | 2:10.75 | $3,040 † | ||
| 1892 | Yorkville Belle | Isaac Burns Murphy | Matthew M. Allen | Frank A. Ehret | 1-1/4 m | 2:08.25 | $3,710 | |
| 1891 | Nellie Bly | Fred Taral | Edward J. McElmell | 1-1/4 m | 2:16.25 | $4,260 | ||
| 1890 | Her Highness | Anthony Hamilton | James G. Rowe Sr. | August Belmont Sr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:15.00 | $5,040 | |
| 1889 | Senorita | Anthony Hamilton | John W. Rogers | Samuel S. Brown | 1-1/4 m | 2:16.50 | $3,900 | |
| 1888 | Los Angeles | William Hayward | Robert E. Campbell | E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin | 1-1/4 m | 2:15.25 | $4,300 | |
| 1887 | Firenze | Edward H. Garrison | Matthew Byrnes | James Ben Ali Haggin | 1-1/4 m | 2:12.50 | $3,540 | |
| 1886 | Dew Drop | Jim McLaughlin | Frank McCabe | Dwyer Brothers Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:10.75 | $2,690 | |
| 1885 | Wanda | Harris Onley | Matthew Byrnes | Pierre Lorillard IV | 1-1/4 m | 2:14.25 | $2,890 | |
| 1884 | Duchess | William Donohue | Evert V. Snedecker | Evert V. Snedeker & Co. | 1-1/4 m | 2:14.00 | $2,890 | |
| 1883 | Miss Woodford | Jim McLaughlin | James G. Rowe Sr. | Dwyer Brothers Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:20.50 | $3,100 | |
| 1882 | Hiawasse | Matthew Feakes | Matthew Byrnes | Pierre Lorillard IV | 1-1/4 m | 2:23.00 | $2,790 | |
| 1881 | Thora | William Donohue | Charles Reed | 1-1/4 m | 2:14.50 | $2,790 | ||
| 1880 | Nancy | Lloyd Hughes | David D. Withers | 1-1/4 m | 2:19.25 | $2,700 | ||
| 1879 | Ferida | Lloyd Hughes | R. Wyndham Walden | George L. Lorillard | 1-1/4 m | 2:16.00 | $2,100 | |
| 1878 | Race not held | |||||||
| 1877 | Zoo-Zoo | William Barrett | William Pryor | Pierre Lorillard IV | 1-1/2 m | 2:44.25 | $2,500 | |
| 1876 | Patience | Matthew Feakes | Jacob Pincus | August Belmont Sr. | 1-1/2 m | 2:48.25 | $2,700 | |
| 1875 | Ascension | William Lakeland | William Cottrill | 1-1/2 m | 2:46.25 | $2,250 | ||
| 1874 | Regardless | Dan Sparling | William Brown | Francis Morris | 1-1/2 m | 2:45.00 | $2,800 | |
| 1873 | Lizzie Lucas | George Barbee | Thomas W. Doswell | Thomas W. Doswell | 1-1/2 m | 2:45.00 | $2,850 | |
| 1872 | Woodbine | Floyd | Jacob Pincus | August Belmont Sr. | 1-1/2 m | 2:42.00 | $2,450 | |
| 1871 | Salina | Robert Swim | Abraham Buford | 1-1/2 m | 2:43.50 | $1,900 |
- † $ value reported is winners share of the purse from inception in 1871 thru 1893.