Cliff Hanger Stakes

Cliff Hanger Stakes
Grade III race
LocationMonmouth Park Racetrack
Oceanport, New Jersey, United States
Inaugurated1977
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteMonmouth Park
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds & up
WeightAssigned
Purse$102,000 (2023)

The Cliff Hanger Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey in May. Open to horses age three and older, it is now contested on turf over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.[1] As of 2023, the purse is $102,000.[2]

Known as the Cliff Hanger Handicap until 2008, it was raced on dirt from 1978 through 1981 and again in 1985 and 1987. Prior to 1982, it was restricted to horses bred in the State of New Jersey.

Records

Speed record:

  • 8.5 Furlongs – 1:39 2/5 – Wanderkin (1988), Dixie Bayou (1997)
  • 9 Furlongs – 1:46.16 – Winning Cause (2014)

Most wins:

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners since 1999

Year
 Winner
 Age
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Time
2023 Big Everest 5 Jorge Vargas Jr. Christophe Clement Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Rocco and William Branch 1:40.42
2016 Can'thelpbelieving (IRE) 5 Trevor McCarthy H. Graham Motion Albert Frassetto 1:46.77
2015 Middleburg 5 Joe Bravo Christophe Clement Mr. & Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone 1:48.52
2014 Winning Cause 4 Eddie Castro Todd Pletcher Alto Racing LLC 1:46.16
2013 Summer Front 4 Joe Bravo Christophe Clement Waterford Stable 1:41.49
2012 Tune Me In 5 Paco Lopez Bruce F. Alexander Patricia A. Generazio 1:33.96
2011 Yummy with Butter 8 Paco Lopez Yvon Belsoeur Bruno Schickedanz 1:32.75
2010 no race
2009 Brave Tin Soldier 5 Carlos Marquez Jr. Kiaran McLaughlin Kiaran McLaughlin 1:45.52
2008 Kiss the Kid 5 Rajiv Maragh Amy Tarrant Hardacre Farm/Amy Tarrant 1:43.60
2007 Presious Passion 4 Alan Garcia Mary Hartmann Patricia A. Generazio 1:41.48
2006 Old Forester 5 Edgar Prado William I. Mott Live Oak Racing 1:42.54
2005 Hotstufanthensome 5 Rajiv Maragh Norman Pointer Leslie Steinger 1:54.32
2004 Dr. Kashnikow 7 Richard Migliore John R. S. Fisher Erdenheim Farm 1:42.41
2003 no race
2002 Saint Verre 4 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens H. Joseph Allen 1:42.40
2001 Crash Course 5 Rick Wilson Warren W. Croll Jr. Jesse Mack Robinson 1:43.14
2000 North East Bound 4 José Vélez Jr. William W. Perry J. Demarco/R. Disano 1:41.78
1999 Virginia Carnival 7 Jean-Luc Samyn Jonathan Sheppard John A. Franks 1:42.44

Earlier winners

  • 1998 – Mi Narrow
  • 1997 – Dixie Bayou
  • 1996 – Thorny Crown
  • 1995 – Mighty Forum
  • 1994 – Binary Light
  • 1993 – Excellent Tipper
  • 1992 – Roman Envoy
  • 1991 – Finder's Choice
  • 1990 – Chas' Whim
  • 1989 – Ten Keys
  • 1988 – Wanderkin
  • 1987 – Silver Comet
  • 1987 – Foligno
  • 1986 – Explosive Darling
  • 1985 – Late Act
  • 1984 – Late Act
  • 1984 – Cozzene
  • 1983 – Erin's Tiger
  • 1982 – Erin's Tiger
  • 1982 – Acaroid
  • 1981 – Bill Wheeler
  • 1980 – Quality T. V.
  • 1979 – Exclusively Mine
  • 1978 – Mr. Lincroft
  • 1977 – Dan Horn

References

  1. ^ "Stakes Schedule". Monmouth Park. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  2. ^ "Cliff Hanger S. (BT)". BloodHorse. Retrieved 2023-10-16.