Long Branch Stakes

The Long Branch Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. Open to three-year-olds, it is contested on dirt over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs). It is generally viewed as a prep race for the Haskell Invitational. The race is named after nearby Long Branch, New Jersey.

Long Branch Stakes

Grade III race
Location	Monmouth Park Racetrack Oceanport, New Jersey, United States
Inaugurated	1878
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	www.monmouthpark.com
Race information
Distance	1+1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs)
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Three-year-olds
Weight	Assigned
Purse	$100,000^[1]

First run in 1878,^[2] it was raced annually through 1893 as the Long Branch Handicap after which the race track closed its gates. The race was revived in 1947, following the 1946 reopening of the new Monmouth Park. The race was discontinued after the 1958 running—as a handicap, it was not drawing large fields.^[3] In 1963, it was restarted as the Long Branch Stakes.^[4]

Past winners

The race was run annually from 1878 to 1893 (16 editions), and was later run annually from 1947 to 1958 (12 editions). After a four-year hiatus, the race was resumed in 1963, and has been run annually since then. The 2019 running was the 85th edition of the race.^[5]

1963–present

Since being resumed in 1963, the race has been open to three-year-olds. In 1963, the distance was three-quarters of a mile (six furlongs).^[6] From 1964 through 1989, the distance was one mile, some years run on dirt and some years run on turf.^[7][1] Since 1990, the race has been run at a 1+1⁄16 mile distance on dirt.

• 2019 – Joevia (Nik Juarez)^[5]
• 2018 – Navy Commander (Ángel Arroyo)^[8]
• 2017 – Phat Man (Wilmer Garcia)^[9]
• 2016 – No Distortion (Gabriel Saez)
• 2015 – Stanford (Joe Bravo)
• 2014 – Irish You Well (Orlando Bacochica)
• 2013 – Micromanage (Joe Bravo)
• 2012 – My Adonis (Elvis Trujillo)
• 2011 – Rattlesnake Bridge (Eddie Castro)^[10]
• 2010 – Trappe Shot (Alan Garcia)^[11]
• 2009 – Atomic Rain (Joe Bravo)
• 2008 – Truth Rules (Stewart Elliott)
• 2007 – First Defence (Javier Castellano)
• 2006 – Praying for Cash (José A. Vélez Jr.)
• 2005 – Park Avenue Ball (Chris DeCarlo)^[12]
• 2004 – Lion Heart (Joe Bravo)
• 2003 – Max Forever (José C. Ferrer)
• 2002 – Puck (Manuel Aguilar)
• 2001 – Burning Roma (Rick Wilson)
• 2000 – Thistyranthasclass (José A. Vélez Jr.)^[13]
• 1999 – Ghost Story
• 1998 – Favorite Trick
• 1997 – Jules (sire of Peace Rules)
• 1996 – Dr. Caton
• 1995 – Pyramid Peak
• 1994 – Meadow Flight
• 1993 – Bert's Bubbleator
• 1992 – Scudan (By 13 3/4 lengths over odds-on choice)
• 1991 – Sultry Song
• 1990 – Tees Prospect
• 1989 – Orange Sunshine
• 1988 – Mi Selecto
• 1987 – I'm So Bad
• 1986 – Lyphard Line
• 1985 – Bea Quality
• 1984 – Dr Schwarztsman
• 1983 – Smart Style (1st division), Princilian (2nd division)
• 1982 – Prince Westport (1st division), Play for Love (2nd division)
• 1981 – De La Rose (filly)
• 1980 – No Bend
• 1979 – Commodore
• 1978 – Mac Diarmida
• 1977 – P R Man
• 1976 – Pastry
• 1975 – Lee Gary
• 1974 – Silver Florin (1st Division), Hat Full (2nd Division)
• 1973 – Bemo
• 1972 – Deep Cut
• 1971 – Gleaming
• 1970 – Summer Resort
• 1969 – North Flight
• 1968 – Royal Trace
• 1967 – Blasting Charge (1st Division), Fort Marcy (2nd Division)
• 1966 – Assagai
• 1965 – Carry Forward
• 1964 – Phantom Shot
• 1963 – Gray Pet (Steve Brooks)^[14]

Mid-20th century

These races were run over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles, open to three-year-olds and up.

• 1958 – Little Hermit (Karl Korte)^[15]
• 1957 – Beau Fond (Howard Grant)^[16]
• 1956 – Skipper Bill (Joe Regalbuto)^[17]
• 1955 – Revolt (Henry Moreno)^[18]
• 1954 – Brown Booter (Bill Hartack)^[19]
• 1953 – Bit O Fate (Nick Shuk)^[20]
• 1952 – General Staff (James Stout)^[21]
• 1951 – Sheilas Reward (Dave Gorman)^[22]
• 1950 – Reveille (Ovie Scurlock)^[23]
• 1949 – Whirling Fox (Bobby Bernhardt)^[24]
• 1948 – Beauchef (Ruperto Donoso)^[25]
• 1947 – Polynesian (W. D. Wright)^[26]

19th century

These races were run at a distance of 1+1⁄4 mile (10 furlongs), and not restricted to three-year-olds.

• 1893 – Candelabra^[27]
• 1892 – Demuth^[28]
• 1891 – Eon^[29]
• 1890 – Reporter^[30]
• 1889 – Tarragon^[31]
• 1888 – Belvidere^[32]
• 1887 – Hidalgo^[33]
• 1886 – Rupert^[34]
• 1885 – Richmond^[35]
• 1884 – Eolist^[36]
• 1883 – Monitor^[37]
• 1882 – Monitor^[38]
• 1881 – Ripple^[39]
• 1880 – Report^[40]
• 1879 – Jericho^[41]
• 1878 – Little Reb^[42]

References

1. "Long Branch Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
2. "The Long Branch Races". The New York Times. May 24, 1878. p. 2. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
3. "Monmouth Park Discards 'Long Branch Handicap'". The Daily Record. Long Branch, New Jersey. April 16, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
4. "Ahoy Tabbed Favorite In Long Branch Stakes". The Daily Record. Long Branch, New Jersey. June 1, 1963. p. 9. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
5. "Joevia Targeting Haskell Invitational After Easy Long Branch Stakes Victory". paulickreport.com. May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
6. "Nominations For 7 Stakes Closed May 15". The Daily Register. Red Bank, New Jersey. May 16, 1963. p. 25. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
7. "2 Stake Races to Be Run On Monmouth Park Turf". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. June 8, 1964. p. 12. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
8. Vespe, Frank (July 7, 2018). "Navy Commander Puts 'em to Sleep in Long Branch". theracingbiz.com. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
9. "Phat Man Flies Late For Long Branch Score". monmouthpark.com. July 8, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
10. Falk, Steven (July 10, 2011). "McLaughlin goes home with four winners". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. C7. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
11. "'Shot' sprints home". Herald News. Passaic, New Jersey. July 11, 2010. p. C7. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
12. Badders, Bob (July 17, 2005). "Park Avenue Ball handles distance". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. H8. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
13. Jordan, Bob (July 20, 2000). "Haskell gets first NJ entry with Thistyranthasclass". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. D5. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
14. "Gray Pet Scores in Long Branch". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. June 2, 1963. p. 37. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
15. "Jack Kroese's Little Hermit Is 13-1 Winner". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. Associated Press. July 10, 1958. p. 46. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
16. "'Mudder' Beau Fond Wins In Long Branch Handicap". The Daily Register. Red Bank, New Jersey. June 27, 1957. p. 43. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
17. "Skipper Bill Sets Track Record at Monmouth Park". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. June 28, 1956. p. 29. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
18. "Long Branch Handicap Field Upset by Revolt". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. August 4, 1955. p. 20. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
19. "Brown Booter, 24-1, Captures Long Branch Handicap". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. August 5, 1954. p. 22. Retrieved May 27, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
20. "Bit O'Fate Captures Long Branch Handicap". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. August 6, 1953. p. 27. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
21. Sandford, Bill (July 17, 1952). "General Staff Wins Long Branch Handicap". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. p. 21. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
22. "(untitled)". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. July 1, 1951. p. 40. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
23. "15-1 Shor Reveille Wins Monmouth Race". Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. Associated Press. July 2, 1950. p. 22. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
24. "Whirling Fox Wins Long Branch Handicap Before Crowd of 21,458". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. July 3, 1949. p. 18. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
25. "Leads the Field to Win". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. July 4, 1948. p. 15. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
26. "Polynesian Wins Long Branch 'Cap". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. Associated Press. June 29, 1947. p. 5A. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
27. "A Plum for Candelabra". The Sun. New York City. July 16, 1893. p. 5. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
28. "Racing at Monmouth". The Standard Union. Brooklyn. July 6, 1892. p. 3. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
29. "Opening Day at Jerome Park". The Standard Union. Brooklyn. July 9, 1891. p. 3. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
30. "The Monmouth Oaks Race". The New York Times. July 6, 1890. p. 8. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
31. "Turf Chat". The Brooklyn Citizen. Brooklyn. July 8, 1889. p. 3. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
32. "Racing Extra". The Evening World. New York City. July 7, 1888. p. 1. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
33. "Hanover's $12,000 Gallop". New-York Tribune. New York City. July 8, 1887. p. 8. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
34. "Yesterday's Racing". The Brooklyn Union. Brooklyn. July 4, 1886. p. 8. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
35. "Kinney Beats Pontiac". The New York Times. July 5, 1885. p. 2. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
36. "Seven Races in the Mud". The New York Times. July 5, 1884. p. 3. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
37. "Racing at Monmouth Park". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn. July 5, 1883. p. 2. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
38. "Sporting Matters". The Buffalo Commercial. Buffalo, New York. July 3, 1882. p. 1. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
39. "Sporting News". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. July 3, 1881. p. 4. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
40. "Monmouth Park". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn. July 4, 1880. p. 4. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
41. "Sporting Record". Buffalo Weekly Courier. Buffalo, New York. July 9, 1879. p. 2. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
42. "A Splendid Day's Racing". The New York Times. June 30, 1878. p. 1. Retrieved May 26, 2019 – via newspapers.com.

External links

• Long Branch Stakes archive at paulickreport.com