Long Branch Stakes Explained

Class:	Grade III
Horse Race:	Long Branch Stakes
Location:	Monmouth Park Racetrack Oceanport, New Jersey, United States
Inaugurated:	1878
Race Type:	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance:	miles (8.5 furlongs)
Surface:	Dirt
Track:	left-handed
Qualification:	Three-year-olds
Weight:	Assigned
Purse:	$100,000^[1]

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 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.

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.

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).^[5] From 1964 through 1989, the distance was one mile, some years run on dirt and some years run on turf.^{[6] [1]} Since 1990, the race has been run at a mile distance on dirt.

• 2019 – Joevia (Nik Juarez)^[7]
• 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 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 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]

External links

• Long Branch Stakes archive at paulickreport.com

Notes and References

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