Scheduled Post Time: 5:20 PM EDT
Race Conditions:
• 1 3/8 Miles (11 furlongs)
• Turf
• 3‑Year‑Olds & Up
• Grade II
• $300,000 Purse
The United Nations Stakes is Monmouth Park’s crown‑jewel turf marathon, a historic Grade II event that routinely attracts elite long‑distance turf runners from the East Coast, Kentucky, and international barns. The 1 3/8‑mile configuration on Monmouth’s sweeping turf course rewards stamina, tactical positioning, and a powerful late turn‑of‑foot, and this year’s field is deep with graded‑stakes winners, proven marathoners, and rising turf routers.
Venue: Monmouth Park — Oceanport, NJ
Surface: Firm turf expected
Course Type: Seven‑furlong turf course
Configuration:
Long run into the first turn
Sweeping turns ideal for stamina horses
Long, fair stretch
Turf Bias:
Slightly favors stalkers and mid‑pack runners
Deep closers can win at 11 furlongs
Weather Forecast
Temperature: 82–84°F
Humidity: ~60%
Wind: 7–10 mph from the southeast
Conditions: Partly cloudy, firm turf
Impact:
Perfect turf marathon conditions
Horses with proven stamina gain advantage
No moisture expected to soften the course
Field Analysis — Grade II United Nations Stakes (Race 11)
(Morning‑line odds are projections based on typical Monmouth graded‑stakes pricing.)
Post 1 — Shoreline Sovereign
ML Odds: 4‑1 Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Flavien Prat
Recent Finishes:
2nd — Grade I Manhattan (Belmont, 1 1/4m Turf)
3rd — Grade II Fort Marcy (Belmont, 1 1/8m Turf)
1st — Allowance (Aqueduct, 1 1/8m Turf)
Analysis:
A rail‑draw turf router with elite graded‑stakes form. Sovereign has tactical speed and Prat is exceptional at saving ground in long turf races. Brown has won multiple United Nations editions.
Strengths:
Rail draw ideal for marathon trip
Proven Grade I form
Elite trainer/jockey combo
Concerns:
Must avoid getting boxed in
Needs a clean trip through traffic
Post 2 — Empire’s Honor
ML Odds: 6‑1 Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Recent Finishes:
1st — Allowance (Belmont, 1 3/8m Turf)
4th — Grade II Pan American (Gulfstream, 1 1/2m Turf)
2nd — Allowance (Aqueduct, 1 1/4m Turf)
Analysis:
A versatile long‑distance turf runner with a strong late kick. Empire’s Honor is improving rapidly and Ortiz excels with horses who make one sustained run.
Strengths:
Excellent late stamina
Elite jockey/trainer combo
Proven at marathon distances
Concerns:
Needs pace to run at
Can get shuffled back early
Post 3 — Coastal Crusader
ML Odds: 5‑2 (Favorite) Trainer: Christophe Clement Jockey: Joel Rosario
Recent Finishes:
1st — Grade II Belmont Gold Cup (2 miles Turf)
2nd — Grade I Turf Classic (Churchill, 1 1/8m Turf)
1st — Allowance (Belmont, 1 1/4m Turf)
Analysis:
The class of the field. Crusader owns the best turf marathon speed figures and has already beaten several rivals. Rosario fits him perfectly, allowing him to settle and unleash a powerful late run.
Strengths:
Best stamina profile
Proven graded‑stakes winner
Ideal running style for 11 furlongs
Concerns:
Will be heavily bet
Needs clear sailing late
Post 4 — Garden State Guardian
ML Odds: 12‑1 Trainer: Greg Sacco Jockey: Jevian Toledo
Recent Finishes:
3rd — Allowance (Monmouth, 1 1/8m Turf)
5th — Grade II Fort Marcy
1st — Maiden (Monmouth, 1m Turf)
Analysis:
A grinding type who prefers long, sustained runs rather than quick bursts. Guardian is a one‑paced horse who needs a hot early tempo to set up his late kick.
Strengths:
Strong stamina
Runs evenly every time
Could benefit from pace meltdown
Concerns:
Lacks acceleration
Needs perfect setup
Post 5 — Atlantic Admiral
ML Odds: 7‑2 Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Edgard Zayas
Recent Finishes:
2nd — Grade II Pan American (1 1/2m Turf)
1st — Allowance (Gulfstream, 1 1/4m Turf)
3rd — Grade III W.L. McKnight (1 1/2m Turf)
Analysis:
A rapidly improving turf router with tactical speed. Admiral nearly wired a graded field last out but tired late. Zayas is aggressive and may send early.
Strengths:
Strong early speed
Proven marathon form
Outside post allows clean run
Concerns:
Vulnerable to late closers
Needs moderate pace to avoid burnout
Post 6 — Boardwalk Baron
ML Odds: 15‑1 Trainer: Ian Wilkes Jockey: Chris Landeros
Recent Finishes:
3rd — Allowance (Churchill, 1 1/4m Turf)
4th — Allowance (Monmouth, 1 1/8m Turf)
5th — Maiden (Churchill)
Analysis:
A longshot with modest figures but improving form. Baron has shown better tactical positioning recently. Landeros is a capable rider who will try to work out a mid‑pack trip.
Strengths:
Improving slowly
Can sit mid‑pack
Outsider with upset potential
Concerns:
Lacks graded‑stakes experience
Needs major jump in speed
Pace Projection
Early Speed: Atlantic Admiral
Pressers: Shoreline Sovereign
Closers: Coastal Crusader, Empire’s Honor, Garden State Guardian, Boardwalk Baron
Expect a moderate pace, with Admiral trying to clear and Sovereign pressing. Crusader sits the perfect marathon trip.
