Horse Race Preview: Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth Park

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Race Details

  • Event: Cliff Hanger Stakes (Listed)
  • Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
  • Time: 4:51 PM ET
  • Venue: Monmouth Park
  • Distance: 1 1/16 miles (Turf)
  • Purse: $100,000
  • Age Group: Three-year-olds & up

Field Overview & Contenders

The Cliff Hanger Stakes has drawn a competitive field of turf specialists, featuring a mix of graded stakes performers and rising contenders.

Signator (Jockey: Samuel Marin | Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III)

  • Recent Form: Stakes-placed runner with solid turf credentials.
  • Pedigree: By Tapit, known for producing elite turf and dirt runners.
  • Analysis: Signator has strong closing ability and could be a factor late in the race.

Highestdistinction (Jockey: Fernando Jara | Trainer: Lindsay Schultz)

  • Recent Form: Consistent performer in allowance races.
  • Pedigree: By Point of Entry, a sire known for stamina on turf.
  • Analysis: Highestdistinction has solid turf experience and could be a sleeper pick.

There Are No Words (Jockey: Frankie Pennington | Trainer: Chuck Spina)

  • Recent Form: Stakes winner with proven Monmouth Park success.
  • Pedigree: By California Chrome, a sire known for producing versatile runners.
  • Analysis: There Are No Words has local experience and could be a strong contender.

Belouni (FR) (Jockey: Samy Camacho | Trainer: Chad Brown)

  • Recent Form: European import with strong turf credentials.
  • Pedigree: By Fast Company (IRE), a sire known for producing turf specialists.
  • Analysis: Belouni has international experience and could be dangerous.

Forever Souper (Jockey: Antonio A. Gallardo | Trainer: Michael Trombetta)

  • Recent Form: Stakes winner with strong recent form.
  • Pedigree: By American Pharoah, a sire known for producing turf runners.
  • Analysis: Forever Souper has the best recent form and could be the horse to beat.

Offaly Cool (Jockey: Abner Adorno | Trainer: Jacinto Solis)

  • Recent Form: Stakes-placed runner with solid speed figures.
  • Pedigree: By Kantharos, a sire known for producing sprinters.
  • Analysis: Offaly Cool has good tactical speed and could be a factor.

Otago (Jockey: Axel Concepcion | Trainer: Kelsey Danner)

  • Recent Form: Stakes performer with strong closing ability.
  • Pedigree: By Speightstown, a sire known for producing elite sprinters.
  • Analysis: Otago has a strong finishing kick and could be dangerous late.

He’spuregold (Jockey: Paco Lopez | Trainer: Kelly Breen)

  • Recent Form: Stakes winner with Monmouth Park success.
  • Pedigree: By Vancouver (AUS), a sire known for producing turf runners.
  • Analysis: He’spuregold has local experience and could be a strong contender.

Fulmineo (Jockey: Victor R. Carrasco | Trainer: Arnaud Delacour)

  • Recent Form: Stakes performer with improving form.
  • Pedigree: By Bolt d’Oro, a sire known for producing versatile runners.
  • Analysis: Fulmineo has solid turf credentials and could surprise.

Race Strategy & Prediction

  • Pace Scenario: Expect Forever Souper and There Are No Words to set the early pace, with Belouni and Otago tracking closely.
  • Closing Threats: Signator and Fulmineo could make late moves if the pace is fast.
  • Prediction: Forever Souper has the best recent form and proven turf ability, making him the horse to beat. Belouni and He’spuregold should be right there in contention, with Otago as a potential upset candidate.