The Grade III Eatontown Stakes returns to Monmouth Park, featuring a competitive field of fillies and mares in a 1 1/16-mile turf showdown. With a $150,000 purse, this race serves as a key stepping stone for horses targeting elite summer turf stakes, including the Grade I Diana Stakes at Saratoga.
Race Details
Event: Grade III Eatontown Stakes
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time: 5:24 PM ET
Venue: Monmouth Park, Oceanport, NJ
Surface: Turf (1 1/16 miles)
Purse: $150,000
TV Broadcast: TVG, Fox Sports, NYRA Bets
Top Contenders & Horse Profiles
1. Maggie Go (ARG) (Trainer: Chad Brown | Jockey: Flavien Prat)
Pedigree: Galileo – Maggie’s Dream (Storm Cat)
Career Record: 5 wins, 3 seconds from 12 starts
Recent Performance: Second in G2 New York Stakes
Strengths: Proven turf performer with strong closing speed
Concerns: Needs a fast pace to maximize late kick
2. Five Towns (Trainer: Graham Motion | Jockey: Jorge Ruiz)
Pedigree: Kitten’s Joy – Town Belle (Empire Maker)
Career Record: 4 wins, 2 seconds from 9 starts
Recent Performance: Winner of G3 Beaugay Stakes
Strengths: Versatile runner with tactical speed
Concerns: First attempt at Monmouth Park
3. Ozara (IRE) (Trainer: Miguel Clement | Jockey: Samuel Marin)
Pedigree: Frankel – Ozara’s Charm (Dubawi)
Career Record: 3 wins, 1 second from 7 starts
Recent Performance: Second in G2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes
Strengths: Elite pedigree with stamina potential
Concerns: Needs a breakthrough performance
4. Lady Firefoot (Trainer: Melanie Giddings | Jockey: TBD)
Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – Firefoot’s Legacy (Tapit)
Career Record: 2 wins, 3 seconds from 6 starts
Recent Performance: Allowance winner at Keeneland
Strengths: Late bloomer with untapped potential
Concerns: Facing seasoned competition in first graded stakes attempt
5. Delightful Ava (Trainer: James Frangella Jr. | Jockey: Madison Olver)
Pedigree: War Front – Ava’s Delight (Smart Strike)
Career Record: 6 wins, 4 seconds from 18 starts
Recent Performance: Fourth in G2 Gallorette Stakes
Strengths: Proven stakes performer with strong finishing kick
Concerns: Struggled in last outing
6. Damaso (Trainer: Kathleen O’Connell | Jockey: TBD)
Pedigree: Speightstown – Damaso’s Dream (Storm Cat)
Career Record: 3 wins, 2 seconds from 8 starts
Recent Performance: Winner of G3 Hillsborough Stakes
Strengths: Speedy front-runner with turf adaptability
Concerns: Adjusting to Monmouth’s tighter turns
7. Whiskey Decision (Trainer: Chad Brown | Jockey: Samy Camacho)
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Whiskey Belle (Curlin)
Career Record: 2 wins, 1 second from 5 starts
Recent Performance: Allowance winner at Belmont Park
Strengths: Improving form with elite connections
Concerns: Needs to prove consistency at graded level
Race Strategy & Betting Insights
Pace Projection: Damaso and Five Towns likely to press early, while Maggie Go and Ozara close late.
Key Matchups: Maggie Go vs. Five Towns in the stretch battle.
Dark Horse: Lady Firefoot could surprise with a breakout performance.
