The Grade III Monmouth Cup Stakes returns to Monmouth Park on Saturday, July 19, 2025, as Race 6 on the card. This $400,000 dirt stakes for 3-year-olds and up spans 1⅛ miles, drawing a competitive field of seasoned routers, elite pedigrees, and powerhouse East Coast connections.
Top Contenders & Pedigree Profiles
| Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree Highlights | Morning Line Odds |
| Just a Touch | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Justify × Touching Beauty | 3-5 Favorite |
| Classic Catch | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Classic Empire × Moon Catcher | 5-2 |
| Vitality | Edgard Zayas | Joseph F. Orseno | Street Boss × Belissimo | 6-1 |
| Surface to Air | Samuel Marin | Panagiotis Synnefias | Midshipman × Shemazon | 8-1 |
| Cadet Corps | Javier Castellano | Kelly J. Breen | Will Take Charge × Boxford Belle | 12-1 |
| Gran Yaco | Jorge A. Vargas Jr. | Juan Carlos Avila | City of Light × Like It Hot | 30-1 |
| Rabbit Hound | Sonny Leon | Dan Ward | Ransom the Moon × Minx | 30-1 |
| Real Sensation | Melissa Iorio | Frank J. Poalucci | Preservationist × Woodville | 30-1 |
Pedigree Power Plays
Just a Touch, by Justify, is bred for brilliance and stamina. His dam Touching Beauty adds Grade 2-winning class and speed. Classic Catch, by Classic Empire, is a consistent performer with a pedigree built for middle-distance dirt routes. Vitality, by Street Boss, brings sprinting speed and tactical versatility—ideal for pressing the pace. Surface to Air, by Midshipman, has shown flashes of late kick and could surprise with a ground-saving trip.
Jockey & Trainer Dynamics
Florent Geroux and Brad Cox team up with Just a Touch, who enters off a sharp third in the Grade I Met Mile. Irad Ortiz Jr., aboard Classic Catch, is a master of timing and pairs well with Pletcher’s tactical training style. Javier Castellano rides Cadet Corps, who’s coming off a gritty win at Laurel Park and could be a live longshot. Edgard Zayas, aboard Vitality, has a knack for placing horses in perfect stalking position.
Race Strategy
Just a Touch will likely stalk the pace and unleash a powerful stretch run. Classic Catch may sit mid-pack and grind down rivals late. Vitality and Cadet Corps could press the pace early and test the favorite’s stamina. Surface to Air and Gran Yaco are value plays if the pace collapses.
