Race Overview
Track: Monmouth Park (Oceanport, NJ)
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025
Post Time: 4:30 PM ET (Race 8)
Distance: 1 Mile (Turf)
Purse: $85,000
Eligibility: Jersey-bred 3-Year-Olds & Up
Race Type: Restricted Handicap
The Irish War Cry Handicap is a premier turf event for New Jersey-breds, named after the multiple graded stakes-winning son of Curlin. This year’s edition features a compelling mix of proven veterans, rising turf stars, and a living legend in He’spuregold, who will attempt to win this race for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year.
Full Field & Analysis
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Sire | Notable |
| 1 | One Time Willard | Axel Concepcion | Kelly Breen | Micromanage | Runner-up in 2024 edition; tactical speed |
| 2 | Leo Monte | Chantal Sutherland | Jorge Delgado | Hey Chub | On a two-race win streak |
| 3 | He’spuregold | Paco Lopez | Kelly Breen | Vancouver (AUS) | 4-time winner of this race; 7 stakes wins |
| 4 | I’m On Fire | Melissa Iorio | Patrick McBurney | Jump Start | Recent allowance winner; improving |
| 5 | Go to the Kingdom | Jose Batista | Cathal Lynch | Animal Kingdom | Needs pace to close into |
| 6 | Wild Jaime | Jeiron Barbosa | Panagiotis Synnefias | Micromanage | Lightly raced; class test |
| 7 | Gold Trust | Samy Camacho | Michael Dini | Handsome Mike | Sharp allowance win June 27 |
| 8 | There Are No Words | Samuel Marin | Chuck Spina | California Chrome | Highest-rated in field (111); versatile |
| 9 | Vesparo | Abner Adorno | Rory Huston | English Channel | Consistent turf form; late closer |
| 10 | Speaking | Jorge Vargas Jr. | Eddie Owens Jr. | Mr Speaker | Won John J. Reilly Handicap last out |
| 11 | Forever Chocolate | Paco Lopez (2nd mount) | Rory Huston | Boys At Tosconova | Won Friendly Lover Handicap; turf test |
Top Contenders to Watch
He’spuregold (Post 3)
Trainer: Kelly Breen
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Pedigree: Vancouver (AUS) × Smart N Classy (Smart Strike)
Why He’s Dangerous: A Monmouth Park legend, He’spuregold is seeking his fifth straight win in this race. With 9 career wins and over $636,000 in earnings, he’s the most accomplished Jersey-bred turf horse in recent memory. A fourth-place finish in the Cliff Hanger Stakes (open company) should set him up perfectly for this return to state-bred competition.
There Are No Words (Post 8)
Trainer: Chuck Spina
Jockey: Samuel Marin
Pedigree: California Chrome × Way With Words
Why He’s Dangerous: Rated 111, the highest in the field. He’s a multiple stakes winner with tactical speed and a strong turf foundation. Finished 6th in the Cliff Hanger but fits much better here.
Leo Monte (Post 2)
Trainer: Jorge Delgado
Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
Pedigree: Hey Chub × Splendored Thing
Why He’s Dangerous: Comes in off back-to-back wins, including a sharp allowance score. Lightly raced this season and peaking at the right time.
Pedigree Highlights
Vancouver (AUS), sire of He’spuregold, is a Group 1-winning son of Medaglia d’Oro, known for producing turf milers with stamina and class.
California Chrome, sire of There Are No Words, brings global versatility and stamina to the pedigree.
Micromanage, sire of One Time Willard and Wild Jaime, is a son of Medaglia d’Oro and a consistent regional influence.
Trainer & Jockey Insights
Kelly Breen trains both He’spuregold and One Time Willard, giving him a strong hand in this race.
Paco Lopez, a Monmouth Park mainstay, knows He’spuregold better than anyone and will be gunning for history.
Chantal Sutherland and Jorge Delgado have formed a strong partnership and bring momentum with Leo Monte.
He’spuregold is the class of the field and should get a perfect stalking trip under Paco Lopez. There Are No Words will be his biggest threat late, while Leo Monte could surprise if he gets a clean trip.
Top 3 Picks:
He’spuregold
There Are No Words
Leo Monte
Longshot to Watch: Gold Trust – sharp recent form and improving
