Race: Jersey Girl Handicap
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Track: Monmouth Park, Oceanport, NJ
Distance: 1 mile (Turf)
Surface: Turf
Purse: $85,000
Eligibility: Jersey-bred fillies & mares, 3 years old and up
Post Time: 3:24 PM ET
Race Number: 6
Field Overview & Entries
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree (Sire – Dam, by Dam Sire) | Notable Form |
| 1 | I Can Explain | Jorge Gonzalez | Douglas Nunn | Sea Wizard – Spa Sunrise (Pure Prize) | 6th in MSW at Monmouth |
| 2 | Molly’s a Bullet | Isaac Castillo | Anthony Margotta Jr. | Army Mule – Milaya (Eskendereya) | 3rd in 5f allowance |
| 3 | Mia’s Crusade | Paco Lopez | Chuck Spina | Greenpointcrusader – Mini Moneigh (Smart Strike) | Won Smart N Classy by 4½ lengths |
| 4 | Summer Flower | Eliseo Ruiz | Michael Dini | Summer Front – Phaleonopsis (Empire Maker) | 2nd in 5f turf sprint |
| 5 | Summer’s Comin | Sonny Leon | Michael Dini | Summer Front – Emirates Girl (Unbridled’s Song) | 5th behind Mia’s Crusade |
| 6 | Bel Pensiero | Ramon Moya | Anthony Margotta Jr. | Army Mule – Milaya (Eskendereya) | 4th in 5f stakes |
| 7 | Precious Avary | Silvestre Gonzalez | Timothy Shaw | Divining Rod – Alytania (Tale of the Cat) | 6th in Laurel turf mile |
| 8 | Riding Pretty | Samuel Marin | Eddie Owens Jr. | Jack Milton – High Renaissance (Macho Uno) | 2nd to Mia’s Crusade |
Race Analysis & Contender Breakdown
Mia’s Crusade
Trainer: Chuck Spina
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Form: 9 wins from 23 starts; defending Jersey Girl champion
Pedigree: Greenpointcrusader × Mini Moneigh
Outlook: Versatile and consistent Jersey-bred mare. Won this race last year and enters off a dominant 4½-length win in the Smart N Classy. The one to beat.
Riding Pretty
Trainer: Eddie Owens Jr.
Jockey: Samuel Marin
Form: 2nd to Mia’s Crusade in last two starts
Pedigree: Jack Milton × High Renaissance
Outlook: Consistent turf performer with tactical speed. Needs to turn the tables on Mia but always gives an honest effort.
Precious Avary
Trainer: Timothy Shaw
Jockey: Silvestre Gonzalez
Form: Stakes-placed turf specialist
Pedigree: Divining Rod × Alytania
Outlook: Dangerous if the pace collapses. Best efforts have come on firm turf at a mile.
Summer Flower
Trainer: Michael Dini
Jockey: Eliseo Ruiz
Form: 2nd in turf sprint; stretching out
Pedigree: Summer Front × Empire Maker mare
Outlook: Lightly raced and improving. Could surprise if she handles the added distance.
Pedigree Spotlight
Mia’s Crusade (Greenpointcrusader): By a son of Bernardini; versatile on dirt and turf.
Riding Pretty (Jack Milton): Jack Milton was a G1 turf miler; dam adds stamina.
Precious Avary (Divining Rod): From a strong Maryland turf line; bred for this trip.
Summer Flower (Summer Front): Summer Front is a proven turf sire; Empire Maker dam line adds class.
Top Pick: Mia’s Crusade – Defending champ, in top form, and versatile across all surfaces.
Value Play: Precious Avary – Turf specialist with a strong closing kick.
Exacta Box: Mia’s Crusade / Riding Pretty / Precious Avary
Longshot to Watch: Summer Flower – Improving filly with upside on the stretch-out.
