Race Details
- Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
- Time: 4:49 PM ET
- Venue: Monmouth Park, Oceanport, NJ
- Distance: 1 mile & 70 yards (Dirt)
- Purse: $100,000
- Eligible Horses: 3-year-olds
The Long Branch Stakes is a key early-season test for 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park, often serving as a prep for the Pegasus Stakes and ultimately the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes later in the summer. This year’s field features eight contenders, including several horses with stakes experience.
Contenders Overview
1. Cool Intentions (USA)
- Sire: Authentic
- Trainer: Jorge Delgado
- Jockey: Jeiron Barbosa
- Recent Form: 8th in the Grade 1 Florida Derby
Cool Intentions was briefly on the Triple Crown prep trail before struggling in the Florida Derby. He showed promise as a 2-year-old, winning twice and finishing second in three starts. If he rebounds from his last effort, he could be a serious contender.
2. Dear Chairman (USA)
- Sire: TBD
- Trainer: TBD
- Jockey: TBD
- Recent Form: TBD
Dear Chairman is expected to take a stalking position early in the race. His ability to stay close to the pace could be an advantage.
3. Lordship (USA)
- Sire: Gun Runner
- Trainer: Chad Brown
- Jockey: Sammy Camacho
- Recent Form: Winner in debut at Tampa Bay Downs
Lordship is cross-entered in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct, meaning his participation in the Long Branch Stakes is uncertain. If he runs, he could be a strong contender, given his pedigree and trainer’s success with young dirt horses.
4. Baby Dukes (USA)
- Sire: Maximus Mischief
- Trainer: Butch Reid
- Jockey: TBD
- Recent Form: 3rd in the Private Terms Stakes
Baby Dukes has been stakes-hardened, making his sixth straight start in stakes company. He has three wins and three thirds from eight career starts, showing consistency at this level.
5. Happily Delusional (USA)
- Sire: TBD
- Trainer: TBD
- Jockey: TBD
- Recent Form: TBD
Happily Delusional is another cross-entered horse in the Peter Pan Stakes, meaning his participation in the Long Branch Stakes is uncertain.
6. Harrigan (USA)
- Sire: TBD
- Trainer: TBD
- Jockey: TBD
- Recent Form: TBD
Harrigan enters the race with solid credentials, though his recent form remains unclear.
7. Kentucky Outlaw (USA)
- Sire: TBD
- Trainer: Felissa Dunn
- Jockey: Paco Lopez
- Recent Form: 5th in the Federico Tesio Stakes
Kentucky Outlaw is expected to set the early pace, particularly with the addition of blinkers. His ability to control the tempo could be a key factor.
8. Pascaline (USA)
- Sire: TBD
- Trainer: Arnaud Delacour
- Jockey: TBD
- Recent Form: 3rd in the Bay Shore Stakes
Pascaline has stakes experience, having won the Laurel Futurity as a 2-year-old. His ability to close late could make him a serious threat.
Race Prediction & Strategy
- Kentucky Outlaw should set the early pace, with Dear Chairman and Baby Dukes stalking behind.
- Lordship and Pascaline could close late, making them dangerous in the stretch.
- Cool Intentions needs a bounce-back performance after his Florida Derby struggles.
