Scheduled Post Time: 3:40 PM EDT
Race Conditions:
• 1 1/8 Miles
• Turf
• Fillies & Mares 3‑Years‑Old & Up
• Grade III
• $250,000 Purse Special Note: The Matchmaker awards stallion seasons to the top finishers, making it one of the most unique graded stakes in the country.
This year’s Winstar Matchmaker Stakes brings together a deep, classy group of turf fillies and mares with graded‑stakes credentials, elite turf pedigrees, and top‑tier jockey/trainer combinations. Monmouth’s 1 1/8‑mile turf configuration rewards tactical positioning, acceleration into the far turn, and a strong final eighth, and this field is loaded with runners who fit that profile.
Venue: Monmouth Park — Oceanport, NJ
Surface: Firm turf expected
Course Type: Seven‑furlong turf course with sweeping turns
Configuration:
Long run into the first turn
Fair stretch that rewards sustained finishers
Turf Bias:
Slightly favors stalkers and mid‑pack runners
Inside posts often advantageous in large fields
Weather Forecast
Temperature: 81–83°F
Humidity: ~60%
Wind: 6–10 mph from the southeast
Conditions: Partly cloudy, firm turf
Impact:
Perfect turf racing weather
Strong late turn‑of‑foot fillies gain advantage
No moisture expected to soften the course
Field Analysis — Grade III Winstar Matchmaker Stakes (Race 7)
(Morning‑line odds are projections based on typical Monmouth graded‑stakes pricing.)
Post 1 — Shoreline Symphony
ML Odds: 4‑1 Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Flavien Prat
Recent Finishes:
2nd — Grade III Eatontown (Monmouth, 1 1/16m Turf)
3rd — Grade II Distaff Turf Mile (Churchill, 1m)
1st — Allowance (Aqueduct, 1m Turf)
Analysis:
A rail‑draw filly with tactical speed and strong Monmouth form. Symphony breaks well, sits second or third early, and Prat is elite at saving ground. Brown’s turf runners are always dangerous in graded company.
Strengths:
Rail draw ideal
Consistent graded‑stakes form
Strong finishing ability
Concerns:
Must avoid getting boxed in
Vulnerable if pace collapses late
Post 2 — Empire’s Embrace
ML Odds: 6‑1 Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Recent Finishes:
1st — Allowance (Belmont, 1 1/16m Turf)
4th — Grade II Sheepshead Bay (1 3/8m Turf)
2nd — Allowance (Aqueduct, 1m Turf)
Analysis:
A versatile mare with a strong turn of foot. Empire’s Embrace is improving rapidly and Ortiz excels with horses who make one sustained run. Pletcher’s turf runners ship well to Monmouth.
Strengths:
Excellent late kick
Elite jockey/trainer combo
Improving with each start
Concerns:
Needs pace to run at
Distance cutback may require sharper acceleration
Post 3 — Coastal Charm
ML Odds: 3‑1 (Favorite) Trainer: Michael Stidham Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Recent Finishes:
1st — Grade III Gallorette (Pimlico, 1 1/16m Turf)
2nd — Grade II New York Stakes (Belmont, 1 1/4m Turf)
1st — Allowance (Fair Grounds, 1 1/16m Turf)
Analysis:
The class of the field. Charm owns the best speed figures and has already beaten several rivals. Gaffalione fits her perfectly, allowing her to stalk and pounce. Her Gallorette win was visually impressive, drawing off by 2 lengths.
Strengths:
Best class and turf speed figures
Proven graded‑stakes winner
Ideal running style for Monmouth
Concerns:
Will be heavily bet
Must avoid traffic in mid‑pack
Post 4 — Garden State Grace
ML Odds: 10‑1 Trainer: Greg Sacco Jockey: Jevian Toledo
Recent Finishes:
3rd — Allowance (Monmouth, 1m Turf)
5th — Grade III Eatontown
1st — Maiden (Monmouth, 1m Turf)
Analysis:
A grinding type who prefers long, sustained runs rather than quick bursts. Grace is a one‑paced mare who needs a hot early tempo to set up her late kick. Toledo is patient and will try to save ground.
Strengths:
Strong stamina
Runs evenly every time
Could benefit from pace meltdown
Concerns:
Lacks acceleration
Needs perfect setup
Post 5 — Atlantic Queen
ML Odds: 7‑2 Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Edgard Zayas
Recent Finishes:
2nd — Grade III Mint Julep (Churchill, 1 1/16m Turf)
1st — Allowance (Gulfstream, 1m Turf)
3rd — Grade III Suwannee River (Gulfstream, 1m Turf)
Analysis:
A rapidly improving mare with tactical speed. Queen nearly wired a graded field last out but tired late. Zayas is aggressive and may send hard from the outside.
Strengths:
Strong early speed
Improving with experience
Outside post allows clean run
Concerns:
Distance may push her limits
Vulnerable to late pressure
Post 6 — Boardwalk Breeze
ML Odds: 12‑1 Trainer: Ian Wilkes Jockey: Chris Landeros
Recent Finishes:
3rd — Allowance (Churchill, 1m Turf)
4th — Allowance (Monmouth, 1m Turf)
5th — Maiden (Churchill)
Analysis:
A longshot with modest figures but improving form. Breeze has shown better tactical positioning recently. Landeros is a capable rider who will try to work out a mid‑pack trip.
Strengths:
Improving slowly
Can sit mid‑pack
Outsider with upset potential
Concerns:
Lacks graded‑stakes experience
Needs major jump in speed
Pace Projection
Early Speed: Atlantic Queen
Pressers: Shoreline Symphony, Coastal Charm
Closers: Empire’s Embrace, Garden State Grace, Boardwalk Breeze
Expect a moderate pace, with Queen trying to clear and Symphony pressing. Charm sits the perfect trip.
