2025 Tale of the Cat Stakes – Race Preview & Analysis
Date: June 28, 2025
Track: Monmouth Park
Race: Race 8
Distance: 1 1/16 Miles (Turf)
Purse: $100,000
Eligibility: 3-Year-Olds
Post Time: 4:30 PM ET
Contenders Breakdown
1. Tom’s Magic
Pedigree: Justify – Dixie Chicken
Trainer: Michael Stidham
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Form: 21x19x
Analysis: Lightly raced colt with early speed. Justify adds class and stamina. Needs to rebound from a ninth-place finish in the G3 Transylvania but could improve with a ground-saving trip.
2. Golden Channel
Pedigree: English Channel – Golden Review
Trainer: George Weaver
Jockey: Fernando Jara
Form: 54213
Analysis: Improving colt with a strong turf pedigree. English Channel is a turf titan. Finished third in the Pennine Ridge and could be peaking at the right time.
3. Flash Frozen
Pedigree: Frosted – Gladita F.
Trainer: Kathleen O’Connell
Form: 111135x
Analysis: 4 wins from 6 starts but untested in stakes company. Frosted adds versatility. Faces a class test but could surprise if he handles the rise in competition.
4. Uncatalyzed (GB)
Pedigree: Kingman (GB) – Queen’s Code (IRE)
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Jockey: Samuel Marin
Form: 2-1
Analysis: Klaravich runner with elite turf bloodlines. Kingman is a top European sire. Won impressively at Aqueduct and steps up in class. Major win contender.
5. Soleil Volant
Pedigree: Karakontie (JPN) – Valentine Wish
Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Form: 615266×32
Analysis: Consistent gelding with a strong late kick. Runner-up in the James W. Murphy Stakes. Karakontie adds turf brilliance. Must use in exotics.
6. Cool Intentions
Pedigree: Authentic – Intentional Cry
Trainer: Jorge Delgado
Form: 2115×822
Analysis: Runner-up in the Jersey Derby. Authentic is proving versatile at stud. Tactical speed and improving form make him a live longshot.
7. Quizler
Pedigree: Curlin’s Honor – Imperial Code
Trainer: Kelly J. Breen
Jockey: Samy Camacho
Form: 274232113
Analysis: Claimed for $35K and has since gone 2-for-3 on turf. Third in the Jersey Derby. Curlin’s Honor adds stamina. Local connections and sharp form make him a contender.
8. Mythical Man
Pedigree: Mucho Macho Man – Park Lane
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Isaac Castillo
Form: 61x1x
Analysis: Lightly raced and undefeated on turf. Mucho Macho Man adds stamina. Dangerous if he gets a clean trip.
9. Versus
Pedigree: Tiz the Law – Evita’s Sister
Trainer: Kelly J. Breen
Jockey: Luis R. Rivera Jr.
Form: 41217x
Analysis: Off since April’s G3 Transylvania. Has two wins on turf and a sharp recent workout. Tiz the Law adds class. Could fire fresh.
10. Outrunner
Pedigree: American Pharoah – Gale Force
Trainer: Jorge Duarte Jr.
Jockey: Sonny Leon
Form: 1×5
Analysis: Won debut but disappointed in allowance return. American Pharoah adds turf versatility. Needs to show more to contend here.
11. National Law (Main Track Only)
Pedigree: Constitution – Susie’s Baby
Trainer: Jorge Duarte Jr.
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Form: 45x1x14
Analysis: Eligible only if race comes off turf. Dirt form is solid, but turf pedigree is limited.
Top Picks:
Win Contender: Uncatalyzed – elite pedigree, Brown-trained
Main Rival: Soleil Volant – consistent stakes form, Motion-trained
Value Play: Quizler – sharp local form, Breen barn
Exacta Box: Uncatalyzed, Soleil Volant, Quizler
Trifecta Add-On: Mythical Man – undefeated turf record
