Monmouth Park Releases $7.3 Million Stakes Schedule
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Photo: Mark Wyville/EQUI-PHOTO
Maximum Security wins the 2019 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park
Led by the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), Monmouth Park is set to offer $7.3 million in stakes races when the track kicks off its diamond anniversary season May 2. This year's 75th race meet will feature 63 total stakes, 12 graded events, and 11 stakes restricted to New Jersey-breds.
Last year's Haskell Day program saw two champions in the winner's circle with Maximum Security winning the main event and Midnight Bisou cruising under the line in the Molly Pitcher. That card will again feature six stakes races in 2020, two with a $100,000 purse boost, as the Monmouth Cup (G3) and the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) rise to $300,000 and $250,000, respectively.
Other races getting a purse bump are the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3), now at $200,000, as well as the Miss Liberty Stakes, Jersey Derby and Jersey Shore Stakes, each to be contested for $100,000.
The 18th annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival, with three stakes events, will be renewed on Aug. 30, with the $100,000 Charles Hesse III Handicap headlining that card.
Monmouth Park's MATCH Day will be Sept. 12 with five stakes totaling $500,000 playing their part in the Mid-Atlantic Championships.
The 2020 graded stakes schedule is as follows:
| 23-May-20 | Monmouth Stakes | G3 | $150,000 | 3 and up | 1 1/8 miles (Turf) |
| 23-May-20 | Salvator Mile | G3 | $150,000 | 3 and up | 1 mile |
| 20-Jun-20 | United Nations Stakes | G1 | $300,000 | 3 and up | 1 3/8 miles (Turf) |
| 20-Jun-20 | Philip H. Iselin Stakes | G3 | $200,000 | 3 and up | 1 1/16 miles |
| 20-Jun-20 | Eatontown Stakes | G3 | $150,000 | F & M 3 and up | 1 1/16 miles (Turf) |
| 18-Jul-20 | TVG.com Haskell Invitational | G1 | $1,000,000 | 3 YO | 1 1/8 miles |
| 18-Jul-20 | Monmouth Cup | G3 | $300,000 | 3 and up | 1 1/8 miles |
| 18-Jul-20 | Molly Pitcher Stakes | G3 | $250,000 | F & M 3 and up | 1 1/16 miles |
| 18-Jul-20 | WinStar Matchmaker Stakes | G3 | $150,000 | F & M 3 and up | 1 1/8 miles (Turf) |
| 18-Jul-20 | Red Bank Stakes | G3 | $150,000 | 3 and up | 1 mile (Turf) |
| 15-Aug-20 | Monmouth Oaks | G3 | $150,000 | 3 YO Fillies | 1 1/16 miles |