Monmouth Oaks
The Monmouth Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey for three-year-old fillies. Named for England's Epsom Oaks, first run in 1779, the inaugural American edition took place in 1871. Originally raced over a distance of 1½ miles from 1871 through 1877, there was no race in 1878 but on its return the following year was modified to 1-1/4 miles.
In 1891, the New Jersey Legislature began a move to ban parimutuel betting and the Oaks had to be moved to the Jerome Park Racetrack in The Bronx, New York. With a legislated permanent ban, after the 1893 running the Monmouth Park Racetrack was shut down and the property sold. years. In 1946, Thoroughbred racing returned to a new Monmouth Park racing facility. The revived Monmouth Oaks was set at 1 1/16 miles and in 1997 Blushing K. D. set the existing record for that distance at 1:41.80.
Over the years, the Oaks has been won by some of the best fillies in the United States including U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees, Dark Mirage (1968), Gallant Bloom (1969) and Desert Vixen (1973). It is currently a Grade III stakes race with a purse of $200,000 divided 60% to the winning owner, 20% to second, 11% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth. There was no race held in 2003.
Monmouth Park Graded Stakes Races
| Stakes Race | Grade | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| Violet Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Monmouth Stakes | III | $250,000 |
| Pegasus Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| Boiling Springs Stakes | III | $155,000 |
| Salvator Mile Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| United Nations Stakes | I | $765,000 |
| Jersey Shore Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Matchmaker Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| Oceanport Stakes | III | $200,000 |
| Haskell Invitational Handicap | I | $1,000,000 |
| Monmouth Oaks | III | $150,000 |
| Philip H. Iselin Stakes | III | $250,000 |
| Molly Pitcher Stakes | II | $250,000 |
| Sapling Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Cliff Hanger Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Eatontown Stakes | III | $150,000 |
| Monmouth Cup Stakes | II | $300,000 |
| Red Bank Stakes | III | $200,000 |
