What is the Eatontown Stakes?
The Eatontown Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf for fillies and mares aged three and older, it is the premier distaff turf test on the Jersey Shore racing circuit and a key early-summer benchmark for older fillies and mares targeting the summer championship circuit. Inaugurated in 1971 as the Eatontown Handicap, the race was named in honor of Eatontown, New Jersey, the Borough adjacent to Monmouth Park. Receiving Grade III status in 1996, the Eatontown has grown into one of the most competitive distaff turf races in the Northeast and a regular showcase for top horses from the Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher barns. Brown holds the record for most wins with five, including three consecutive victories from 2023 through 2025, while Paco Lopez leads all jockeys with three wins. The race is run as part of Haskell Preview Day alongside the Grade III Salvator Mile.
When is the Eatontown Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Eatontown Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 at Monmouth Park as part of Haskell Preview Day. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf with a purse of $150,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares in the Northeast targeting the summer turf championship circuit.
Eatontown Stakes History & Notable Winners
Chad Brown has dominated the Eatontown Stakes in the modern era, winning five times including three straight from 2023 to 2025. Whiskey Decision gave Brown and jockey Samy Camacho a 2025 win in 1:44.81 for Fred Hertrich and John Fielding. Tax Implications (GB) gave Brown and jockey Flavien Prat a 2024 score in 1:43.98 for Klaravich Stables. Consumer Spending delivered Brown's third straight title in 2023 under Camacho in 1:42.00, also for Klaravich Stables. Stolen Holiday gave trainer Claude McGaughey III and jockey Jose Lezcano a 2022 win in 1:42.30 for Annette Allen. Vigilantes Way gave McGaughey and jockey Paco Lopez a 2021 victory in 1:41.90 for the storied Phipps Stable.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Whiskey Decision | Samy Camacho | 1:44.81 |
| 2024 | Tax Implications (GB) | Flavien Prat | 1:43.98 |
| 2023 | Consumer Spending | Samy Camacho | 1:42.00 |
| 2022 | Stolen Holiday | Jose Lezcano | 1:42.30 |
| 2021 | Vigilantes Way | Paco Lopez | 1:41.90 |
The Eatontown Stakes is the premier distaff turf event on the Jersey Shore racing circuit and a highlight of Monmouth Park's Haskell Preview Day each June.
