What is the Molly Pitcher Stakes?
The Molly Pitcher Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt, the race is open to fillies and mares aged three and older and is one of the premier events for older female dirt horses during the Monmouth Park summer meet.
First contested in 1946, the Molly Pitcher Stakes is named after the legendary woman associated with the Battle of Monmouth during the American Revolutionary War. The race also holds a unique place in broadcasting history: its 1951 edition was part of the first live coast-to-coast color television broadcast of a sporting event in the United States.
The Molly Pitcher was run as a Grade II event for much of its modern history before being downgraded to Grade III in 2015. It returns to Grade II status in 2026, strengthening its position among the leading dirt races for fillies and mares in the United States.
When is the Molly Pitcher Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Molly Pitcher Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Monmouth Park. The Grade II race will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt for fillies and mares aged three and older with a purse of $500,000. It is part of Monmouth Park's major Haskell Stakes Day program.
Molly Pitcher Stakes History & Notable Winners
Randomized gave trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat a commanding victory in 2025, controlling the pace before drawing away to win by three lengths in 1:42.75 for Klaravich Stables.
Reigning champion older dirt female Idiomatic captured the 2024 edition for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux, completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.53 for Juddmonte. Shotgun Hottie earned her first graded stakes victory in 2023, surging to the lead in the stretch and stopping the clock in 1:43.43 for trainer Cherie DeVaux and jockey Paco Lopez.
Search Results produced a record-setting performance in 2022 for Chad Brown and Flavien Prat, winning by three lengths in 1:40.47. Her time remains the Molly Pitcher Stakes record. Graceful Princess won the 2021 running for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Joel Rosario in 1:41.67.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Randomized | Flavien Prat | 1:42.75 |
| 2024 | Idiomatic | Florent Geroux | 1:44.53 |
| 2023 | Shotgun Hottie | Paco Lopez | 1:43.43 |
| 2022 | Search Results | Flavien Prat | 1:40.47 |
| 2021 | Graceful Princess | Joel Rosario | 1:41.67 |
Other notable Molly Pitcher Stakes winners include champions Inside Information, Midnight Bisou, Hystericalady, and Ambassador of Luck. Politely and Hystericalady are the only two-time winners, while Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day holds the riding record with five victories.
The Molly Pitcher Stakes remains one of Monmouth Park's most historic races and an important summer test for leading fillies and mares competing in the older female dirt division.
