What is the Monmouth Oaks?
The Monmouth Oaks is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, it is the most prestigious filly classic on the New Jersey racing circuit and one of the oldest stakes races in American history, having been inaugurated in 1871 at the original Long Branch Monmouth Park racetrack. Named in honor of the historic Epsom Oaks, the classic English filly race first run in 1779, the Monmouth Oaks has a distinguished roll of honor that includes Hall of Fame inductees Dark Mirage (1968), Gallant Bloom (1969), and Desert Vixen (1973). Spain won the 2000 Monmouth Oaks before going on to win the Breeders' Cup Distaff and retiring as the richest mare in North American racing history. Silverbulletday won in 1999 for trainer Bob Baffert. Todd Pletcher holds the modern record for most wins with six, including Scalable in 2024 and Shahama in 2022. The stakes record of 1:41.54 was set by Shahama in 2022 under Jorge Vargas Jr. for Pletcher and KHK Racing.
