The Cliff Hanger Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, in May. Open to horses age three and older, it is now contested on turf over a distance of miles. As of 2023, the purse is $102,000.
Known as the Cliff Hanger Handicap until 2008, it was raced on dirt from 1978 through 1981 and again in 1985 and 1987. Prior to 1982, it was restricted to horses bred in the State of New Jersey.
Records Speed record: 8.5 Furlongs – 1:39 2/5 – Wanderkin (1988), Dixie Bayou (1997) 9 Furlongs – 1:46.16 – Winning Cause (2014) Most wins: 2 – Erin's Tiger (1982, 1983) 2 – Late Act (1984, 1985)’
Most wins by an owner: 2 – Greentree Stable (1984, 1985) 2 – Live Oak Racing (1994, 2006)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 – Jorge Velásquez (1980, 1982, 1983)
Most wins by a trainer: 3 – Christophe Clement (2013, 2015, 2023) 2 – Joseph H. Pierce Jr. (1980, 1987) 2 – Richard Nieminski (1982, 1983) 2 – Jonathan Sheppard (1987, 1989) 2 – H. Graham Motion (2016, 2024)
Winners since 1999 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2025Otago5Axel ConcepcionKelsey DannerCrown's Way Racing LLC, NBS Stable, Delava, Edward and Diamant, Eli1:42.542024Dataman4Jorge RuizH. Graham MotionWertheimer and Frere1:41.422023Big Everest5Jorge A. Vargas Jr.Christophe ClementReeves Thoroughbred Racing, Steven Rocco and William Branch1:40.422022Kentucky Ghost5Jorge A. Vargas Jr.Victoria H. OliverBBN Racing1:40.44 2021 no race 2020 no race 2019Hawkish5Trevor McCarthyJames J. TonerAJ Suited Racing Stable, Madaket Stables LLC1:35.112018Force the Pass6Jevian ToledoAlan E. GoldbergColts Neck Stables1:35.11 2017 no race 2016Can'thelpbelieving (IRE)5Trevor McCarthyH. Graham MotionAlbert Frassetto1:46.772015Middleburg5Joe BravoChristophe ClementMr. & Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone1:48.522014Winning Cause4Eddie CastroTodd PletcherAlto Racing LLC1:46.162013Summer Front4Joe BravoChristophe ClementWaterford Stable1:41.492012Tune Me In5Paco LopezBruce F. AlexanderPatricia A. Generazio1:33.962011Yummy with Butter8Paco LopezYvon BelsoeurBruno Schickedanz1:32.75 2010 no race 2009Brave Tin Soldier5Carlos Marquez Jr.Kiaran McLaughlinKiaran McLaughlin1:45.522008Kiss the Kid5Rajiv MaraghAmy TarrantHardacre Farm/Amy Tarrant1:43.602007Presious Passion4Alan GarciaMary HartmannPatricia A. Generazio1:41.482006Old Forester5Edgar PradoWilliam I. MottLive Oak Racing1:42.542005Hotstufanthensome5Rajiv MaraghNorman PointerLeslie Steinger1:54.322004Dr. Kashnikow7Richard MiglioreJohn R. S. FisherErdenheim Farm1:42.41 2003 no race 2002Saint Verre4Jean-Luc SamynH. Allen JerkensH. Joseph Allen1:42.402001Crash Course5Rick WilsonWarren W. Croll Jr.Jesse Mack Robinson1:43.142000North East Bound4José Vélez Jr.William W. PerryJ. Demarco/R. Disano1:41.781999Virginia Carnival7Jean-Luc SamynJonathan SheppardJohn A. Franks1:42.44
Earlier winners
1998 – Mi Narrow 1997 – Dixie Bayou 1996 – Thorny Crown 1995 – Mighty Forum 1994 – Binary Light 1993 – Excellent Tipper 1992 – Roman Envoy 1991 – Finder's Choice 1990 – Chas' Whim 1989 – Ten Keys 1988 – Wanderkin 1987 – Silver Comet 1987 – Foligno 1986 – Explosive Darling 1985 – Late Act 1984 – Late Act 1984 – Cozzene 1983 – Erin's Tiger 1982 – Erin's Tiger 1982 – Acaroid 1981 – Bill Wheeler 1980 – Quality T. V. 1979 – Exclusively Mine 1978 – Mr. Lincroft 1977 – Dan Horn
References
History and winners details of the Cliff Hanger Handicap as at 2007 at a Meadowlands website Cliff Hanger Stakes at Pedigree Query