United Nations Stakes

Turf race infobox
class = Grade I
horse race = United Nations Stakes


caption =
location = Monmouth Park Racetrack
Oceanport, New Jersey, USA
inaugurated = 1953
race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing
website = [http://www.monmouthpark.com/ Monmouth Park Racetrack]
distance = 1⅜ miles (11 furlongs)
track = Grass, left-handed
qualification = Three-year-olds & up
weight = Handicap
purse = $750,000
bonuses = The United Nations Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in July at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. The race is open to horses, age three and up, going one and three-eighths miles on the turf. A Grade I event, it currently offers a purse of $750,000. Until 2007, it was known as the United Nations Handicap.

Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the winner of the 2008 United Nations Stakes automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Turf. [http://www.breederscup.com/challenge.aspx]

Founded in 1953 at the Atlantic City Race Course in Mays Landing, New Jersey, the race was set at a distance of 1 3/16 miles. The first edition was won in track record time by the Chilean bred, Iceberg II, who was trained by future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Horatio Luro and ridden by Jorge Contreras.

From 1990 through 1997, it was known as the Caesars International. No race was held in 1998 and in 1999, it was shifted to Monmouth Park. In 2009, it will be in its 56th running.

Records

Time record:
* 1 3/8 miles - 2:12.78 : Balto Star (2003)
* 1 3/16 miles - 1:52.00 : Steinlen (1990)

"'Most wins by a jockey
* 4 - Jorge Velasquez and Jose Santos
* 3 - Pat Day and Bill Shoemaker

Winners since 1978

* With Anticipation finished first in 2001 but was disqualified following a Stewards' Inquiry. The horse came back to win the race in 2002 in track record time.

Earlier winners

*1953 - Iceberg II
*1954 - Closed Door
*1955 - Blue Choir
*1956 - Career Boy
*1957 - Round Table
*1958 - Clem
*1959 - Round Table
*1960 - T. V. Lark
*1961 - Oink

*1962 - Mongo
*1963 - Mongo
*1964 - Western Warrior
*1965 – Parka
*1966 - Assagai
*1967 - Flit-to
*1968 - Dr. Fager
*1969 - Hawaii

*1970 - Fort Marcy
*1971 - Run The Gantlet
*1972 - Acclimatization
*1973 - Tentam
*1974 - Halo
*1975 - Royal Gint
*1976 - Intrepid Hero
*1977 - Bemo