The Get Serious Stakes will be run on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Monmouth Park, carded as Race #7 at five furlongs on the turf for three-year-olds and upward. The purse is $100.000, with up to $15.000 added for NJ-breds. This race has a short HRP history, with The Gray Dehere winning in 2020, Snakie You taking the 2024 edition, and Bayldonite winning for The Sidley Stud and Bravo J in 2025 when the race was also run at five furlongs on turf.

1. Fee Love — Winplace — Marquez Ch — Odds: 5-2

Fee Love enters as a sharp six-year-old turf sprinter for Winplace, with Marquez Ch named to ride. He has been excellent over turf, showing an 11-6-7 record from 35 turf starts and lifetime earnings of $385.110. His 2026 form is strong, with a win and a second from two starts, including a last-out 5f turf win at PRX where he closed from fifth early to win by half a length. His recent turf sprint pattern is extremely consistent, and his works at MTH and CD suggest he remains in good order. He is a major win candidate.

2. The Mad King — John Henry — Rispoli U — Odds: 6-1

The Mad King is the field’s veteran warhorse, owned by John Henry and ridden by Rispoli U. He owns 29 wins from 62 lifetime starts and has done nearly all of his work on turf, with 29 wins from 59 turf races. The concern is distance: his recent form has been around one mile, not five furlongs, and his last start in the Shoemaker Mile G1 ended in an eighth-place finish. His class and winning record are obvious, but cutting back to a sharp five furlongs makes this a demanding spot.

3. Lost On The Moon — Santan Stables — Maldonado G — Odds: 4-1

Lost On The Moon gives Santan Stables a live turf sprint entrant with Maldonado G aboard. He has been right in the mix in 2026, including a second at 5½f on the KEE turf and a third at 5f on the GP turf. His tactical speed is useful at this distance, and his recent MTH turf works are strong. He has not won this year, but his current figures fit well enough to threaten if the pace becomes contested.

4. Earthshine — Black N Gold Stable — Marin S — Odds: 3-1

Earthshine comes in for Black N Gold Stable with Marin S up, and he brings a strong last-out win in the McKyTS at LRL going 5½f on firm turf. He rallied from seventh early, moved strongly by the stretch call, and won by a length. His turf record is solid at 6-10-1 from 30 starts, and his 2026 form includes a stakes win. The slight question is the cutback to five furlongs, but his last race makes him one of the clearest win threats.

5. Virtual Cowboy — Invicta Group Llc — Jara F — Odds: 7-1

Virtual Cowboy has early speed and exits a January 5f turf race at GP where he led early and finished second. He has not raced since that January start, and his recent works are all on dirt at FNO, which makes current turf sharpness a question. Still, his 5f turf form is relevant, and he has enough pace to affect the race shape. He is a dangerous outsider if ready off the layoff.

6. Teen Angel Party — Nakamura Stables — Leon S — Odds: 9-2

Teen Angel Party represents Nakamura Stables with Leon S listed to ride. He has been competitive in turf sprints this season, finishing third in the McKyTS at LRL and second by a nose in the SeStar at SA going 6½f on turf. He also finished close in the Turf Dash at TAM going five furlongs. His recent turf sprint works are very good, and his 5f–5½f profile gives him a legitimate chance to win if he times the move correctly.

Pace Structure & Race Outlook

Virtual Cowboy, Lost On The Moon, and Teen Angel Party all have enough early pace to be involved right away, while Fee Love and Earthshine appear more likely to track and finish. The Mad King is the wildcard because he has been racing at longer turf distances, so the five-furlong tempo may force him into unfamiliar rhythm.

The projected race shape should be honest, with enough speed signed on to give a closer or stalker a fair chance. Fee Love gets the edge because his recent five-furlong turf form is direct, sharp, and proven at today’s trip. Earthshine is the main danger off the LRL stakes win, while Teen Angel Party is a logical contender for Nakamura Stables.

Projected Winner

Top Selection: Fee Love
Main Danger: Earthshine
Best Value: Teen Angel Party
Live Longshot: Virtual Cowboy

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded