The MTH Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Monmouth Park, carded as Race #8 at 1 1/8 miles on the turf for three-year-olds and upward. The race carries a purse of $125.000, with up to $18.750 available for NJ-breds. This race has a long turf history at Monmouth, with past winners including Buffalo G for Nakamura Stables in 2022, Wayward Prince in 2023, Violent Crime in 2024, and Great Changes in 2025. None of this year’s runners is a prior winner of this race, but The Sidley Stud sends out three entrants: Kayak, Dirtiest Sin, and Get My Punch On.

1. Simply Better — Alydar Stables / Castillo I — Odds: 7/2

Simply Better enters in excellent current form for Alydar Stables, having won three straight races in 2026. His latest came at Monmouth over yielding turf at 5 1/2 furlongs, where he pressed the pace and got up by a nose. Before that, he won at 1 3/8 miles on firm turf at Tampa and 1 1/8 miles on firm turf at Turf Paradise, so the distance is not a concern. The question is class, as his recent wins came in claiming and allowance company rather than stakes company. His lifetime turf record of 38 starts, 11 wins, 9 seconds, and 8 thirds gives him a real chance, especially if his current form transfers upward.

2. Zionist Moon — Night Rider Stables / Jara F — Odds: 6/1

Zionist Moon has been effective on turf and owns a 14-start turf record with 4 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. He won a one-mile allowance at Fair Grounds in March, but followed that with a seventh-place finish at Churchill in April. His best races suggest he can sit close enough to the pace, but he has not yet shown the same proven 1 1/8-mile strength as some others in this field. Night Rider Stables gets Jara F aboard, and while he has enough back class to be competitive, he needs a rebound from his most recent effort.

3. Kayak — The Sidley Stud / Marin S — Odds: 10/1

Kayak comes in for The Sidley Stud with Marin S riding and has spent his recent races at longer distances, including 1 1/2 miles and 1 1/4 miles on dirt, plus a 1 1/8-mile turf third at Turf Paradise. His only recent turf try at this distance produced a third-place finish, but his turf record is limited compared with others here. He has only 8 lifetime starts and may still have some upside, but his 2026 form has not produced a win. He looks more like a contender for a minor share unless he takes a step forward.

4. Dirtiest Sin — The Sidley Stud / Bravo J — Odds: 5/2

Dirtiest Sin appears well placed for The Sidley Stud with Bravo J taking the mount. He exits the Cliff Hanger at Monmouth over good turf, where he finished fourth after racing in midpack. Before that, he won a 1 1/16-mile turf allowance at Tampa and also won at 1 3/8 miles on firm turf in February. His turf record of 11 starts, 5 wins, and 1 second is strong, and his recent form shows he can handle multiple route distances. The 1 1/8-mile trip fits well enough, and his Monmouth prep gives him a useful local reference.

5. Get My Punch On — The Sidley Stud / Camacho Sa — Odds: 8/1

Get My Punch On is the lone three-year-old in the field and receives the weight break at 118 pounds. He comes off a third in the Green Carpet at 1 1/16 miles on firm turf and has been competitive in several turf routes, though he has only one lifetime win from 11 starts. His 2026 form includes a second and a third, but he has not yet beaten older horses at this level. The weight break helps, and The Sidley Stud has another chance here, but he still needs to prove he can finish off this kind of older turf field.

Pace Structure & Race Outlook

Simply Better has shown repeated speed or pace pressure in his recent turf races and could be prominent early. Zionist Moon has prior front-running form, including his October 2025 allowance where he led early, but his most recent Churchill race showed him farther back as the race developed. Dirtiest Sin is more likely to settle in a tracking position, while Kayak and Get My Punch On look more comfortable waiting before making their moves.

The pace may not be overly fast, which gives Simply Better a chance to control or press the tempo. However, Dirtiest Sin has the best combination of turf-route form, class suitability, and recent winning efforts around this distance range. If Bravo J keeps him within striking range, he looks capable of producing the strongest finish.

Projected Winner

Projected Winner: Dirtiest Sin

Dirtiest Sin gets the call based on his proven turf-route record, two wins in 2026, and recent Monmouth stakes prep. Simply Better is the main danger because of his current three-race winning streak, while Zionist Moon is usable underneath if he returns to his March form. Get My Punch On is the interesting longshot because of the weight break and improving three-year-old profile.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded