The 2026 Miss Liberty Stakes will be contested on May 24, 2026, at Monmouth Park over 1 1/16 miles on the turf for fillies and mares three years old and upward. The purse is listed at $100.000 with an additional $15.000 available for New Jersey-breds. Though the race has been run only sporadically in HRP history, it has still attracted several notable turf females including Etoile and All Eyes Ahead from Mb Stables. This year’s edition features a balanced field of experienced turf runners, allowance standouts, and graded-stakes competitors, with several mares entering in sharp current form.

The Field

1 – Grand Design

Owner/Trainer: Bigchief Stables
Probable Jockey: Bravo J
Odds: 10/1

Grand Design has quietly built a solid turf career, winning five of eleven starts on the grass while consistently showing tactical speed. Earlier this year she captured an optional claiming event at Tampa Bay Downs in front-running fashion before fading to fourth in tougher allowance company at Turf Paradise. Her form fits competitively here, though most of her best races have come against softer company. Bravo should have her involved early, and her consistency makes her difficult to dismiss entirely.

2 – Chocolate Hills

Owner/Trainer: Spb Racing
Probable Jockey: Lopez P
Odds: 3/1

Chocolate Hills enters as one of the sharper mares in the lineup after a dominant allowance victory at Keeneland in April where she controlled the race throughout and drew away late. Claimed earlier this year, she has improved steadily for Spb Racing and now owns five turf victories from eleven starts. Her tactical speed is a major weapon in a race lacking excessive early pressure, and Lopez should secure an ideal trip near the front. She appears poised for another strong performance.

3 – Book Of Spells

Owner/Trainer: Simmer Down Stable
Probable Jockey: Camacho Sa
Odds: 7/2

Book Of Spells brings the deepest body of work into the race with ten lifetime victories and consistent turf form over multiple seasons. She finished a respectable third in allowance company at Tampa Bay before placing in the Benson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. Earlier this spring she dominated back-to-back races at Laurel, showing a strong finishing kick at longer turf distances. Her versatility and experience make her one of the most reliable runners in the field.

4 – Krystala

Owner/Trainer: Alydar Stables
Probable Jockey: Marin S
Odds: 12/1

Krystala remains lightly raced but continues to improve with experience. She broke through at Turf Paradise in March after several near misses and returned with a credible fourth-place effort against allowance company at Lone Star. Most of her races have come in short turf events, so the stretch to 1 1/16 miles presents a new challenge. Her recent Monmouth workout was encouraging, and further improvement would not surprise.

5 – Pelayo

Owner/Trainer: Bears Stable
Probable Jockey: Castillo I
Odds: 5/2

Pelayo owns the strongest stakes credentials in the field and has already proven herself against graded company. Earlier this year she won the Sunshine State Mile Turf Stakes at Gulfstream and followed with a runner-up effort in the Fox Stakes before finishing fourth in the Grade III Monrovia. Her turf record is outstanding with nine victories from fifteen starts, and her tactical style allows her to adapt to nearly any pace scenario. Castillo should have her positioned within striking range throughout.

6 – Yesterdays Queen

Owner/Trainer: Wood Racing Stable
Probable Jockey: Ferrer J C
Odds: 6/1

Yesterdays Queen has quietly put together a productive turf career with consistent efforts at middle distances. She captured the Kra Memorial at Fair Grounds earlier this year and previously placed in several quality stakes events including the Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth. Her closing style makes her dependent on pace, but she consistently finishes well and rarely runs poorly on firm turf. If the tempo becomes contested, she could be the mare benefiting most in the final furlong.

Pace Structure

Chocolate Hills and Grand Design appear most likely to contest the early lead, with Pelayo sitting just behind the front pair waiting to pounce approaching the far turn. Book Of Spells projects to settle comfortably in midpack while Yesterdays Queen likely drops farther back before launching her rally late.

The projected pace does not appear overly fast, which may favor runners with tactical positioning rather than deep closers. Pelayo’s adaptability and proven graded-stakes form give her a notable edge if she secures a clean stalking trip.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Pelayo
2. Chocolate Hills
3. Book Of Spells
4. Yesterdays Queen
5. Grand Design

Projected Winner – Pelayo

Pelayo appears to bring the best overall combination of class, consistency, and tactical versatility into the Miss Liberty Stakes. Her recent graded-stakes efforts against stronger opposition stand out sharply in this field, and Bears Stable has her maintaining strong current form. If she reproduces either her Sunshine State Mile Turf Stakes victory or her runner-up finish in the Fox Stakes, Pelayo looks well positioned to capture another turf stakes victory at Monmouth Park.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded