Pitcher Stakes

Grade Two from Monmouth Park over a mile and sixteenth. Purse $500.00

1. Vanessa – Machado / Royalty Stables

Form: One of the sharpest mares in the race. Her Phipps (G1) third was a genuine top‑class effort, and her 2026 line is excellent: 4 starts, all competitive, two wins, and figures consistently in the mid‑90s. She’s reliable and rarely throws a bad one.

Works: Outstanding recent work pattern—:57.4 at ELP is elite and shows she’s thriving. Multiple fast 5f drills across different tracks indicate she’s holding peak fitness.

Trainer/Jockey: Machado knows her well and has ridden her in every meaningful start this year. Barn is having a strong season.

Verdict: Comes in razor‑sharp after her career best win in the Apple Blossom, she is definitely in career best form and at five is at the top of her game. She will scratch if the rains come but has the best chance of turning over the favorite if it stays dry.

2. Starting Over – Velazquez / TwinTowersRacing

Form: The class mare. Three wins from four starts this year, all graded. Her Phipps run was excellent, and she’s been running 98–101 figs consistently for over a year. She’s an 8‑year‑old who hasn’t tailed off—rare and impressive.

Works: Light but purposeful. Older mares don’t need heavy drilling, and her Aqueduct works show she’s maintained fitness without being overtrained.

 Trainer/Jockey: Velazquez is riding at a high strike rate and fits her grinding style perfectly. TwinTowers places her well and keeps her fresh.

Verdict: She is a remarkable race mare and at eight years old is holding her form really well. She comes here with two grade one wins in a row which is even more remarkable when you consider she is largely a closer. She will need the race to set up for her but as the class of the race with the perfect draw must be the favorite to win.

3. Boardwalk Authority – Rodriguez / Winning Link

Form: Honest but winless this season. She runs well enough to hit the board but hasn’t shown the killer instinct against G1/G2 mares. Her figs are solid (92–100), but she’s been out-finished repeatedly.

Works: Good CD work in May (1:10.2), but nothing since that suggests a big jump forward.

 Trainer/Jockey: Rodriguez is having a strong year and tends to elevate horses with tactical speed.

Verdict: She has been beaten three lengths by Starting Over in her last two starts and whilst that is certainly a sign, she needs to find extra with this being HRP that could easily happen. Close to Vanessa in the Apple Blossom they will be close again.

4. Gutter Black – Bridgmohan / Mo Mentum Farm

Form: Consistent graded performer. Her Santa Margarita run was strong, and she’s been competitive in every route this year. She’s not flashy but she’s reliable.

Works: Very sharp CD drills—1:11 and 1:23 show she’s in peak condition. Monmouth 5f in :59.1 confirms she shipped well.

Trainer/Jockey: Bridgmohan fits her stalking style; Mo Mentum Farm has her in good rhythm.

Verdict: A solid mare who at five may be at the peak of her career. Her pace profile looks ideal for this race settling in a loose stalk and pouncing late she will have to be at the top of her powers but if she is she has a chance.

5. Spirit Storm – Santana / Nakamura

Form: Honest mare who always runs her race. She’s consistent but lacks the top‑end punch of Vanessa or Starting Over. Her best efforts come when she sits mid‑pack and grinds.

Works: Strong Monmouth conditioning—four straight 6f works around 1:10–1:10.4. She’s fit and ready.

Trainer/Jockey: Santana is steady and reliable; Nakamura’s horses are typically well‑prepared.

Verdict: Competitive but slightly below the top tier she will have to find something here to beat the top three

7. Delilahs Den – Ortiz / Simmer Down

Form: Sharp local win last out at Monmouth, which is a big plus. She’s improving and her 2026 form is better than her record suggests.

Works: Very fast Monmouth works—:58.1, :58.0, :58.1. She clearly loves the track and is peaking.

Trainer/Jockey: Ortiz is a major upgrade; Simmer Down Stable is having a strong season.

Verdict: Dangerous upset type; trending upward but this may be a step too far. Her win in the Ladys Secret carrying a penalty was very strong but it is hard to see her taking out the favorite.

8. El Sweetie – Aviles / Greyfriars

Form: Inconsistent but capable of surprising when she gets a clean trip. Her Santa Margarita run was better than it looks.

Works: Good CD 6f in 1:10.3; fitness is solid.

Trainer/Jockey: Aviles is riding well; barn is quiet but competent.

Verdict: She is fairly lightly raced and only four but has run in some good races and acquitted herself well. The draw is a bit of a killer blow to her chances, but she has a long future in front of her.

Summary

Well, this looks like a race for Starting Over to continue her remarkable career. For me the dangers may be Vanessa and Boardwalk Authority but both of them map a few lengths behind her on recent form so it looks like this could be another big win for the eight-year-old.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES