The United Nations Stakes – GII
$500.00 For Three Year Olds And Upward
1 3/8 Miles – Turf
Monmouth Park – July 18, 2026

They didn’t roll out their best summer Jersey shore weather on Saturday for the G2 United Nations Stakes which caused the turf course at Monmouth Park to come up yielding. As such it was no surprise that the wet track challenged American Nightmare was a scratch on race day. That left a field of six vying for the winner’s share of the $500.00 purse and the all important graded stakes points as we inch ever closer to the fall and Breeder’s Cup. In the end it was the well travelled and accomplished veteran seven year old State Cavier who stood alone in the winner’s circle after posting his first win of the season.

Winner: State Cavier (Diablo Diablo/R. Bejarano) State Police/Blue Caviar (No Doubt About It) Broke on top and then settled behind the two Mb Stable entries with Theegala opening up early on the rest of the field. Was asked to begin to engage at the half mile pole and responded willingly collaring Scorched and going after the leader. Took the lead around the final turn and drew off to post a commanding two length win. 

Second: Theegala (Mb Stables/J.R. Velasquez) Strategic Command/Lil Rattla (Western Diamondback) Went to the front early and opened up some daylight on the pack and held that lead until he was headed by the eventual winner with a little more than a quarter mile left. Was briefly headed for second by stablemate in the stretch but showed good determination digging in to come back and be a clear runner up. 

Third: Shake It Up And Go (John Henry/S.X. Bridgmohan) Twin Towers/Hooker (Dial It In) Sat six lengths back of the leader on the soggy track  in the early stages of the race. Was asked for run going into the far turn and responded well to pass both Hackett and Scorched but had too much to do to threaten the top two finishers. 

Fourth: Scorched (Mb Stables/J. Lezcano) Smokin Luka/Burning Sunset (Cherokee Sunset) Went to the lead shortly after the break but was soon headed by stablemate Theegala who went off to lead by himself for the first mile. Tried to rally in the stretch and briefly gained second with a furlong to go but weakened late to fall to a final fourth place placing.

Preview Pick: State Caviar – Winner. 

This was the first United Nations Stakes win for the Diablo Diablo barn. It was the third time jockey R. Bejarano found himself in the winners circle of this race having won with Silver Bullet (Joseph Racing) in 2014 and Darkest Days (Mb Stables) in 2019. This was the first 2026 for the seven year old gelding State Cavier and his thirteenth win overall in a forty-one race career that has now seen him earn an impressive $2,323.59 overall. He finished 2025 twenty third last year in qualifying for the BC Turf but by virtue of strong performances and this win he currently sits a very cozy number two in qualifying for that race and is looking very strong.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES