Cliff Hanger Stakes
The Cliff Hanger Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey in May. Open to horses age three and older, it is now contested on turf over a distance of miles. As of 2023, the purse is $102,000. Known as the Cliff Hanger Handicap until 2008, it was raced on dirt from 1978 through 1981 and again in 1985 and 1987. Prior to 1982, it was restricted to horses bred in the State of New Jersey. Records Speed record: 8.5 Furlongs – 1:39 2/5 – Wanderkin (1988), Dixie Bayou (1997) 9 Furlongs – 1:46.16 – Winning Cause (2014) Most wins: 2 – Erin's Tiger (1982, 1983) 2 – Late Act (1984, 1985)’ Most wins by an owner: 2 – Greentree Stable (1984, 1985) 2 – Live Oak Racing (1994, 2006) Most wins by a jockey: 3 – Jorge Velásquez (1980, 1982, 1983) Most wins by a trainer: 2 – Joseph H. Pierce Jr. (1980, 1987) 2 – Richard Nieminski (1982, 1983) 2 – Jonathan Sheppard (1987, 1989) 2 – Christophe Clement (2013, 2015) Winners since 1999 Earlier winners 1998 – Mi Narrow 1997 – Dixie Bayou 1996 – Thorny Crown 1995 –