# Philip H. Iselin Stakes

The Philip H. Iselin Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. Open to horses three years of age and older, the race was first run in 1884. In 1891, New Jersey state legislators began a move to ban parimutuel betting and the race had to be moved to the Jerome Park Racetrack and the Morris Park Racetrack in The Bronx, New York. With a legislated permanent ban, after the 1893 running the Monmouth Park Racetrack was shut down and the property sold. In 1946 Thoroughbred racing returned to a new Monmouth Park facility, spurred on by the burgeoning American economy after the end of World War II.
From inception until 1966 the race was known as the Monmouth Handicap; then from 1967 through 1980 it was run as the Amory L. Haskell Handicap. In 1981 it reverted to the Monmouth Handicap name, then in 1986, it was given its present name to honor Philip H. Iselin, a founding shareholder and director of the Monmounth Park Racetrack who would serve as its president and chairman of the Board of directors.
Created in the 19th century, when most Thoroughbred horse races were run at much longer distances than they are today, the early Monmouth Handicaps were raced over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles.
The Philip Iselin Stakes is the second leg of the Mid Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Long Dirt Division or MATCh Races. MATCh is a series of five races in five separate thoroughbred divisions run throughout four Mid-Atlantic States including; Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park Racecourse in Maryland; Delaware Park Racetrack in Delaware; Parx, Philadelphia Park and Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania and Monmouth Park in New Jersey.

## Records

Time record (since 1979):
* 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:46.80 by Spend a Buck (1985), Jolie's Halo (1992)
* 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:40.20 Formal Gold (1997)
Most wins:
* 2 – West Coast Scout (1972, 1973)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 – Eddie Arcaro (1956, 1957, 1958, 1960)
* 4 – Bill Shoemaker (1959,1979, 1980, 1986)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 3 – James E. Fitzsimmons (1954, 1956, 1958)
* 3 – David Jacobson (2014, 2016, 2018)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 – David Jacobson (2016, 2018)
* 2 – Oxford Stable (1972, 1973)
* 2 – James Ben Ali Haggin (1886, 1888)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Purse | Gr. |
| 2022 | Informative | 5 | Dexter Haddock | Uriah St. Lewis | Trin-Brook Stables, Inc. | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.22 | $250,000 | G3 |
| 2021 | Code of Honor | 5 | Paco Lopez | Claude R. McGaughey | William Farish | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.38 | $252,000 | G3 |
| 2020 | Warrior's Charge | 4 | Paco Lopez | Brad H. Cox | Ten Strike Racing & Madaket Stables | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.37 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2019 | Monongahela | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Jason Servis | Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, Gary Aisquith | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.45 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2018 | Harlan Punch | 5 | Joe Bravo | David Jacobson | David Jacobson | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.53 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2017 | Just Call Kenny | 6 | Eddie Castro | Patrick B. McBurney | Dominic Bossone, Peter D. Donnelly, James Cahill, ABL Stable, & Phantom House Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.73 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2016 | Baccelo | 6 | Nik Juarez | David Jacobson | David Jacobson | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.55 | $100,000 | G3 |
| 2015 | Valid | 5 | Nik Juarez | Marcus J. Vitali | Crossed Sabres Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.14 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2014 | Balance of Power | 4 | Chuck Lopez | David Jacobson | Drawing Away Stable & David Jacobson | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.78 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2013 | Last Gunfighter | 4 | Joe Bravo | Chad C. Brown | John D. Gunther | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.03 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2012 | San Pablo | 4 | Christopher DeCarlo | Todd Pletcher | Burning Sands Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.59 | $150,000 | G3 |
| 2011 | Where's Sterling | 4 | Paco Lopez | Nick Canani | Frank Calabrese | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.57 | $252,500 | G3 |
| 2010 | Duke of Mischief | 4 | Eibar Coa | David Fawkes | Alex & Joann Lieblong, Fawkes Racing, Marilyn McMaster | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.15 | $300,000 | G3 |
| 2009 | Chirac | 4 | Elvis Trujillo | Jane Cibelli | Pia M. Kirkham | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.11 | $300,000 | G3 |
| 2008 | Honest Man | 4 | Terry J. Thompson | J. Larry Jones | WinStar Farm & Foxhill Farms | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.12 | $300,000 | G3 |
| 2007 | Gottcha Gold | 4 | Chuck Lopez | Edward Plesa Jr. | Centaur Farms Inc. | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.36 | $300,000 | G3 |
| 2006 | Park Avenue Ball | 4 | Christopher DeCarlo | James T. Ryerson | Char-Mari Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.73 | $250,000 | G3 |
| 2005 | West Virginia | 4 | José A. Vélez Jr. | Todd Pletcher | Don & Roberta Zuckerman | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.83 | $250,000 | G3 |
| 2004 | Ghostzapper | 4 | Javier Castellano | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stables | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.66 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2003 | Tenpins | 5 | Robby Albarado | Donald Winfree | Joseph V. Vitelli | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $200,000 | G3 |
| 2002 | Cat's At Home | 5 | José A. Vélez Jr. | Mark A. Hennig | Edward P. Evans | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.00 | $350,000 | G2 |
| 2001 | Broken Vow | 4 | Ramon Domínguez | H. Graham Motion | Pin Oak Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $350,000 | G2 |
| 2000 | Rize | 4 | José C. Ferrer | Norman R. Pointer | Runnin Horse Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.40 | $350,000 | G2 |
| 1999 | Frisk Me Now | 5 | Edwin L. King Jr. | Robert J. Durso | Carol R. Dender | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $350,000 | G2 |
| 1998 | Skip Away | 5 | Jerry Bailey | Sonny Hine | Carolyn H. Hine | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.20 | $500,000 | G2 |
| 1997 | Formal Gold | 4 | Kent Desormeaux | William W. Perry | John D. Murphy | 1-1/16 m | 1:40.20 | $250,000 | G2 |
| 1996 | Smart Strike | 4 | Craig Perret | Mark Frostad | Sam-Son Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:41.40 | $300,000 | G1 |
| 1995 | Schossberg | 5 | Dave Penna | Phil England | Steve Stavro | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $300,000 | G1 |
| 1994 | Taking Risks | 4 | Mark T. Johnston | King T. Leatherbury | Lakeville Stables | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1993 | Valley Crossing | 5 | Chris Antley | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $500,000 | G1 |
| 1992 | Jolie's Halo | 5 | Edgar Prado | Robert W. Camac | Arthur I. Appleton | 1-1/8 m | 1:46.80 | $500,000 | G1 |
| 1991 | Black Tie Affair | 5 | Pat Day | Ernie T. Poulos | Jeff Sullivan | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.80 | $500,000 | G1 |
| 1990 | Beau Genius | 5 | Ricardo Lopez | Gerald S. Bennett | Brian Davidson | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1989 | Proper Reality | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Robert E. Holthus | Juanita Winn | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.00 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1988 | Alysheba | 4 | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg | Dorothy & Pamela Scharbauer | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.80 | $500,000 | G1 |
| 1987 | Bordeaux Bob | 4 | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Mark Barge | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1986 | Roo Art | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | D. Wayne Lukas | Barbara Holleran | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.80 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1985 | Spend a Buck | 3 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Cam Gambolati | Hunter Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:46.80 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1984 | Believe The Queen | 4 | Donnie Miller Jr. | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1983 | Bates Motel | 4 | Terry Lipham | John Gosden | Jacqueline Getty | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.20 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1982 | Mehmet | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert J. Frankel | A.J. Chlad, Sam Mevorach, Elizabeth Vallone | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1981 | Amber Pass | 4 | Cash Asmussen | Sonny Hine | Entremont Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.40 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1980 | Spectacular Bid | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Grover G. Delp | Hawksworth Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.00 | $250,000 | G1 |
| 1979 | Text | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Vincent Clyne | Elmendorf Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:47.40 | $100,000 | G1 |
| 1978 | Life's Hope | 5 | Craig Perret | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.20 | $100,000 | G1 |
| 1977 | Majestic Light | 4 | Sandy Hawley | John W. Russell | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.40 | $100,000 | G1 |
| 1976 | Hatchet Man | 5 | Vincent Bracciale Jr. | John M. Gaver Jr. | Greentree Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $100,000 | G1 |
| 1975 | Royal Glint | 5 | Craig Perret | Gordon R. Potter | Dan Lasater | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.60 | $109,150 |
| 1974 | True Knight | 5 | Miguel A. Rivera | Lou Rondinello | Darby Dan Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.00 | $111,100 |
| 1973 | West Coast Scout | 5 | Larry Adams | Mervin Marks | Oxford Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $114,300 |
| 1972 | West Coast Scout | 4 | John L. Rotz | Mervin Marks | Oxford Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | $113,500 |
| 1971 | Jontilla | 4 | John Giovanni | Alfred Cleff | William R. Kelly | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.00 | $115,600 |
| 1970 | Gladwin | 4 | Heliodoro Gustines | Evan S. Jackson | Hastings Harcourt | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.60 | $116,400 |
| 1969 | Verbatim | 4 | Pete Anderson | James P. Conway | Elmendorf Farm (Maxwell Gluck) | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | $113,800 |
| 1968 | Bold Hour | 4 | William Boland | Sylvester Veitch | George D. Widener Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.00 | $111,000 |
| 1967 | Handsome Boy | 4 | Jacinto Vásquez | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.00 | $112,400 |
| 1966 | Bold Bidder | 4 | Pete D. Anderson | Woody Stephens | John R. Gaines | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.60 | $114,450 |
| 1965 | Repeating | 4 | Hedley Woodhouse | Lucien Laurin | Mrs. Lucien Laurin | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.20 | $108,300 |
| 1964 | Mongo | 5 | Wayne Chambers | Frank A. Bonsal | Montpelier | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | $107,500 |
| 1963 | Decidedly | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | Horatio Luro | El Peco Ranch | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.00 | $111,300 |
| 1962 | Carry Back | 4 | John L. Rotz | Jack A. Price | Katherine Price | 1-1/4 m | 2:00.40 | $109,150 |
| 1961 | Don Poggio | 5 | Sam Boulmetis Sr. | Pancho Martin | Gustave Ring | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.40 | $122,300 |
| 1960 | First Landing | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | Casey Hayes | Meadow Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | $112,000 |
| 1959 | Sword Dancer | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | J. Elliott Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:05.00 | $113,750 |
| 1958 | Bold Ruler | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | James E. Fitzsimmons | Wheatley Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.60 | $110,650 |
| 1957 | Dedicate | 5 | Eddie Arcaro | G. Carey Winfrey | Jan Burke | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | $113,500 |
| 1956 | Nashua | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | James E. Fitzsimmons | Leslie Combs II | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.80 | $114,400 |
| 1955 | Helioscope | 4 | Sam Boulmetis Sr. | Howard Hausner | William G. Helis Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | $83,550 |
| 1954 | Bassanio | 4 | Sidney Cole | James E. Fitzsimmons | Ogden Phipps | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.20 | $58,800 |
| 1953 | My Celeste | 7 | Logan Batcheller | William S. Cotton | Constance Morabito | 1-1/4 m | 2:05.20 | $34,350 |
| 1952 | One Hitter | 6 | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.20 | $28,050 |
| 1951 | Arise | 5 | Sam Boulmetis Sr. | James C. Bentley | Addison Stable (Harry Addison Sr.) | 1-1/4 m | 2:04.80 | $28,500 |
| 1950 | Greek Ship | 3 | Joe Culmone | Preston M. Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1-1/4 m | 2:02.40 | $30,500 |
| 1949 | Three Rings | 4 | Hedley Woodhouse | Willie Knapp | Evelyn L. Hopkins | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.60 | $29,500 |
| 1948 | Tide Rips | 4 | Porter Roberts | William L. Passmore | Bayard Sharp | 1-1/4 m | 2:03.20 | $29,150 |
| 1947 | Round View | 4 | Louis F. Hildebrandt | Hollie Hughes | Sanford Stud Farms | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.20 | $29,000 |
| 1946 | Lucky Draw | 5 | Conn McCreary | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 1-1/4 m | 2:01.80 | $22,970 |
| 1894 | - 1945 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 1893 | Gloaming | 6 | Alonzo Clayton | Harry M. Mason | John G. Follansbee | 1-1/2 m | 2:33.00 | $3,955 |
| 1892 | Reckon | 4 | William Penn | R. Wyndham Walden | John A. & Alfred H. Morris | 1-1/2 m | 2:33.50 | $3,770 |
| 1891 | Banquet | 4 | John Lamley | Hardy Campbell Jr. | Michael F. Dwyer | 1-1/2 m | 2:40.00 | $5,055 |
| 1890 | Tea Tray | 5 | James J. Moore | William Lakeland | William Lakeland | 1-1/2 m | 2:34.00 | $5,335 |
| 1889 | Eurus | 6 | William Hayward | John Huggins | Alexander Cassatt | 1-1/2 m | 2:50.00 | $4,715 |
| 1888 | Firenze | 4 | Edward Garrison | Matthew Byrnes | James Ben Ali Haggin | 1-1/2 m | 2:36.00 | $5,385 |
| 1887 | Kaloolah | 4 | George Church | James Murphy | J. D. Morrissey | 1-1/2 m | 2:42.25 | $3,570 |
| 1886 | Hidalgo | 4 | John Spellman | Matthew Byrnes | James Ben Ali Haggin | 1-1/2 m | 2:39.50 | $3,570 |
| 1885 | Richmond | 3 | Jim McLaughlin | Frank McCabe | Dwyer Brothers Stable | 1-1/2 m | 2:38.50 | $4,025 |
| 1884 | Drake Carter | 4 | William Hayward Sr. | Green B. Morris | Green B. Morris & James D. Patton | 1-1/2 m | 2:37.75 | $3,460 |