The Cliff Hanger Stakes is an American

Thoroughbred horse race Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in ...

run annually at

Monmouth Park Monmouth Park Racetrack is an American race track for thoroughbred horse racing in Oceanport, New Jersey, United States. It is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and is operated under a five-year lease as a partnership with ...

in East Rutherford, New Jersey during late September/early October. Open to horses age three and older, it is now contested on

turf Sod, also known as turf, is the upper layer of soil with the grass growing on it that is often harvested into rolls. In Australian and British English, sod is more commonly known as ''turf'', and the word "sod" is limited mainly to agricult ...

over a distance of miles. Currently the purse is $100,000. 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 Jorge Velásquez (born December 28, 1946 in Chepo, Panama) is a thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. Jorge Velasquez's career in thoroughbred racing began in his native Panama but as a teenager moved to the United States. In 1967 he won ...

(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 Christophe Clement (born November 1, 1965 in Paris, France) is a Thoroughbred horse trainer in the United States who won the 2014 Belmont Stakes with Tonalist. Racing background Clement initially acquired his training skills from his father ...

(2013, 2015)

Winners since 1999

Earlier winners

* 1998 – Mi Narrow * 1997 – Dixie Bayou * 1996 – Thorny Crown * 1995 – Mighty Forum * 1994 – Binary Light * 1993 – Excellent Tipper * 1992 – Roman Envoy * 1991 – Finder's Choice * 1990 – Chas' Whim * 1989 – Ten Keys * 1988 – Wanderkin * 1987 – Silver Comet * 1987 – Foligno * 1986 – Explosive Darling * 1985 – Late Act * 1984 – Late Act * 1984 –

Cozzene Cozzene (May 8, 1980 – October 7, 2008) was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse and outstanding sire. He was bred and raced by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee John A. Nerud and trained by his son, Jan. Cozzene began racing at age ...

* 1983 – Erin's Tiger * 1982 – Erin's Tiger * 1982 – Acaroid * 1981 – Bill Wheeler * 1980 – Quality T. V. * 1979 – Exclusively Mine * 1978 – Mr. Lincroft * 1977 – Dan Horn

References

History and winners details of the Cliff Hanger Handicap as at 2007 at a Meadowlands website
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Cliff Hanger Stakes at Pedigree Query
Open mile category horse races Horse races in New Jersey Turf races in the United States Recurring sporting events established in 1977 1977 establishments in New Jersey