One of the top races of the Monmouth Park summer meeting is the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (G1) on Saturday, which is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" program, earning the winner an automatic berth into this year's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), and it is the first Grade 1 event at the historic Oceanport oval. A field of 9 older horses went 1 3/8 miles over the turf. Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) winner Take the Points was sent off as the 5-2 favorite off a fourth place finish in the Manhattan Handicap (G1) on the Belmont Stakes undercard. In to challenge him included 3-1 second choice Winchester, winner of the Manhattan last out, and 7-2 third choice Chinchon, winner of the Prix Exbury (G3) in March but fourth in the Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2) last out. An official attendance of 13,783 (inflated by the umbrella giveaway) enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures near 90.
Get Serious and Acclamation dueled through early fractions of 23.37, 47.62, 1:12.71, and 1:36.41. Take the Points sat back in 6th early, 5 1/2 lengths off the pace under Edgar Prado. Entering the stretch, Acclamation tired badly and faded to finish last, as Get Serious continued to lead to the 1/8 pole through 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.15. However, Chinchon, who was last and wide through all 3 turns, came out 5 wide for the drive to pass the entire field late, drawing away from late-running Take the Points in the final 1/16 to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a time of 2:11.77 over the firm going. It was another 1/2 a length back to Winchester third.
Results chart
