How to bet the Jersey Shore Stakes

A total of six sophomores will vie in Friday’s $100,000 Jersey Shore S. at Monmouth Park. The six-furlong heat on the main oval lacks depth in numbers, but I do feel that three of the contenders are of very good quality, and an exciting dash to the finish is fully expected. 

Jersey Shore Wagers

• $15 trifecta key 5 with 1,2 ($30)
• $5 trifecta 1,2 with 5 with 1,2 ($10)

I am having a difficult time separating the trio as each has some excellent qualities, but #5 Neoequos (8-5) got the best draw of the three, and I will give him the slight nod with Samuel Marin riding. The bay son of Neolithic was twice stakes placed as a juvenile and has moved forward this campaign, registering smart third-place results in both the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2) along the way. 

Neoequos tired in the lane at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby (G1) two back, and couldn’t capitalize on a swift break in the recent Woody Stephens S. (G1) at Saratoga most recently. He lands in a more realistic spot on Friday and has posted a trio of nice morning drills leading up to the tilt, as well. The Saffie Joseph pupil will press the pace to the top of the lane prior to taking an edge in early stretch. 

The lightly raced #2 Donut God (5-2) will make his three-year-old debut for Brian Lynch. Perfect from a pair of runs at two, including a score in the Inaugural S. at Tampa Bay Downs, the son of Into Mischief has trained in rapid fashion in advance of his return and will be the pacesetter in the heat. The $400,000 bay was heavily backed in each of his appearances in 2024 and has yet to be headed, and he will be tough if he has progressed coming into 2025. Samy Camacho retains the ride. 

The Brad Cox-trained #1 Gunmetal (3-2) seemed to be in a good spot approaching the turn for home in the Woody Stephens last time, but couldn’t keep in touch late in the especially deep field. The Gun Runner sophomore has come back with four morning drills in the interim, and he has displayed the ability to take down a field of this kind on a few occasions in advance of the race. I feel that it is a positive to see Florent Geroux coming in to guide the colt.