Cliff Hanger Stakes
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Meadowlands Racetrack East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1977 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | The Meadowlands |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $100,000 |
The Cliff Hanger Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Monmouth Park in East Rutherford, New Jersey during late September/early October. Open to horses age three and older, it is now contested on turf over a distance of 1+1⁄8 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 Velasquez (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 - 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
- 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