The Morven Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run between 1978 and 2001 at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A race on turf for two-year-old horses or either sex, it was last run over a distance of five furlongs (5/8 mile).
Historical notes From inception in 1978 through 1998, the event was run on dirt. Its first two editions were run as the Morven Handicap. By 1984 the race had earned Grade 3 status which it maintained through 1987.
Future Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. won the 1979 and 1982 runnings of the Morven Stakes. Cordero was aboard Fappiano to win the December 20, 1979 when cold weather had frozen the racetrack surface. However, in spite of the difficult racing conditions, Fappiano broke the Meadowlands track record for six furlongs with a time of 1:08 3/5.
The only filly to win the Morven Stakes was Clever Power in 1987. Ridden by future Hall of Fame inductee, Kent Desormeaux, she won easily by four lengths for owner Sondra Bender.
Records Speed record: 0:57 4/5 @ 5 furlongs on turf: Numbers Man (2001) 1:08 3/5 @ 6 furlongs on dirt: Fappiano (1979)
Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Angel Cordero Jr. (1979, 1982) 2 - Shaun Bridgmohan (1998, 2000)
Most wins by a trainer: no trainer won this race more than once.
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Sondra D. Bender (1987, 1992)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time Win $ Gr.2001Numbers Man2José Vélez Jr.Edwin T. BroomeRichard Malouf5 f (t)0:57.80$50,000L/R2000Unchained Storm2Shaun BridgmohanMark E. CasseHarry T. Mangurian Jr.5 f (t)0:58.09$45,000B/T1999Brilliant Deniro2John R. VelazquezH. Graham MotionMinranshe Nanbri Stables, Inc.5 f (t)0:58.60$45,000B/T1998Shadow Caster2Shaun BridgmohanCharles AssimakopoulosGatsas Thoroughbreds LLC6 f (d)1:10.74$60,000B/T1997Unreal Madness2Chuck LopezEdward T. AllardGilbert G. Campbell6 f (d)1:10.32$35,000B/T1996Hoop Coyote Hoop2William S. KlinkeCathleen J. ReraJeannette Lupoli6 f (d)1:10.60$40,000B/T1995In Contention2Anthony BlackCynthia G. ReeseNoreen Carpenito6 f (d)1:10.32$35,000B/T1994Highest Yield2Edwin L. King Jr.Daniel PerlsweigGuy H. Burt6 f (d)1:09.88$60,000B/T1943 Race not held1992Secret Odds2Larry SaumellLawrence E. MurraySondra D. Bender6 f (d)1:10.80$60,000B/T1991Pas by Pas2Chris AntleyJames H. IselinRobert Kaufman6 f (d)1:09.77$60,000B/T1990Ole Grumby2Mike E. SmithGlenn L. HildSharon Hild6 f (d)1:10.80$35,000UGS1989Housebuster2Art Madrid Jr.Ronald L. BenshoffRobert P. Levy6 f (d)1:09.80$25,000UGS1943 Race not held1987Clever Power2Kent DesormeauxMarvin L. MoncriefSondra D. Bender6 f (d)1:10.00$50,000G31986Great Smoke2Rafael ArroyaveJohn E. Salzman Sr.Guy P. Snowden6 f (d)1:11.60$50,000G31985Georgia Bird Dog2José A. SantosNorman R. PointerThoroughbred Racing Stable6 f (d)1:11.40$50,000G31984Medieval Love2William J. PassmoreRobert L. WheelerNapton Hill Farm6 f (d)1:12.60$50,000G31983Fortunate Prospect2Buck ThornburgLeRoy JolleyPhilip Pender, et al.6 f (d)1:10.60$50,000L/R1982Game Dancer2Angel Cordero Jr.John P. CampoW. Gaston Caperton III6 f (d)1:12.00$40,000UGS1981Grey Bucket2Richard MiglioreStephen A. DiMauroAkuma Stable6 f (d)1:11.00$50,000UGS1980Triocala2Ruben HernandezFrank "Pancho" MartinViola Sommer6 f (d)1:11.40$50,000UGS1979Fappiano2Angel Cordero Jr.Jan H. NerudJohn A. Nerud6 f (d)1:08.60$50,000UGS1978Terrific Son2Vincent Bracciale Jr.Anthony J. DellosoJacques Zinman6 f (d)1:11.40$50,000UGS
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