Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey
Monmouth Park Racetrack Press Release
Trainer Chuck Spina’s idea of an early birthday present would be enough rain to force Saturday’s $75,000 Jersey Girl Handicap at Monmouth Park to come off the turf.
That, said Spina, who turns 78 on Sunday, would give his standout Jersey-bred mare Mia’s Crusade a better chance at breaking the record for most Jersey-bred stakes won.
Mia’s Crusade, a 7-year-old, is currently tied with Joey P. with six state-bred stakes wins.
The Jersey Girl is sandwiched in a three-day racing weekend, with Monmouth Park adding Fridays to its racing calendar.
“The forecast is calling for rain, so we’ll see. We know she can run on anything – dirt, turf, slop, long, short,” said Spina. “As (former legendary trainer) JJ Crupi used to say `she can run on broken Coca-Cola bottles when she is right.’ But I think an off-track may be her best shot right now.”
A field of 10, plus two main track only entries, is set for the Jersey Girl Handicap at a mile on the turf for fillies and mares, 3 and up.
Spina has also entered Jewel of the Ocean, who is coming off a solid second-place finish in the Spruce Fir Handicap on June 6. She was beaten a length that day by Summer’s Comin, with trainer Mike Dini opting to try the turf again with his 5-year-old mare after eight consecutive dirt starts.
Mia’s Crusade comes off an even fourth-place finish in the Spruce Fir in her seasonal debut following a nine-month layoff.
“She came out of the race great,” said Spina. “She usually runs well fresh. But she is 7 years old now and, like a lot of us, she may have lost a step. But I think she can improve off that race.”
With a 9-2-5 line from 26 career starts and earnings of $539,931, the Prancing Hill Farm runner is 2-for-3 on off tracks. She is 2-for-6 on the grass.
This will mark the fourth try by the daughter of Greenpointcrusader at solely owning the record for most Jersey-bred stakes won.
“Sure, it’s a little frustrating that she has not gotten it yet,” said Spina. “If she doesn’t get it she has had a great career. If it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen. She’s training good and she is 100 percent healthy so I am expecting her to run well.
“I was surprised she didn’t run better last race.”
Mia’s Crusade won the 2024 edition of the Jersey Girl Handicap but has not returned to the winner’s circle since taking the Smart N Classy Handicap on June 1, 2025.
Jewel of the Ocean, also owned by Prancing Hill Farm, would be making her second career grass start if the race stays on the turf. Her one previous attempt was a sixth-place finish at five furlongs in the Pinot Grigio on last year’s closing weekend of the Monmouth Park meet.
“She is very consistent but I don’t think she is at her best on the turf,” said Spina. “She didn’t hate it but I don’t think she loves it. It’s worth a shot giving her another try, this time going longer.”
Summer’s Comin, at least based on her recent form, looms the horse to beat. She is 3-for-12 on the grass in her career.
“Her recent form has been great,” said Spina. “She ran awesome last race to beat us. You have to be on the top of your game to beat her right now.”
Friday’s eight-race card has a first-race post time of 2 p.m. First race post time for Saturdays and Sundays is 12:50 p.m.