Monmouth Park’s top event for turf runners, the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes, has attracted 18 nominations including some local favorites as well as international flair.

The U.N., to be renewed for the 59th time this year, is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, with the victor getting an automatic berth to the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.

Among the nominees for the July 7 U.N. are four from the Todd Pletcher barn, a trio trained by Shug McGaughey as well as Monmouth-based Freud’s Honour, Get Serious and Eldaafer, winner of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Marathon.

The full list of nominees for the mile and three-eighths turf test is:



Air Support Get Serious

Al Khali Hudson Steele

Barocci (JPN) Imagining

Boisterous Midnite Silver

Bourbon Bay Quaintly

Brilliant Speed Queen’splatekitten

Center Divider Slim Shadey (GB)

Eldaafer Slow Pace

Freud’s Honour Turbo Compressor