Beldame Stakes
Appearance
Grade II race | |
Location | Mares Three-years-old and up |
---|---|
Weight | Weight-For-Age |
Purse | $400,000 |
The Beldame Stakes is an American
mares three-years-old and up. Inaugurated in 1939, it was run as a handicap prior to 1960. The race is held annually near the beginning of October at Belmont Park
and currently offers a purse of $400,000.
A Grade I event for most of its history, in 2019 it was downgraded to Grade II.[1]
On August 22, 2009, NYRA announced that the purse for the 2009 Beldame Stakes was increased to $1 million to attract a showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta though ultimately neither horse entered the race.
The race is named for the
Horse of the Year
honors.
The first New York bred to win an Eclipse Award, Saratoga Dew, won this race in 1992.
Run at 1+1⁄8 miles since 1990, the Beldame has been set at various distances:
- 1+1⁄16 miles : 1939, 1990
- 1 mile & 1 furlong : 1940–1976
- 1+1⁄8 miles : 1990–present
- 1+1⁄4 miles : 1977–1989
Records
Speed record: (At current distance of 1+1⁄8 miles)
- 1:45.80- Go for Wand(1990)
Most wins:
- 2 – Fairy Chant (1940, 1941)
- 2 – Next Move (1950, 1952)
- 2 – Gamely(1968, 1969)
- 2 – Susan's Girl (1972, 1975)
- 2 – Desert Vixen (1973, 1974)
- 2 – Love Sign (1980, 1981)
- 2 – Lady's Secret (1985, 1986)
- 2 – Personal Ensign (1987, 1988)
- 2 – Sightseek (2003, 2004)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 6 – Todd A. Pletcher(2007, 2006, 2005, 2010, 2013, 2022)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 – Jorge Velásquez (1973, 1976, 1978, 1984, 1985)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Foxcatcher Farm(1940, 1941, 1954, 1960)
- 4 – Ogden Phipps (1983, 1987, 1988, 1994)
- 4 – Godolphin Racing(2002, 2008, 2009, 2015)
Winners
References
- ^ "Graded and Listed Races for 2019 Released". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 1 December 2018.