Ballerina Stakes
The Ballerina Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
Grade I race | |
Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1979 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Sponsor | NYRA Bets (2020) |
Website | NYRA |
Race information | |
Distance | 7 furlongs |
Surface | Dirt |
Track | left-handed |
Qualification | fillies & mares, Three-years-old & up |
Weight | Handicap |
Purse | $300,000 (2020) |
Bonuses | Winner qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint |
History
The inaugural running of the Ballerina Stakes was 20 August 1979 and was won by the Ogden Phipps owned three year old filly Blitey who was ridden by the US Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. on a muddy track in a time of 1:231⁄5.[1] The race is named for Howell E. Jackson's filly, Ballerina,[2] who won the 1954 inaugural running of the Maskette Stakes, run today as the Grade I Go For Wand Handicap.
In 1981 the event was classified as Grade III, upgraded to Grade II in 1984 and to Grade I in 1988.[3] The sudden rise in stature of the event was due the quality of runners who won this event and continued to win important Grade I races. In particular the winner of the second running in 1980 was the 1979 US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Davona Dale, the 1983 winner Ambassador of Luck who went onto become the US Champion Older Dirt Female Horse and Lady's Secret, the 1985 winner as a three-year-old, who in the following year would win the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
The only dual winner of the event, Shine Again failed by a nose to win a third time as a six-year-old when she was beaten by the 13-1 outsider Harmony Lodge in 2003.[4]
The event continues to be a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series with the winner of the Ballerina Stakes automatically qualifying for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.[5]
Records
Speed record:
- 7 furlongs: 1:21.09 – Lady Talk (2004)
Margins:
- 9 1⁄4 lengths – Hilda's Passion (2011)
Most wins:
- 2 - Shine Again (2001, 2002)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - John Velazquez (2005, 2012, 2015, 2016)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 - C. R. McGaughey III (1984, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1999)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Ogden Phipps (1979, 1999)
- 2 - Eugene V. Klein (1985, 1986)
- 2 - Kinsman Stable (1993, 2000)
- 2 - Bohemia Stable (2001, 2002)
Winners
Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballerina Stakes | ||||||||||
2020 | Serengeti Empress | 4 | Luis Saez | Thomas M. Amoss | Joel Politi | 7 furlongs | 1:21.63 | $300,000 | I | [6] |
2019 | Come Dancing | 5 | Javier Castellano | Carlos F. Martin | Blue Devil Racing Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.48 | $480,000 | I | [7] |
2018 | Marley's Freedom | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Cicero Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.39 | $500,000 | I | [8] |
2017 | By the Moon | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | Michelle Nevin | Jay Em Ess Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.97 | $500,000 | I | [9] |
2016 | Haveyougoneaway | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Thomas Morley | Gary Barber & Sequel Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:21.63 | $500,000 | I | [10] |
2015 | Unbridled Forever | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | 7 furlongs | 1:22.54 | $500,000 | I | [11] |
2014 | Artemis Agrotera | 3 | Rajiv Maragh | Michael E. Hushion | Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman | 7 furlongs | 1:21.89 | $500,000 | I | [12] |
2013 | Dance to Bristol | 4 | Xavier Perez | Ollie L. Figgins III | Susan H. Wantz | 7 furlongs | 1:23.11 | $500,000 | I | [13] |
2012 | Turbulent Descent | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Michael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith | 7 furlongs | 1:22.13 | $500,000 | I | [14] |
2011 | Hilda's Passion | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.06 | $250,000 | I | [15] |
2010 | Rightly So | 4 | Cornelio Velasquez | Anthony W. Dutrow | Zayat Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:22.58 | $250,000 | I | [16] |
2009 | Music Note | 4 | Rajiv Maragh | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:22.10 | $294,000 | I | [17] |
2008 | Intangaroo | 4 | Alonso Quinonez | Gary Sherlock | Tom Grether Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:22.18 | $239,333 | I | [18] |
2007 | Maryfield | 6 | Elvis Trujillo | Doug F. O'Neill | Mark Gorman, Nick J. Mestrandrea & Jim Perry | 7 furlongs | 1:22.78 | $250,000 | I | [19] |
2006 | Dubai Escapade | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Eoin G. Harty | Darley Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.07 | $240,000 | I | [20] |
2005 | Happy Ticket | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Stewart Mather Madison | 7 furlongs | 1:24.53 | $250,000 | I | [21] |
Ballerina Handicap | ||||||||||
2004 | Lady Tak | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Steven M. Asmussen | Heiligbrodt Racing Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.09 | $250,000 | I | [22] |
2003 | Harmony Lodge | 5 | Richard Migliore | Todd A. Pletcher | Eugene & Laura Melnyk | 7 furlongs | 1:22.23 | $250,000 | I | [23] |
2002 | Shine Again | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.26 | $250,000 | I | [24] |
2001 | Shine Again | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.33 | $250,000 | I | [25] |
2000 | Dream Supreme | 3 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Kinsman Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.97 | $250,000 | I | [26] |
1999 | Furlough | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:23.04 | $200,000 | I | [27] |
1998 | Stop Traffic | 5 | Shane Sellers | Richard E. Mandella | Diamond A Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.23 | $200,000 | I | [28] |
1997 | Pearl City | 3 | Joe Bravo | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.39 | $150,000 | I | [29] |
1996 | Chaposa Springs | 4 | Shane Sellers | Martin D. Wolfson | Suresh Chintamaneni | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $150,000 | I | [30] |
1995 | Classy Mirage | 5 | Julie Krone | H. Allen Jerkens | Middletown Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $150,000 | I | [31] |
1994 | § Roamin Rachel | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Tri Honors Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $108,400 | I | [32] |
Ballerina Stakes | ||||||||||
1993 | Spinning Round | 4 | Jorge F. Chavez | Carl J. Domino | Kinsman Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.40 | $115,200 | I | [33] |
1992 | Serape | 4 | Chris Antley | Henrietta Alexander George | Helen K. Groves | 7 furlongs | 1:21.20 | $118,600 | I | [34] |
1991 | Queena | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Emory A. Hamilton | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $120,400 | I | [35] |
1990 | § Feel The Beat | 5 | Jose A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | H. Joseph Allen | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $119,800 | I | [36] |
1989 | Proper Evidence | 4 | Chris Antley | John L. Dalton | Harry A. Gampel | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $121,800 | I | [37] |
1988 | Cadillacing | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:21.60 | $115,000 | I | [38] |
1987 | I'm Sweets | 4 | Eddie Maple | Woodford C. Stephens | Brushwood Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $114,600 | II | [39] |
1986 | Gene's Lady | 5 | Randy Romero | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $113,200 | II | [40] |
1985 | § Lady's Secret | 3 | Donald MacBeth | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $90,300 | II | [41] |
1984 | Lass Trump | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Alan Samford | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $86,400 | II | [42] |
1983 | Ambassador of Luck | 4 | Antonio Graell | Mitchell C. Preger | Envoy Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $54,400 | III | [43] |
1982 | Expressive Dance | 4 | Donald MacBeth | Stanley M. Hough | Diana M. Firestone | 7 furlongs | 1:22.80 | $58,600 | III | [44] |
1981 | Love Sign | 4 | Ruben Hernandez | Sidney J. Watters Jr. | Stephen C. Clark, Jr. | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $54,000 | III | [45] |
1980 | Davona Dale | 4 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | Calumet Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $56,330 | Listed | [46] |
1979 | Blitey | 3 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Angel Penna Sr. | Ogden Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $42,750 | Listed | [1] |
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
References
- "Blitey wins Ballerina by 1½ over Shukey (1979 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 20 August 1979)". New York Daily News. 21 August 1979. p. 278. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "BALLERINA (USA) b. M, 1950 - 42 Starts, 7 Wins, 8 Places, 3 Shows Career Earnings: $59,225". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "Ketel One Ballerina Stakes (Gr. 1)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "BALLERINA STAKES - SARATOGA, NY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "2020 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- "2019 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2018 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2017 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2016 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2015 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2014 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 11)". Equibase. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2013 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2012 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2011 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2010 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2009 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2008 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2007 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2006 Ballerina Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 August 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2005 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2004 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 August 2004. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2003 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2002 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 August 2002. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2001 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2001. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "2000 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 August 2000. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1999 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 22 August 1999. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1998 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 1998. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1997 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 August 1997. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1996 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 August 1996. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1995 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 August 1995. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1994 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 August 1994. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1993 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 August 1993. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1992 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 9 August 1992. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "1991 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 August 1991. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Douglas, Bill (11 August 1990). "Feel The Beat Wins Ballerina (1990 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 10 August 1990)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 21. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Douglas, Bill (12 August 1989). "42-1 Shot Rolls to Ballerina Win (1989 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 11 August 1989)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 21. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Woodworth, Gordon (13 August 1988). "Cordero wins Ballerina race, two others (1988 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 12 August 1988)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 25. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Cusano, Mark (15 August 1987). "I'm Sweets wins Ballerina race (1987 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 14 August 1987)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 28. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Cusano, Mark (9 August 1986). "No disappointment in Ballerina (1986 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 8 August 1986)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 19. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "No disappointment in Ballerina (1985 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 9 August 1985)". The Associated Press. The Miami Herald. 10 August 1985. p. 97. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Lass Trump triumphs in Ballerina Stakes (1984 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 9 August 1984)". The Associated Press. The Tampa Tribune. 10 August 1984. p. 104. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Ambassador of Luck Takes Ballerina (1983 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 5 August 1983)". The Associated Press. The Burlington Free Press. 6 August 1983. p. 28. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Expressive Dance wins (1982 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 11 August 1982)". The Associated Press. Glen Falls Post-Star. 12 August 1982. p. 22. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- "Love Sign wins Ballerina; Regard last (1981 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 5 August 1981)". New York Daily News. 6 August 1981. p. 220. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Metivier, Don (9 August 1980). "Davona Dale tops classy field to win Ballerina (1980 Ballerina Stakes - race 8: held 8 August 1980)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 10. Retrieved 3 August 2020.