Ballston Spa Stakes
The Ballston Spa Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf course scheduled annually in late July or early August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
Grade II race | |
Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1984 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Sponsor | Woodford Reserve (2020) |
Website | NYRA |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Fillies & Mares, three-years-old & older |
Weight | 124 lbs with allowances |
Purse | $200,000 (2020) |
History
The inaugural running of the Ballston Spa Stakes was 4 August 1983 and was restricted to New York State bred fillies and mares that were three years old or older and run at a distance of 7 furlongs on the dirt.[1] The name of the event honors Ballston Spa, New York, a small town just south of Saratoga Springs. The Ballston Spa name was not used again until 1997.[2]
NYRA created a race in 1989 with Breeders' Cup incentives that was the forerunner of today's event. The event with additional sponsorship from Budweiser was known as the Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap and it was run in late October over a distance of one mile.[2] In 1994 the event was moved to Saratoga and was renamed as the Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap with an increase of distance to 1 1⁄16 miles.[2]
In 1995 the event was classified as Grade III and upgraded to Grade II in 2006.[3]
In 1997 the event was renamed once more to the Ballston Spa Handicap.
The 2002 event was taken off the turf track due to consistent rain during the days before the event which resulted in seven scratchings leaving a small field of three to run.[4] Surya won by the stakes largest distance of 9 1⁄4 lengths with over 50 lengths separating second and third on the muddy track.[4]
Several champions have won this event including the 2004–05 Australian Champion Three Year Old Filly Alinghi, the 2006 US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Wait A While, who was a dual winner of the event, the 2012 US Champion Female Turf Horse French bred Zagora who later that year would also win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Lady Eli, US Champion Female Turf Horse in 2017.
Records
Speed record:
- 1 1⁄16 miles: 1:38.77 - Strike Charmer (2016)
- 1 mile: 1:33.80 - Wakonda (1989)
Margins:
- 9 1⁄4 lengths - Surya (2002)
Most wins:
- 2 - Weekend Madness (1994, 1995)
- 2 - Wait A While (2007, 2008)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - New Phoenix Stable (1994, 1995)
- 2 - Arindel Farm (2007, 2008)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - John Velazquez (1997, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 - Chad Brown (2012, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Winners
Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Saratoga – Ballston Spa Stakes | ||||||||||
2020 | Starship Jubilee | 7 | Javier Castellano | Kevin Attard | Blue Heaven Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.76 | $194,000 | II | [5] |
2019 | Significant Form | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | Stephanie Seymour Brant | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.39 | $400,000 | II | [6] |
2018 | Quidura (GB) | 5 | Jose L. Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:39.67 | $392,000 | II | [7] |
2017 | Lady Eli | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Sheep Pond Partners | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:39.70 | $384,000 | II | [8] |
2016 | Strike Charmer | 6 | Junior Alvarado | Mark A. Hennig | Courtland Farms | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:38.77 | $400,000 | II | [9] |
2015 | Dacita (CHI) | 4 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Sheep Pond Partners & Bradley Thoroughbreds | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:39.67 | $400,000 | II | [10] |
2014 | Abaco | 6 | Jose L. Ortiz | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:42.64 | $250,000 | II | [11] |
2013 | Laughing (IRE) | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Alan E. Goldberg | Richard Santulli | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.37 | $250,000 | II | [12] |
2012 | Zagora (FR) | 5 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Chad C. Brown | Martin S. Schwartz | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:39.07 | $250,000 | II | [13] |
2011 | Daveron (GER) | 6 | Eddie Castro | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor International | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.09 | $200,000 | II | [14] |
2010 | Dynaslew | 4 | Eibar Coa | Seth Benzel | Live Oak Plantation | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.58 | $200,000 | II | [15] |
Ballston Spa Handicap | ||||||||||
2009 | Salve Germania (IRE) | 4 | Javier Castellano | Waldemar Hickst | Hellwig Manfred | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:47.25 | $200,000 | II | [16] |
2008 | Wait A While | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Arindel Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:39.70 | $196,000 | II | [17] |
2007 | Wait A While | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | Arindel Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.00 | $200,000 | II | [18] |
2006 | My Typhoon (IRE) | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | William I. Mott | Live Oak Plantation | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.72 | $200,000 | II | [19] |
2005 | Alinghi (AUS) | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Robert J. Frankel | John Messara, John Leaver & Alan Jones | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.30 | $135,966 | III | [20] |
2004 | Ocean Drive | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Bonnie & Sy Baskin | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.92 | $201,000 | III | [21] |
2003 | Stylish | 5 | John R. Velazquez | William I. Mott | Estate of Ahmed bin Salman | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.03 | $213,400 | III | [22] |
2002 | Surya | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Flaxman Stable | 1 1⁄8 miles | 1:52.29 | $191,800 | Listed | [4] |
2001 | Penny's Gold | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Christophe Clement | Overbrook Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.69 | $190,200 | III | [23] |
2000 | License Fee | 5 | Pat Day | W. Elliott Walden | Winstar Farm | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.53 | $206,500 | III | [24] |
1999 | Pleasant Temper | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | W. Elliott Walden | Mark H. Stanley | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.84 | $207,800 | III | [25] |
1998 | Memories of Silver | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | James J. Toner | Joan G. Phillips | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.93 | $211,000 | III | [26] |
1997 | Valor Lady | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Mark A. Hennig | Jerome & John Amerman | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:39.47 | $217,000 | III | [27] |
Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap | ||||||||||
1996 | Danish (IRE) | 5 | Jose A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Jayeff B Stables | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:41.50 | $210,600 | III | [28] |
1995 | Weekend Madness (IRE) | 5 | Shane Sellers | Burk Kessinger Jr. | New Phoenix Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:40.34 | $155,500 | III | [29] |
1994 | Weekend Madness (IRE) | 4 | Shane Sellers | Burk Kessinger Jr. | New Phoenix Stable | 1 1⁄16 miles | 1:43.77 | $155,850 | Listed | [30] |
At Aqueduct – Aqueduct Breeders' Cup Handicap | ||||||||||
1993 | One Dreamer | 5 | Earlie Fires | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.38 | $157,400 | Listed | [31] |
1992 | Aurora | 4 | Craig Perret | Flint S. Schulhofer | Helen K. Groves | 1 mile | 1:36.94 | $156,450 | Listed | [32] |
1991 | Paris Opera | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Lawrence W. Jennings Jr. | Earle I. Mack | 1 mile | 1:37.41 | $157,450 | Listed | [33] |
1990 | Fire the Groom | 3 | Lanfranco Dettori | Luca M. Cumani | Randall Dee Hubbard | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $159,700 | [34] | |
1989 | Wakonda | 5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Spasoje Dimitrijevic | John A. Nerud | 1 mile | 1:33.80 | $156,500 | [35] | |
1984–1988 | Race not held | |||||||||
At Saratoga – Ballston Spa Stakes | ||||||||||
1983 | § Subversive Chick | 3 | Declan J. Murphy | Michael C. Sedlacek | Badlands Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:24.20 | $37,500 | ‡Restricted | [1] |
Legend:
Turf
Dirt
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
‡ The inaugural event was restricted to New York State bred fillies and mares that are three years old or older.
References
- "Chick' triumphs (1983 Ballston Spa Stakes - race 8: held 4 August 1983)". The Associated Press. Democrat and Chronicle. 5 August 1983. p. 12. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- "Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes (Gr. 2)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "BALLSTON SPA STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2002 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 7)". Equibase. 24 August 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2020 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". Equibase. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- "2019 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2018 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2017 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2016 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2015 Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2014 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2013 Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2012 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2011 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2010 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2009 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2008 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2007 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2006 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2005 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2004 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 30 August 2004. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2003 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2001 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 August 2001. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "2000 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 August 2000. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1999 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 August 1999. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1998 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 August 1998. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1997 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 August 1997. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1996 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 August 1996. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1995 Saratoga Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 July 1995. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1994 Saratoga Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 July 1994. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1993 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 1993. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1992 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 7)". Equibase. 24 October 1992. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "1991 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 7)". Equibase. 26 October 1991. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- "Thoroughbred Racing (1990 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap - race 7: held 3 November 1990)". The Associated Press. The Courier-Journal. 4 November 1990. p. 53. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- Farrell, Mike (22 October 1989). "Dispersal, track crew big winners (1989 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap - race 7: held 21 October 1989)". The Associated Press. The Hackensack Record. p. 13. Retrieved 17 July 2020.