John A. Nerud Stakes
The John A. Nerud Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three and up. It is held over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt and is currently run in early July at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Known as the James Marvin Stakes from 2008 to 2013 and the Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes from 2014 to 2018, the race is named for the late John Nerud, a prominent thoroughbred owner and trainer who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.[1]
Grade II race | |
Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 2008 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Website | nyra.com |
Race information | |
Distance | 7 furlongs |
Surface | Dirt |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
Weight | Allowance |
Purse | $300,000 (2019) |
History
The race was inaugurated in 2008 as the James Marvin Stakes with a purse of $100,000.[2] It was originally named after James Marvin, a noted hotel owner and politician in Saratoga Springs in the 19th century. Marvin was one of the first members of the Saratoga Association that founded Saratoga Race Course in 1863. He later became a director of the Association and was its president from 1877 to 1891.[3]
The first running was at a distance of 6 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course but all subsequent renewals have been run at 7 furlongs. In 2012, the race was classified as a Grade III event. In 2014, the race was moved to Belmont and became part of the Stars and Stripes Festival, named the Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes.[2][4]
Clearly Now set a track record at Belmont Park when winning the 2014 renewal in 1:19.96.[5]
In 2017, the race was raised to Grade II status[6] and became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series – the winner will receive an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.[7]
Records
Speed record:
- 1:19.96 - Clearly Now (2014)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 - Cornelio Velasquez (2009, 2013)
- 2 - Joel Rosario (2012, 2017)
Winners
Year |
Winner |
Distance |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
Purse |
Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Limousine Liberal | 7 furlongs | Jose Ortiz | Ben Colebrook | Katherine G. Ball | 1:21.53 | $350,000 | II |
2017 | Mind Your Biscuits | 7 furlongs | Joel Rosario | Chad Summers | J Stables, Head of Plains Partners, et al. | 1:21.84 | $350,000 | II |
2016 | A. P. Indian | 7 furlongs | Joe Bravo | Arnaud Delacour | Green Lantern Stables | 1:21.41 | $400,000 | III |
2015 | Private Zone | 7 furlongs | Martin Pedroza | Jorge Navarro | Good Friends Stable | 1:22.57 | $400,000 | III |
2014 | Clearly Now | 7 furlongs | Jose Lezcano | Brian Lynch | Up Hill Stable | 1:19.96 | $400,000 | III |
2013 | Sage Valley | 7 furlongs | Cornelio Velasquez | Rudy Rodriguez | M. Dubb & G. Aisquith | 1:22.49 | $100,000 | III |
2012 | Pacific Ocean | 7 furlongs | Joel Rosario | Richard Dutrow Jr. | Dennis Narlinger | 1:22.53 | $100,000 | III |
2011 | Jackson Bend | 7 furlongs | Corey Nakatani | Nicholas Zito | Robert LaPenta & Fred Brei | 1:20.91 | $78,000 | listed |
2010 | Vineyard Haven | 7 furlongs | Alan Garcia | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1:22.30 | $75,000 | |
2009 | Gold Trippi | 7 furlongs | Cornelio Velasquez | Stanley Hough | E. Paul Robsham Stables | 1:22.30 | $80,500 | |
2008 | Eternal Star | 6 furlongs | Ramon Dominguez | Michael Trombetta | Harry & Tom Meyerhoff | 1:08.79 | $100,000 | |
References
- "NYRA announces stakes schedule for 48-day Belmont spring/summer meet" (Press release). New York Racing Association. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- "Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- "Saratoga150 - Feature Story on James Marvin". www.saratoga150.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- "Belmont Announces Stakes Schedule". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- "Belmont Sprint Track Record for Clearly Now". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- "Blue Grass, Wood Memorial Downgraded". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- "Del Mar to Host Five Breeders' Cup Challenge Races During Summer Meeting". www.dmtc.com. Retrieved 12 April 2017.