| Grade I race | |
| Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1979 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 7 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | fillies & mares, Three-years-old & up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $500,000 (2021) |
| Bonuses | Winner qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint |
The Ballerina Handicap 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 $500,000.
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 to 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: 1:20.95 – Echo Zulu (2023)
Margins:
- 9+1⁄4 lengths – Hilda's Passion (2011)
Most wins:
- 2 – Shine Again (2001, 2002)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 – John Velazquez (2005, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2021)
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 Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Echo Zulu | 4 | Florent Geroux | Steven Asmussen | L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC | 7 furlongs | 1:20.95 | $500,000 | I | [6] |
| 2022 | Goodnight Olive | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | First Row Partners & Team Hanley | 7 furlongs | 1:21.40 | $500,000 | I | [7] |
| 2021 | Gamine | 4 | John Velasquez | Bob Baffert | Micheal Lund Petersen | 7 furlongs | 1:21.61 | $500,000 | I | [8] |
| Ballerina Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2020 | Serengeti Empress | 4 | Luis Saez | Thomas M. Amoss | Joel Politi | 7 furlongs | 1:21.63 | $300,000 | I | [9] |
| 2019 | Come Dancing | 5 | Javier Castellano | Carlos F. Martin | Blue Devil Racing Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.48 | $480,000 | I | [10] |
| 2018 | Marley's Freedom | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Cicero Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.39 | $500,000 | I | [11] |
| 2017 | By the Moon | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | Michelle Nevin | Jay Em Ess Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.97 | $500,000 | I | [12] |
| 2016 | Haveyougoneaway | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Thomas Morley | Gary Barber & Sequel Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:21.63 | $500,000 | I | [13] |
| 2015 | Unbridled Forever | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | 7 furlongs | 1:22.54 | $500,000 | I | [14] |
| 2014 | Artemis Agrotera | 3 | Rajiv Maragh | Michael E. Hushion | Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman | 7 furlongs | 1:21.89 | $500,000 | I | [15] |
| 2013 | Dance to Bristol | 4 | Xavier Perez | Ollie L. Figgins III | Susan H. Wantz | 7 furlongs | 1:23.11 | $500,000 | I | [16] |
| 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 | [17] |
| 2011 | Hilda's Passion | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.06 | $250,000 | I | [18] |
| 2010 | Rightly So | 4 | Cornelio Velásquez | Anthony W. Dutrow | Zayat Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:22.58 | $250,000 | I | [19] |
| 2009 | Music Note | 4 | Rajiv Maragh | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:22.10 | $294,000 | I | [20] |
| 2008 | Intangaroo | 4 | Alonso Quinonez | Gary Sherlock | Tom Grether Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:22.18 | $239,333 | I | [21] |
| 2007 | Maryfield | 6 | Elvis Trujillo | Doug F. O'Neill | Mark Gorman, Nick J. Mestrandrea & Jim Perry | 7 furlongs | 1:22.78 | $250,000 | I | [22] |
| 2006 | Dubai Escapade | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Eoin G. Harty | Darley Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.07 | $240,000 | I | [23] |
| 2005 | Happy Ticket | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Stewart Mather Madison | 7 furlongs | 1:24.53 | $250,000 | I | [24] |
| Ballerina Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2004 | Lady Tak | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Steven M. Asmussen | Heiligbrodt Racing Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.09 | $250,000 | I | [25] |
| 2003 | Harmony Lodge | 5 | Richard Migliore | Todd A. Pletcher | Eugene & Laura Melnyk | 7 furlongs | 1:22.23 | $250,000 | I | [26] |
| 2002 | Shine Again | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.26 | $250,000 | I | [27] |
| 2001 | Shine Again | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.33 | $250,000 | I | [28] |
| 2000 | Dream Supreme | 3 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Kinsman Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.97 | $250,000 | I | [29] |
| 1999 | Furlough | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:23.04 | $200,000 | I | [30] |
| 1998 | Stop Traffic | 5 | Shane Sellers | Richard E. Mandella | Diamond A Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.23 | $200,000 | I | [31] |
| 1997 | Pearl City | 3 | Joe Bravo | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.39 | $150,000 | I | [32] |
| 1996 | Chaposa Springs | 4 | Shane Sellers | Martin D. Wolfson | Suresh Chintamaneni | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $150,000 | I | [33] |
| 1995 | Classy Mirage | 5 | Julie Krone | H. Allen Jerkens | Middletown Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $150,000 | I | [34] |
| 1994 | § Roamin Rachel | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Tri Honors Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $108,400 | I | [35] |
| Ballerina Stakes | ||||||||||
| 1993 | Spinning Round | 4 | Jorge F. Chavez | Carl J. Domino | Kinsman Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.40 | $115,200 | I | [36] |
| 1992 | Serape | 4 | Chris Antley | Henrietta Alexander George | Helen K. Groves | 7 furlongs | 1:21.20 | $118,600 | I | [37] |
| 1991 | Queena | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Emory A. Hamilton | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $120,400 | I | [38] |
| 1990 | § Feel The Beat | 5 | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | H. Joseph Allen | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $119,800 | I | [39] |
| 1989 | Proper Evidence | 4 | Chris Antley | John L. Dalton | Harry A. Gampel | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $121,800 | I | [40] |
| 1988 | Cadillacing | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:21.60 | $115,000 | I | [41] |
| 1987 | I'm Sweets | 4 | Eddie Maple | Woodford C. Stephens | Brushwood Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $114,600 | II | [42] |
| 1986 | Gene's Lady | 5 | Randy Romero | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $113,200 | II | [43] |
| 1985 | § Lady's Secret | 3 | Donald MacBeth | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $90,300 | II | [44] |
| 1984 | Lass Trump | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Alan Samford | 7 furlongs | 1:21.80 | $86,400 | II | [45] |
| 1983 | Ambassador of Luck | 4 | Antonio Graell | Mitchell C. Preger | Envoy Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $54,400 | III | [46] |
| 1982 | Expressive Dance | 4 | Donald MacBeth | Stanley M. Hough | Diana M. Firestone | 7 furlongs | 1:22.80 | $58,600 | III | [47] |
| 1981 | Love Sign | 4 | Ruben Hernandez | Sidney J. Watters Jr. | Stephen C. Clark Jr. | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $54,000 | III | [48] |
| 1980 | Davona Dale | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | John M. Veitch | Calumet Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $56,330 | Listed | [49] |
| 1979 | Blitey | 3 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Angel Penna Sr. | Ogden Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $42,750 | Listed | [1] |
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
See also
List of American and Canadian Graded races
References
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Challenge". Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
- ^ "2023 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)" (PDF). Equibase. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- ^ "2022 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "2021 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "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 Miami Herald. The Associated Press. 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 Tampa Tribune. Associated Press. 10 August 1984. p. 104. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- ^ "Ambassador of Luck Takes Ballerina (1983 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 5 August 1983)". The Burlington Free Press. Associated Press. 6 August 1983. p. 28. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- ^ "Expressive Dance wins (1982 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 11 August 1982)". Glen Falls Post-Star. Associated Press. 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.
This page was last edited on 3 April 2024, at 15:24