Pilgrim Stakes

The Pilgrim Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the turf track scheduled annually in late September at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $200,000.

Pilgrim Stakes
Grade II race
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1979 (at Aqueduct Racetrack)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationTwo-year-olds
Weight122 lbs with allowances
Purse$200,000 (2021)
BonusesWinner receives automatic entrance to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

History

The event was inaugurated on 29 October 1979 at Aqueduct Racetrack and was run over the 1+1⁄8 mile distance in split divisions as the sixth[1] and eighth race[2] on the card that day.

The race is named for Joseph E. Widener's horse, Pilgrim,[3] winner of the 1919 Remsen Stakes.

In 1982 the event was classified as Grade III, upgraded to Grade II in 1988 for two runnings before being downgraded to Grade III.[4] From 2001–2007 the race was not graded as in 2009 when the event was moved off the turf track due to the inclement weather and held over a shorter one mile distance.[5]

The event was run in two divisions in the above mentioned inaugural 1979 and again in 1983.[6]

The distance of the event has been changed several times but since 2010 the event has been run over the current distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.[4]

The race was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series from 2008 to 2010, when the winner automatically qualified for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

The event was upgraded to a Grade III event in 2020.[7]

In 2022 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[8]

Records

Speed record:

  • 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:41.04 – Annapolis (2021)
  • 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:48.02 – Volponi (2000)

Margins:

  • 12 lengths – Diplomatic Jet (1994)

Most wins by an owner:

  • 2 – Live Oak Racing (1981, 2001)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners
Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Aqueduct – Pilgrim Stakes
2023 Agate Road Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.83 $200,000 II [9]
2022 Major Dude Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Spendthrift Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:46.60 $200,000 II [10]
At Belmont Park
2021 Annapolis Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Bass Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.04 $186,000 II [11]
2020 Fire At Will Kendrick Carmouche Michael J. Maker Three Diamonds Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.46 $150,000 II [12]
2019 Structor Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown Jeff Drown & Don Rachel 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.46 $200,000 III [13]
2018 Forty Under Manuel Franco Jeremiah C. Englehart August Dawn Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.37 $200,000 III [14]
2017 Seabhac Luis Saez Todd A. Pletcher Donegal Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.48 $200,000 III [15]
2016 Oscar Performance José L. Ortiz Brian A. Lynch Amerman Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.88 $200,000 III [16]
2015 Isotherm Jose Lezcano George Weaver Matthew Schera 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.98 $200,000 III [17]
2014 Imperia Javier Castellano Kiaran P. McLaughlin Godolphin Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.36 $200,000 III [18]
2013 Bobby's Kitten Javier Castellano Chad C. Brown Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.37 $200,000 III [19]
2012 Noble Tune Ramon A. Dominguez Chad C. Brown Martin S. Schwartz & Dell Ridge Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:47.81 $150,000 III [20]
2011 Shkspeare Shaliyah Alex O. Solis Doodnauth Shivmangal Shivmangal Racing Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:51.59 $100,000 III [21]
2010 Air Support Rajiv Maragh Claude R. McGaughey III Stuart S. Janney III 1+1⁄16 miles 1:47.87 $147,500 III [22]
2009 Eskendereya Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Zayat Stables 1 mile 1:37.85 $152,500 Listed Off turf[23]
2008 Elusive Bluff Michael C. Baze Eric J. Guillot Southern Equine Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:47.91 $156,800 III [24]
2007 The Leopard John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.61 $81,000 Listed [25]
2006 Pickapocket Eibar Coa Frank A. Alexander Martin Cherry 1+1⁄8 miles 1:52.62 $85,925 Listed [26]
2005 Fagan's Legacy Joe Bravo Kelly J. Breen George & Lori Hall 1+1⁄8 miles 1:52.11 $82,575 Listed Off turf[27]
2004 Crown Point Jose L. Espinoza David G. Donk Drumlanrig Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:50.31 $82,875 Listed [28]
2003 Timo John R. Velazquez William Badgett Jr. C. K. Woods Stable 1+1⁄8 miles 1:57.46 $82,525 Listed [29]
At Aqueduct
2002 One Colony Aaron Gryder Mark A. Hennig Edward P. Evans 1+1⁄8 miles 1:51.00 $82,950 Listed Off turf[30]
2001 Miesque's Approval Jerry D. Bailey William I. Mott Live Oak Racing 1+1⁄8 miles 1:50.80 $83,475 Listed [31]
At Belmont Park
2000 Volponi John R. Velazquez Philip G. Johnson Amherst & Spruce Pond 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.02 $113,300 III [32]
1999 Kachemak Bay John R. Velazquez John P. Campo Jr. Evelyn M. Pollard 1+1⁄8 miles 1:54.67 $111,600 III [33]
1998 Incurable Optimist John R. Velazquez David G. Donk John T. & Theresa E. Behrendt 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.05 $108,100 III [34]
At Aqueduct
1997 § Cryptic Rascal Mike E. Smith William Badgett Jr. Landon Knight 1+1⁄8 miles 1:50.83 $115,700 III [35]
At Belmont Park
1996 Accelerator Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Mills Phipps 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.80 $113,800 III Off turf[36]
At Aqueduct
1995 Play It Again Stan Herb McCauley Frank A. Generazio Jr. Sybil Lauren 1+1⁄16 miles 1:50.20 $115,900 III [37]
At Belmont Park
1994 Diplomatic Jet Jerry D. Bailey Philip M. Serpe Fred W. Hooper 1+1⁄16 miles 1:46.67 $82,076 III [38]
1993 § Dove Hunt Jerry D. Bailey Neil J. Howard William S. Farish III 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.60 $122,600 III [39]
1992 § Awad Julie Krone David G. Donk Ryehill Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.60 $127,000 III [40]
1991 Smiling and Dancin Richard Migliore Stephen L. DiMauro Robert J. Sullivan 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.20 $122,800 III [41]
At Aqueduct
1990 Fourstars Allstar Mike E. Smith Leo O'Brien Richard Bromze 1+1⁄8 miles 1:51.60 $90,000 III [42]
1989 Super Mario Richard Migliore D. Wayne Lukas H. Joseph Allen 1+1⁄8 miles 1:56.00 $126,800 II [43]
1988 Tuneful Tip Carl Gambardella Ronald J. Dandy Frank Generazio 1+1⁄8 miles 1:59.00 $132,200 II [44]
1987 Blew by Em Chris Antley Michael H. Daggett Joseph B. Singer 1+1⁄8 miles 1:53.60 $92,850 III [45]
1986 § David's Bird Jean-Luc Samyn Philip G. Johnson Sugar Maple Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:53.00 $97,950 III [46]
1985 Pillaster Ángel Cordero Jr. LeRoy Jolley Peter M. Brant 1+1⁄8 miles 1:54.40 $89,550 III [47]
1984 Tent Up Vincent Bracciale Jr. John W. Hicks Geoffrey A. Huguely 1+1⁄8 miles 1:53.20 $94,500 III [48]
1983 Pied A' Tierre Larry Saumell Ronald L. Benshoff Blanche P. Levy 1+1⁄8 miles 1:51.40 $54,700 III †Division 1[49]
Vision Eddie Maple Woodford C. Stephens Claiborne Farm 1:50.20 $54,700 †Division 2[50]
1982 Fortnightly Ángel Cordero Jr. Edward I. Kelly Jr. Bwamazon Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:57.60 $85,800 III [51]
1981 Gnome's Gold Jean-Luc Samyn Patrick J. Kelly Live Oak Racing 1+1⁄8 miles 1:57.20 $84,300 [52]
1980 Akureyri Eddie Maple Woodford C. Stephens Hickory Tree Stable 1+1⁄8 miles 1:54.80 $58,400 [53]
1979 Freeo Sam Maple Joseph B. Cantey Loblolly Stable 1+1⁄8 miles 1:53.00 $42,850 Division 1[1]
I Take All Ángel Cordero Jr. Edward I. Kelly Sr. Brookfield Farm 1:52.40 $43,050 Division 2[2]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† Both divisions of the event were moved off the turf and onto the main track due to the inclement weather

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References
  1. "Freeo, I Take All capture divisions of Pilgrim Stakes (1979 Pilgrim Stakes Division 1 – race 6: held 29 October 1979)". Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. 30 October 1979. p. 34. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. "Pilgrim on Rocks (1979 Pilgrim Stakes Division 2 – race 8: held 29 October 1979)". New York Daily News. 30 October 1979. pp. 208, 209. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  3. "PILGRIM (USA) b. G, 1917 Career Earnings: $24,409". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  4. "Pilgrim Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. "PILGRIM STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. "PILGRIM STAKES (2ND. DIV.) - AQUEDUCT, NY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  7. Schweigardt, Andrew (2019). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2020". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  8. Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "NYRA Shifts Belmont Fall Meet to Aqueduct Change will allow construction of infield tunnel, redevelopment plan to begin". Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  9. "2023 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  10. "2022 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  11. "2021 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  12. "2020 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  13. "2019 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  14. "2018 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  15. "2017 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  16. "2016 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  17. "2015 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  18. "2014 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  19. "2013 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  20. "2012 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  21. "2011 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  22. "2010 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  23. "2009 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 October 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  24. "2008 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  25. "2007 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 4)". Equibase. 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  26. "2006 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  27. "2005 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  28. "2004 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  29. "2003 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 19 October 2003. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  30. "2002 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  31. "2001 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 6 November 2001. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  32. "2000 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 22 October 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  33. "1999 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 October 1999. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  34. "1998 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 25 October 1998. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  35. "1997 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 31 October 1997. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  36. "1996 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 20 October 1996. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  37. "1995 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 November 1995. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  38. "1994 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 25 September 1994. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  39. "1993 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 October 1993. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  40. "1992 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 October 1992. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  41. "1991 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 1991. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  42. "Fourstars Allstar rallies, prevails (1990 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 31 October 1990)". Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. 1 November 1990. p. 38. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  43. "Super Mario still unbeaten (1989 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 5 November 1989 )". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Associated Press. 6 November 1989. p. 38. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  44. "Tuneful Tip takes Pilgrim (1988 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 6 November 1988)". New York Daily News. 7 November 1988. p. 202. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  45. "Blew by Em just does that in Pilgrim (1987 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 31 October 1987)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 1 November 1987. p. 21. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  46. "David's Bird wins Pilgrim (1986 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 2 November 1986)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 3 November 1986. p. 40. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  47. "Pillaster a decisive winner in $89,550 Pilgrim Stakes (1985 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 9 November 1985)". Hackensack Record. 10 November 1985. p. 75. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  48. "Tent Up wins Pilgrim Stakes (1984 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 4 November 1984)". Asbury Park Press. Associated Press. 5 November 1984. p. 61. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  49. O'Day, Joe (20 October 1983). "Pied A' Tierre, Vision win in Big A Opener (1983 Pilgrim Stakes Division 1 – race 7: held 19 October 1983)". New York Daily News. p. 131. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  50. "Pied A' Tierre, Vision share Pilgram Stakes (1983 Pilgrim Stakes Division 2 – race 8: held 19 October 1983)". White Plains Journal News. Associated Press. 20 October 1983. p. 22. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  51. "Fortnightly takes Pilgrim (1982 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 25 October 1982)". New York Daily News. Associated Press. 26 October 1982. p. 61. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  52. "Gnome's Gold takes Pilgrim Purse (1981 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 26 October 1981)". Tampa Tribune. Associated Press. 27 October 1981. p. 50. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  53. "Akureyri surprise winner in Pilgrim Stakes at Aqueduct (1980 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 27 October 1980)". Miami News. Associated Press. 28 October 1980. p. 50. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
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