Ballston Spa Stakes

The Ballston Spa Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four 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 $300,000.

Ballston Spa Stakes
Grade II race
LocationSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Inaugurated1984
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
SponsorMohegan Sun (2023)
WebsiteNYRA
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, four-years-old and older
Weight124 lbs with allowances
Purse$300,000 (2023)

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:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Saratoga – Ballston Spa Stakes
2023 Evvie Jets 5 Manuel Franco Mertkan Kantarmaci Estate of Robert J. Amendola abt. 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.06 $300,000 II [5]
2022 Technical Analysis (IRE) 4 José L. Ortiz Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.90 $388,000 II [6]
2021 Viadera 5 Joel Rosario Chad C. Brown Juddmonte 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.82 $400,000 II [7]
2020 Starship Jubilee 7 Javier Castellano Kevin Attard Blue Heaven Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.76 $194,000 II [8]
2019 Significant Form 4 John R. Velazquez Chad C. Brown Stephanie Seymour Brant 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.39 $400,000 II [9]
2018 Quidura (GB) 5 José L. Ortiz Chad C. Brown Peter M. Brant 1+1⁄16 miles 1:39.67 $392,000 II [10]
2017 Lady Eli 5 Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown Sheep Pond Partners 1+1⁄16 miles 1:39.70 $384,000 II [11]
2016 Strike Charmer 6 Junior Alvarado Mark A. Hennig Courtland Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:38.77 $400,000 II [12]
2015 Dacita (CHI) 4 Javier Castellano Chad C. Brown Sheep Pond Partners & Bradley Thoroughbreds 1+1⁄16 miles 1:39.67 $400,000 II [13]
2014 Abaco 6 José L. Ortiz Claude R. McGaughey III Phipps Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.64 $250,000 II [14]
2013 Laughing (IRE) 5 Jose Lezcano Alan E. Goldberg Richard Santulli 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.37 $250,000 II [15]
2012 Zagora (FR) 5 Ramon A. Dominguez Chad C. Brown Martin S. Schwartz 1+1⁄16 miles 1:39.07 $250,000 II [16]
2011 Daveron (GER) 6 Eddie Castro H. Graham Motion Team Valor International 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.09 $200,000 II [17]
2010 Dynaslew 4 Eibar Coa Seth Benzel Live Oak Plantation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.58 $200,000 II [18]
Ballston Spa Handicap
2009 Salve Germania (IRE) 4 Javier Castellano Waldemar Hickst Hellwig Manfred 1+1⁄16 miles 1:47.25 $200,000 II [19]
2008 Wait A While 5 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Arindel Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:39.70 $196,000 II [20]
2007 Wait A While 4 Garrett K. Gomez Todd A. Pletcher Arindel Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.00 $200,000 II [21]
2006 My Typhoon (IRE) 4 Garrett K. Gomez William I. Mott Live Oak Plantation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.72 $200,000 II [22]
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 [23]
2004 Ocean Drive 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Bonnie & Sy Baskin 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.92 $201,000 III [24]
2003 Stylish 5 John R. Velazquez William I. Mott Estate of Ahmed bin Salman 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.03 $213,400 III [25]
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 [26]
2000 License Fee 5 Pat Day W. Elliott Walden Winstar Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.53 $206,500 III [27]
1999 Pleasant Temper 5 Jerry D. Bailey W. Elliott Walden Mark H. Stanley 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.84 $207,800 III [28]
1998 Memories of Silver 5 Jerry D. Bailey James J. Toner Joan G. Phillips 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.93 $211,000 III [29]
1997 Valor Lady 5 John R. Velazquez Mark A. Hennig Jerome & John Amerman 1+1⁄16 miles 1:39.47 $217,000 III [30]
Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap
1996 Danish (IRE) 5 José A. Santos Christophe Clement Jayeff B Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.50 $210,600 III [31]
1995 Weekend Madness (IRE) 5 Shane Sellers Burk Kessinger Jr. New Phoenix Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.34 $155,500 III [32]
1994 Weekend Madness (IRE) 4 Shane Sellers Burk Kessinger Jr. New Phoenix Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.77 $155,850 Listed [33]
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 [34]
1992 Aurora 4 Craig Perret Flint S. Schulhofer Helen K. Groves 1 mile 1:36.94 $156,450 Listed [35]
1991 Paris Opera 5 Gary L. Stevens Lawrence W. Jennings Jr. Earle I. Mack 1 mile 1:37.41 $157,450 Listed [36]
1990 Fire the Groom 3 Lanfranco Dettori Luca M. Cumani Randall Dee Hubbard 1 mile 1:35.20 $159,700 [37]
1989 Wakonda 5 Ángel Cordero Jr. Spasoje Dimitrijevic John A. Nerud 1 mile 1:33.80 $156,500 [38]
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.

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References
  1. "Chick' triumphs (1983 Ballston Spa Stakes – race 8: held 4 August 1983)". Democrat and Chronicle. Associated Press. 5 August 1983. p. 12. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  2. "Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes (Gr. 2)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  3. "BALLSTON SPA STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. "2002 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 24 August 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. "2023 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)" (PDF). Equibase. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  6. "2022 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  7. "2021 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  8. "2020 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 3)". Equibase. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  9. "2019 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  10. "2018 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  11. "2017 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  12. "2016 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  13. "2015 Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 12)". Equibase. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  14. "2014 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  15. "2013 Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  16. "2012 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  17. "2011 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  18. "2010 Ballston Spa Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  19. "2009 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  20. "2008 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  21. "2007 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  22. "2006 Ballston Spa Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  23. "2005 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  24. "2004 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 30 August 2004. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  25. "2003 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  26. "2001 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 12 August 2001. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  27. "2000 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 13 August 2000. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  28. "1999 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 15 August 1999. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  29. "1998 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 August 1998. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  30. "1997 Ballston Spa Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 August 1997. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  31. "1996 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 August 1996. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  32. "1995 Saratoga Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 28 July 1995. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  33. "1994 Saratoga Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 July 1994. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  34. "1993 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 1993. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  35. "1992 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 24 October 1992. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  36. "1991 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 26 October 1991. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  37. "Thoroughbred Racing (1990 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap – race 7: held 3 November 1990)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 4 November 1990. p. 53. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  38. Farrell, Mike (22 October 1989). "Dispersal, track crew big winners (1989 Aqueduct Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap – race 7: held 21 October 1989)". The Hackensack Record. Associated Press. p. 13. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
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