Tom Fool Handicap

The Tom Fool Handicap is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older at a distance of six furlongs on the dirt run annually in early March at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $200,000.

Tom Fool Handicap
Grade III race
LocationAqueduct Racetrack
Ozone Park, New York, United States
Inaugurated1975
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Race information
Distance6 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and older
WeightAssigned
PurseUS$200,000 (since 2012)

History

The race is named for U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Tom Fool who was champion two-year-old of 1951 and U.S. Horse of the Year in 1953. He is one of four horses to win the New York Handicap Triple which consists of the Metropolitan Handicap, the Suburban Handicap and the Brooklyn Handicap.[1]

The inaugural running of event was on 17 December 1975 with conditions for three-year-olds and older over a distance of seven furlongs and was won by Hobeau Farm's five-year-old Kinsman Hope who was trained by US Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens and ridden by jockey John Ruane winning by a margin of one and one-half lengths in a time of 1:212⁄5.[2]

The following year the event was moved and scheduled in the summer meet at Aqueduct and held in July[3] and in 1977 the summer meeting returned to Belmont Park.[4]

The winner of the 1978 running, J. O. Tobin as top weight carrying 129 lbs won easily by 6+1⁄2 lengths in a very fast time of 1:204⁄5.[5] Although this would J. O. Tobin's last victory his six wins would be enough to capture US Champion Sprint Horse for 1978.

In although the event continued with handicap conditions in 1979 the event's name was modified to the Tom Fool Stakes and was used as such until 1995.[3] In 1981 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the classification of the event to Grade III and the following year to Grade II.[3]

In 1987 Groovy won the event for the second time in easily by 6+1⁄2 lengths as the 3/5 odds-on favorite. Groovy's win was his fourth straight. He would win two more events before finishind 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.[6] His efforts won him an Eclipse Award as US Champion Sprint Horse for 1987.

In 2002 the winner Left Bank started as the 8/5 favorite and set a new track record of 1:20.17 for the seven-furlong distance.[7]

The 2004 running of the event only attracted four entrants. Stronach Stables' four-year-old Ghostzapper was returning after a lengthy nine-month layoff after his Grade I Vosburgh Stakes win and continued his winning streak comfortable winning the event in 1:20.42. Trainer Bobby Frankel however would pursue events that were a longer distance culminating with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Ghostzapper's outstanding season would earn him US Horse of the Year honors for 2004.

After not being held in 2010, the event was downgraded to Grade III and moved to Aqueduct in 2011 where it is held in March. From 2011 to 2017, the event was run on the inner track but is now run on the main track.[3]

In 2015 the conditions of the event were modified not allow three-year-olds to enter.[8]

Records

Speed record:

  • 6 furlongs: 1:08.77 – Do Share (2019)
  • 7 furlongs: 1:20.17 – Left Bank (2002)

Margins:

  • 6+3⁄4 lengths – Track Barron (1985)
  • 6+1⁄2 lengths – J. O. Tobin (1978), Groovy (1987), Do Share (2019)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Salutos Amigos (2015, 2016)
  • 2 – Calibrachoa (2011, 2012)
  • 2 – Rise Jim (1981, 1982)
  • 2 – Groovy (1986, 1987)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

  • 2 – William H. Grinold (1981, 1982)
  • 2 – Hobeau Farm (1975, 2005)
  • 2 – Shadwell Racing (1996, 2008)
  • 2 – Repole Stable (2011, 2012)
  • 2 – David Jacobson (2015, 2016)
  • 2 – Southern Equine Stable (2015, 2016)


Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Aqueduct – Tom Fool Handicap
2023 Little Vic 4 Carlos Olivero Juan Carlos Avila Victoria's Ranch 6 furlongs 1:09.73 $150,000 III
2022 Officiating 4 Manuel Franco Saffie Joseph Jr. Vegso Racing Stable 6 furlongs 1:12.22 $194,000 III [9]
2021 Chateau 6 Kendrick Carmouche Rob Atras Michael Dubb 6 furlongs 1:12.10 $200,000 III [10]
2020 Mind Control 4 Junior Alvarado Gregory D. Sacco Red Oak Stable & Madaket Stables 6 furlongs 1:10.88 $213,000 III [11]
2019 Do Share 6 Reylu Gutierrez Michael J. Maker Three Diamonds Farm 6 furlongs 1:08.77 $205,200 III [12]
2018 Skyler's Scramjet 4 Trevor McCarthy Michelle Nevin SJB Stable & Marcello Micozzi 6 furlongs 1:11.38 $200,000 III [13]
2017 Spartiatis 7 Rajiv Maragh Leon J. Blusiewicz Constantine Peter Beler 6 furlongs 1:11.23 $200,000 III [14]
2016 Salutos Amigos 6 Cornelio Velasquez David Jacobson David Jacobson & Southern Equine Stable 6 furlongs 1:10.17 $200,000 III [15]
2015 Salutos Amigos 5 Cornelio Velasquez David Jacobson David Jacobson & Southern Equine Stable 6 furlongs 1:09.61 $200,000 III [8]
2014 Strapping Groom 7 Irad Ortiz Jr. David Jacobson Drawing Away Stable & David Jacobson 6 furlongs 1:09.85 $200,000 III [16]
2013 Comma to the Top 5 Joel Rosario Peter L. Miller Gary Barber 6 furlongs 1:10.26 $200,000 III [17]
2012 Calibrachoa 5 Cornelio Velasquez Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable 6 furlongs 1:09.07 $200,000 III [18]
2011 § Calibrachoa 4 Ramon A. Dominguez Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable 6 furlongs 1:09.67 $150,000 III [19]
2010 Race not held
At Belmont Park
2009 Munnings 3 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael B. Tabor 7 furlongs 1:21.08 $185,000 II [20]
2008 Lucky Island (ARG) 4 Alan Garcia Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.73 $161,000 II [21]
2007 High Finance 4 John R. Velazquez Richard A. Violette Jr. West Point Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.81 $197,500 II [22]
2006 Silver Train 4 Edgar S. Prado Richard E. Dutrow Jr. Four Roses Thoroughbreds 7 furlongs 1:21.66 $150,000 II [23]
2005 Smokume 4 Chantal Sutherland H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 7 furlongs 1:21.92 $150,000 II [24]
2004 Ghostzapper 4 Javier Castellano Robert J. Frankel Stronach Stables 7 furlongs 1:20.42 $142,500 II [25]
2003 Aldebaran 5 Jerry D. Bailey Robert J. Frankel Flaxman Holdings 7 furlongs 1:22.54 $150,000 II [26]
2002 Left Bank 5 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Michael B. Tabor 7 furlongs 1:20.17 $150,000 II [7]
2001 Exchange Rate 4 Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Padua Stables 7 furlongs 1:21.24 $150,000 II [27]
2000 Trippi 3 Jerry D. Bailey Todd A. Pletcher Dogwood Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.69 $150,000 II [28]
1999 Crafty Friend 6 Richard Migliore John C. Kimmel The Thoroughbred Corporation 7 furlongs 1:20.62 $150,000 II [29]
1998 Banker's Gold 4 Jorge F. Chavez H. Allen Jerkens Georgia E. Hofmann 7 furlongs 1:21.04 $150,000 II [30]
1997 Diligence 4 Jose A. Santos Nicholas P. Zito Kinsman Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $150,000 II [31]
1996 Kayrawan 4 Richard Migliore Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.95 $108,100 II [32]
Tom Fool Stakes
1995 Lite the Fuse 4 Julie Krone Richard E. Dutrow Sr. Richard E. Dutrow Sr. 7 furlongs 1:21.72 $108,700 II [33]
1994 Virginia Rapids 4 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Middletown Stables 7 furlongs 1:22.27 $107,300 II [34]
1993 Birdonthewire 4 Craig Perret Philip M. Serpe Robert Kaufman 7 furlongs 1:20.93 $112,800 II [35]
1992 Rubiano 5 Julie Krone Flint S. Schulhofer Centennial Farms 7 furlongs 1:21.70 $118,200 II [36]
1991 Mr. Nasty 4 Angel Cordero Jr. Guadalupe Preciado Hidden Lane Farm 7 furlongs 1:21.60 $113,000 II [37]
1990 Quick Call 6 Jorge F. Chavez Sidney J. Watters Jr. Lynda B. Stokes 7 furlongs 1:21.57 $87,800 II [38]
1989 Sewickley 4 Randy Romero Flint S. Schulhofer Robert S. Evans 7 furlongs 1:24.00 $113,200 II [39]
1988 King's Swan 8 Angel Cordero Jr. Richard E. Dutrow Sr. Alvin Akman 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $168,300 II [40]
1987 Groovy 4 Angel Cordero Jr. Jose A. Martin Lone Star Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $114,000 II [41]
1986 Groovy 3 Jose A. Santos Jose A. Martin John A. Ballis 7 furlongs 1:21.60 $111,600 II [42]
1985 Track Barron 4 Angel Cordero Jr. LeRoy Jolley Peter M. Brant 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $134,850 II [43]
1984 Believe The Queen 4 Jorge Velasquez H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $117,800 II [44]
1983 Deputy Minister (CAN) 4 Donald MacBeth Reynaldo H. Nobles Robert E. Brennan 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $86,700 II [45]
1982 Rise Jim 6 Angel Cordero Jr. J. Joseph O'Shea William H. Grinold 7 furlongs 1:23.80 $54,700 II [46]
1981 Rise Jim 5 Angel Cordero Jr. J. Joseph O'Shea William H. Grinold 7 furlongs 1:21.20 $54,700 III [47]
1980 Plugged Nickle 3 Jeffrey Fell Thomas J. Kelly John M. Schiff 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $55,100 [48]
1979 Cox's Ridge 5 Eddie Maple Joseph B. Cantey Loblolly Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $42,500 [49]
Tom Fool Handicap
1978 J. O. Tobin 4 Jeffrey Fell Laz Barrera George A. Pope Jr. 7 furlongs 1:20.80 $43,250 [5]
1977 Mexican General 4 Craig Perret J. Bowes Bond Mrs. Albert H. Lowenthal 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $37,675 [50]
At Aqueduct
1976 El Pitirre 4 Angel Cordero Jr. Laz Barrera Enrique Ubarri 7 furlongs 1:24.40 $44,250 [51]
1975 Kinsman Hope 5 John Ruane H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $44,875 [2]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

References
  1. Hunter, Avalyn. "Tom Fool (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. "Kinsman Hope Outduels Lonetree n Tom Fool – (race 8: held 17 December 1975)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 18 December 1975. p. 36. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. "Stakes profile". Equibase. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. "TOM FOOL HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  5. "J. O. Tobin breezes in Tom Fool – (race 8: held 23 July 1978)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 24 July 1978. p. 24. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  6. "Groovy (TX)". equibase.com. 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  7. "2002 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  8. "2015 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  9. "2022 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  10. "2021 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 6 March 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  11. "2020 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  12. "2019 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  13. "2018 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  14. "2017 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. "2016 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  16. "2014 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  17. "2013 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  18. "2012 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  19. "2011 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  20. "2009 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  21. "2008 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  22. "2007 Tom Fool Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  23. "2006 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 July 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  24. "2005 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 July 2005. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  25. "2004 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 4 July 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  26. "2003 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2003. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  27. "2001 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2001. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  28. "2000 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 July 2000. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  29. "1999 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 1999. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  30. "1998 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 July 1998. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  31. "1997 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 July 1997. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  32. "1996 Tom Fool Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 July 1996. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  33. "1995 Tom Fool Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 June 1995. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  34. "1994 Tom Fool Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 26 June 1994. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  35. "1993 Tom Fool Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 July 1993. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  36. "1992 Tom Fool Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 18 July 1992. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  37. "1991 Tom Fool Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 July 1991. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  38. "Quick Call knocks off Sewickley – (race 9: held 14 July 1990)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 15 July 1990. p. 42. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  39. "Sewickley zips by Houston; ... – (race 8: held 15 July 1989)". The Courier-Journal. The New York Times. 16 July 1989. p. 18. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  40. "King's Swan outduels Gulch ; ... – (race 8: held 16 July 1988)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 17 July 1988. p. 18. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  41. "Groovy keeps record perfect for the year with 6 1/2-length win – (race 8: held 18 July 1987)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 19 July 1987. p. 36. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  42. "Groovy hands Phone Trick first defeat by 6 1/4 lengths – (race 8: held 20 July 1986)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 21 July 1986. p. 29. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  43. Harris, Russ (22 July 1985). "Track Barron coasts in Fool – (race 8: held 21 July 1985)". New York Daily News. p. 101. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  44. "Believe The Queen triumphs in Tom Fool Stakes – (race 8: held 22 July 1984)". Asbury Park Press. The Associated Press. 23 July 1984. p. 44. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  45. O'Day, Joe (23 July 1983). "Deputy Minister captures Tom Fool – (race 8: held 17 July 1983)". New York Daily News. p. 56. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  46. Gaffer, Wes (18 July 1982). "Rise Jim runs to triumph in Tom Fool at Belmont – (race 8: held 17 July 1982)". New York Daily News. p. 93. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  47. "Cordero, Rise Jim found way to win Tom Fool – (race 8: held 19 July 1981)". New York Daily News. 20 July 1981. p. 72. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  48. "Fell rides Plugged Nickle to Tom Fool Stakes win – (race 8: held 20 July 1980)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 21 July 1980. p. 6. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  49. O'Day, Joe (23 July 1979). "Ridge in form, wins Tom Fool – (race 8: held 22 July 1979)". New York Daily News. p. 286. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  50. Gaffer, Wes (26 July 1977). "Mexican General Scores 3-Length Tom Fool Win – (race 8: held 25 July 1977)". New York Daily News. p. 91. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  51. Gaffer, Wes (26 July 1976). "El Pitirre's Big A 'Cap'; Proud and Bold Hurt – (race 8: held 25 July 1976)". New York Daily News. p. 49. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
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