Top Flight Stakes
The Top Flight Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. A Listed race, it is open to fillies and mares, age three and older. The event is contested over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on dirt and currently offers a purse of $100,000.
| Listed race | |
| Location | Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1940 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA [1] |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1-1/8 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies & Mares, 4-years-old & up |
| Weight | 123 lbs. with allowances |
| Purse | $100,000 (2021) |
The Top Flight Handicap was run at Belmont Park prior to 1961 and again in 1993.[1]
The race is named for Top Flight, ranked in the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century at #66. Top Flight was never beaten by a member of her own sex.[2]
Historical note
Poker Night, the lone three-year-old in a field of seven, won the 1973 race by four lengths and bettered the stakes record time stakes two‐fifths of a second while running on a wet track officially rated only as good. [3]
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of 1 mile)
- 1:48.20 @ 1-1/8 miles: Poker Night (1973)
- 1:41.80 @ 1-1/16 miles: Parlo (1955)
- 1:34.96 @ 1 mile: Educated Risk (1994)
Most wins:
- 2 - Amerigo Lady (1968, 1969)
- 2 - Shuvee (1970, 1971)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 6 - Jerry Bailey (1990, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 - Todd A. Pletcher (2007, 2008, 2014 ,2019, 2023)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - Ethel D. Jacobs (1956, 1965, 1967)
- 3 - Rokeby Stable (1968, 1969, 1993)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
Dist. (Miles) |
Time | Win $ | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Falconet | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Todd A. Pletcher | China Horse Club & WinStar Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.42 | $55,000 | Listed |
| 2022 | Exotic West | 4 | Javier Castellano | Gary Sciacca | Louis Lazzinnaro | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.13 | $55,000 | Listed |
| 2021 | Horologist | 5 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | There's a Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farm Corp. & David Staudacher | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.14 | $55,000 | Listed |
| 2020 | Race not held due to COVID-19 | ||||||||
| 2019 | Another Broad | 4 | Manuel Franco | Todd A. Pletcher | Madaket Stables LLC, Elayne Stables, Brian Martin | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.99 | $110,000 | Listed |
| 2018 | Blue Prize | 4 | José Ortiz | Ignacio Correas IV | Merriebelle Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.48 | $120,000 | Listed |
| 2017 | Mo' Green | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | John Servis | Leonard C. Green | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.79 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2016 | Carrumba | 4 | José Ortiz | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.26 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2015 | House Rules | 4 | Junior Alvarado | James A. Jerkens | Joseph V. Shields Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.41 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2014 | Teen Pauline | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Stonestreet Stables | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.04 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2013 | Summer Applause | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | Gillian S.Campbell, Greenwood Lodge Farm, Dan Clark, Greg Skoda | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.10 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2012 | It's Tricky | 4 | Ramon Domínguez | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.30 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2011 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 2010 | Spacy Tracy | 5 | Jeremy Rose | Anthony W. Dutrow | Mercedes Stable | 1 m | 1:35.28 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2008 | Leah's Secret | 5 | Eibar Coa | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm | 1 m | 1:36.40 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2007 | Mini Sermon | 3 | Eibar Coa | Todd A. Pletcher | Edward P. Evans | 1 m | 1:37.29 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2006 | Rahy's Appeal | 4 | Alan Garcia | James K. Chapman | John & Martha Mullholland | 1 m | 1:36.15 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2005 | Stellar Jayne | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1 m | 1:35.94 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2004 | Daydreaming | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1 m | 1:35.29 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2003 | Randaroo | 3 | Heberto Castillo Jr. | Kiaran McLaughlin | H. Joseph Allen | 1 m | 1:36.49 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2002 | Sightseek | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1 m | 1:35.46 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2001 | Cat Cay | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 1 m | 1:35.45 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2000 | Reciclada | 5 | Jerry Bailey | Richard Mandella | Diamond A Stable | 1 m | 1:35.54 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1999 | Belle Cherie | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Philip G. Johnson | Belle Meadows Farm | 1 m | 1:35.46 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1998 | Catinca | 3 | Richard Migliore | John C. Kimmel | Robert K. Waxman | 1 m | 1:35.81 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1997 | Dixie Flag | 3 | Mike Luzzi | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 1 m | 1:35.34 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1996 | Flat Fleet Feet | 3 | Mike E. Smith | John C. Kimmel | Caesar P. Kimmel & Phillip J. & L. I. Solondz | 1 m | 1:37.00 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1995 | Twist Afleet | 4 | Mike E. Smith | John C. Kimmel | Lucille Conover | 1 m | 1:35.26 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1994 | Educated Risk | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1 m | 1:34.96 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1993 | You'd Be Surprised | 4 | Jerry Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.82 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1992 | Firm Stance | 4 | Pat Day | Mitch Shirota | Gainesway Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.55 | $120,000 | G1 |
| 1991 | Buy the Firm | 5 | Julie Krone | Carlos F. Martin | Morven Stud Farms | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.20 | $120,000 | G1 |
| 1990 | Dreamy Mimi | 4 | Jerry Bailey | George R. Arnold II | Alex G. Campbell Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $136,800 | G1 |
| 1989 | Banker's Lady | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Philip M. Hauswald | Edward A. Cox Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.20 | $133,680 | G1 |
| 1988 | Clabber Girl | 4 | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | John A. Nerud | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $141,840 | G1 |
| 1987 | Ms. Eloise | 4 | Robbie Davis | Philip G. Johnson | Margaret Grimm | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $138,480 | G1 |
| 1986 | Ride Sally | 4 | Walter Guerra | Nick Zito | Manhasset Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $134,640 | G1 |
| 1985 | Flip's Pleasure | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.00 | $101,160 | G1 |
| 1984 | Sweet Missus | 4 | Robert Thibeau | Michael C. Sedlacek | Glenn E. Lane | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $104,040 | G1 |
| 1983 | Adept | 4 | Karen Rogers | Frank I. Wright | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $65,160 | G1 |
| 1982 | Andover Way | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Howard M. Tesher | H. Joseph Allen | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $66,360 | G1 |
| 1981 | Chain Bracelet | 4 | Ruben Hernandez | James W. Maloney | Shirley H. Taylor | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $64,680 | G1 |
| 1980 | Glorious Song | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Gerry Belanger | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $66,360 | G1 |
| 1979 | Waya | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | David A. Whiteley | Peter M. Brant | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.80 | $64,680 | G1 |
| 1978 | Northernette | 4 | Jeffrey Fell | David A. Whiteley | Peter M. Brant | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $48,330 | G1 |
| 1977 | Shawi | 4 | Michael Venezia | Jose A. Martin | Mrs. Randolph Weinsier | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.80 | $48,285 | G1 |
| 1976 | Proud Delta | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Peter M. Howe | Montpelier | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.00 | $49,455 | G1 |
| 1975 | Twixt | 6 | William Passmore | Katherine M. Voss | Mrs. John M. Franklin | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $33,240 | G1 |
| 1974 | Lady Love | 4 | Eddie Maple | Frank Catrone | Ada L. Rice | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.60 | $33,120 | G1 |
| 1973 | Poker Night | 3 | Robert Woodhouse | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $33,420 | G1 |
| 1972 | Inca Queen | 4 | Garth Patterson | George T. Poole | Cornelius V. Whitney | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $33,900 | |
| 1971 | Shuvee | 5 | Ron Turcotte | Willard C. Freeman | Anne Minor Stone | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $32,340 | |
| 1970 | Shuvee | 4 | Braulio Baeza | Willard C. Freeman | Anne Minor Stone | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.60 | $37,375 | |
| 1969 | Amerigo Lady | 5 | Manuel Ycaza | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $35,620 | |
| 1968 | Amerigo Lady | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.00 | $37,830 | |
| 1967 | Straight Deal | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $36,075 | |
| 1966 | Summer Scandal | 4 | Garth Patterson | Woods Garth | Harborvale Stable (David O. Volkert) | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $35,945 | |
| 1965 | Affectionately | 5 | Walter Blum | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.80 | $37,180 | |
| 1964 | Oil Royalty | 6 | Howard Grant | Charles Whittingham | John R. Gaines | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.80 | $37,180 | |
| 1963 | Firm Policy | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | E. Barry Ryan | E. Barry Ryan | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.60 | $35,800 | |
| 1962 | Pepper Patch | 5 | Donald Pierce | Sol Rutchick | Nicholas A. Martini | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $37,050 | |
| 1961 | Make Sail | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | Woody Stephens | Cain Hoy Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.00 | $35,945 | |
| 1960 | Royal Native | 4 | Bill Hartack | Peter F. Gacicia | William B. MacDonald Jr. | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.00 | $36,385 | |
| 1959 | Big Effort | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | J. Elliott Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $17,575 | |
| 1958 | Plucky Roman | 4 | Howard Grant | Clyde Troutt | Ada L. Rice | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.00 | $17,672 | |
| 1957 | Plotter | 4 | Pete D. Anderson | William Post | Harry La Montagne | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.60 | $19,950 | |
| 1956 | Searching | 4 | Conn McCreary | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $19,400 | |
| 1955 | Parlo | 4 | Eric Guerin | Richard Handlen | Foxcatcher Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:41.80 | $21,700 | |
| 1954 | Sunshine Nell | 6 | Eddie Arcaro | Robert Green | Meyer J. Kaplan | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.40 | $24,750 | |
| 1953 | Marta | 6 | Conn McCreary | Woody Stephens | Woodvale Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $22,350 | |
| 1952 | Renew | 5 | William Boland | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | $16,850 | |
| 1951 | Busanda | 4 | Eric Guerin | Bartholomew Sweeny | Ogden Phipps | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.40 | $12,650 | |
| 1950 | Nell K. | 4 | George Hettinger | John B. Partridge | Spring Hill Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | $12,200 | |
| 1949 | But Why Not | 5 | Dave Gorman | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $11,450 | |
| 1948 | Honeymoon | 5 | Douglas Dodson | Wayne Stucki | W-L Ranch Co. | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $16,950 | |
| 1947 | Rytina | 4 | Ted Atkinson | George P. "Maj" Odom | Carol Averell Harriman Stewart | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $18,550 | |
| 1946 | Sicily | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | William Post | Harry La Montagne | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.20 | $17,400 | |
| 1945 | Miss Keeneland | 4 | Albert Snider | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.00 | $7,585 | |
| 1944 | Boojiana | 3 | Ted Atkinson | Andy Schuttinger | C. V. Whitney | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.40 | $8,165 | |
| 1943 | Mar-Kell | 4 | Bill Thompson | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.80 | $4,700 | |
| 1942 | Level Best | 4 | Don Meade | John Porter Jones | Crispin Oglebay | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $5,325 | |
| 1941 | Tangled | 3 | Conn McCreary | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.60 | $4,800 | |
| 1940 | True Call | 3 | Don Meade | Dion K. Kerr | Mrs. Dion K. Kerr | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $6,200 | |
References
- "Top Flight Invitational Handicap". NYRA. 2021-05-10. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- "Singing Rain 6-5 To Win Top Flight". Singing Rain 6-5 To Win Top Flight. 1970-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
- "9‐2 Shot Shatters Record for Stakes". New York Times, page 231. 1973-04-29. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
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