The Just A Game Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up run over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on the turf held annually in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of $500,000.
Grade I race | |
Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1992 |
Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
Website | NYRA |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Fillies & Mares, four-years-old and older |
Weight | 124lbs with allowances |
Purse | US$500,000 (2021) |
History
editThe race is named in honor of Peter Brant's filly, Just A Game, who was voted 1980 American Champion Female Turf Horse honors.
The event was inaugurated on Independence Day in 1992 and run over a distance of 1 3⁄8 miles on a muddy dirt track, won by Lady Lear who defeated the Irish Bred favorite by a length in a time of 2:159⁄10.[1]
The event was not held in 1993 but the next year the event was moved to the turf and run over a mile.[2]
The event was classified as a Grade III in 1997, upgraded to Grade II in 2004 and a Grade I in 2008.[2]
The event carried Breeders' Cup incentives between 1996 and 2005 which were reflected in the name of the event.[2]
Several mares have won this event who later became champions. The 2000 winner Perfect Sting later that year won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and was crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2004 British bred winner Intercontinental returned the following year only to get defeated into second place by Sand Springs but by the end of the season she made amends by winning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and also becoming the 2005 US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2015 winner Tepin continued en route to a Breeders' Cup Mile win and honored as 2015 US Champion Female Turf Horse.
In 2024 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[3]
Records
editSpeed record:
- 1:31.64 – Celestine (2016)
Margins:
- 6 lengths – Elizabeth Bay (1994)
Most wins:
- 2 – Caress (1995, 1996)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 – Juddmonte Farms (2004, 2008, 2017)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Javier Castellano (2011, 2014, 2017, 2019)
- 4 – Irad Ortiz Jr. (2018, 2020, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 7 – Chad C. Brown (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Winners
editYear | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Saratoga – Just a Game Stakes | ||||||||||
2024 | Chili Flag (FR) | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb & Michael E. Kisber | 1 mile | 1:35.01 | $500,000 | I | [4] |
At Belmont Park | ||||||||||
2023 | In Italian (GB) | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile | 1:34.00 | $485,000 | I | [5] |
2022 | Regal Glory | 6 | José Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile | 1:32.00 | $480,000 | I | [6] |
2021 | Althiqa (GB) | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin | 1 mile | 1:33.90 | $500,000 | I | [7] |
2020 | Newspaperofrecord (IRE) | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables | 1 mile | 1:35.62 | $250,000 | I | [8] |
2019 | Rushing Fall | 4 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | e Five Racing Thoroughbreds | 1 mile | 1:31.67 | $671,000 | I | [9] |
2018 | A Raving Beauty (GER) | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Bethlehem Stables | 1 mile | 1:32.14 | $700,000 | I | [10] |
2017 | Antonoe | 4 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Juddmonte Farms | 1 mile | 1:32.12 | $687,000 | I | [11] |
2016 | Celestine | 4 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | James Bryan, Jr | 1 mile | 1:31.64 | $700,000 | I | [12] |
2015 | Tepin | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Mark E. Casse | Robert E. Masterson | 1 mile | 1:35.65 | $700,000 | I | [13] |
2014 | Coffee Clique | 4 | Javier Castellano | Brian A. Lynch | Amerman Racing | 1 mile | 1:32.52 | $750,000 | I | [14] |
2013 | Stephanie's Kitten | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Wayne M. Catalano | Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey | 1 mile | 1:36.27 | $500,000 | I | [15] |
2012 | Tapitsfly | 5 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Dale L. Romans | Frank Jones Jr. | 1 mile | 1:32.34 | $500,000 | I | [16] |
2011 | C. S. Silk | 5 | Javier Castellano | Dale L. Romans | William Pacella, Fred Barbara & George Bonomo | 1 mile | 1:40.53 | $400,000 | I | [17] |
2010 | Proviso (GB) | 5 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Juddmonte Farms | 1 mile | 1:34.09 | $400,000 | I | [18] |
2009 | Diamondrella (GB) | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | Angel A. Penna Jr. | Castletop Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.49 | $400,000 | I | [19] |
2008 | Ventura | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1 mile | 1:32.75 | $400,000 | I | [20][21] |
2007 | My Typhoon (IRE) | 5 | Eddie Castro | William I. Mott | Live Oak Plantation | 1 mile | 1:34.92 | $294,000 | II | [22] |
Just a Game Handicap | ||||||||||
2006 | Gorella (FR) | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Patrick L. Biancone | Martin S. Schwartz | 1 mile | 1:37.14 | $285,000 | II | [23] |
2005 | Sand Springs | 5 | John R. Velazquez | William I. Mott | Sangster Family Stable | 1 mile | 1:33.05 | $300,000 | II | [24] |
2004 | § Intercontinental (GB) | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1 mile | 1:33.33 | $226,333 | II | [25] |
2003 | § Mariensky | 4 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Waterville Lake Stable | 1 mile | 1:43.28 | $214,500 | III | [26] |
2002 | Babae (CHI) | 6 | Jorge F. Chavez | Frank A. Alexander | Joseph P. Platt Jr. | 1 mile | 1:34.57 | $147,200 | III | [27] |
2001 | License Fee | 6 | Pat Day | W. Elliott Walden | Winstar Farm | 1 mile | 1:32.62 | $189,050 | III | [28] |
2000 | Perfect Sting | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Joe Orseno | Stronach Stables | 1 mile | 1:34.48 | $165,800 | III | [29] |
1999 | Cozy Blues | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | H. James Bond | Sandy & Joanne Dew | 1 mile | 1:33.33 | $157,700 | III | [30] |
1998 | Witchful Thinking | 4 | Chris McCarron | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Leslie R. Grimm | 1 mile | 1:33.45 | $157,325 | III | [31] |
1997 | Memories of Silver | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | James J. Toner | Joan & John Phillips | 1 mile | 1:32.90 | $158,950 | III | [32] |
1996 | † Caress | 5 | Robbie Davis | H. Allen Jerkens | Harbor View Farm | 1 mile | 1:33.30 | $158,150 | Listed | [33] |
Just a Game Stakes | ||||||||||
1995 | Caress | 4 | Robbie Davis | H. Allen Jerkens | Harbor View Farm | 1 mile | 1:32.53 | $82,000 | Listed | [34] |
1994 | Elizabeth Bay | 4 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Mohammed Al Maktoum | 1 mile | 1:32.85 | $55,550 | Listed | [35] |
1993 | Race not held | |||||||||
1992 | Lady Lear | 5 | Gerry Brocklebank | Linda L. Rice | Mark Weiss | 1 3⁄8 miles | 2:15.90 | $78,900 | Listed | [1] |
Legend:
Turf
Dirt
Notes:
† In 1996, Class Kris finished first but was disqualified and set back to second
§ Ran as part of an entry
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "1992 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 4 July 1992. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ a b c Equibase.com (2020). "Just a Game Stakes (Gr. 1)". Equibase. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga". nyra.com. New York Racing Association. January 24, 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "2024 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "2023 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "2022 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "2021 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "2020 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)" (PDF). Equibase. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "2019 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 4)". Equibase. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2018 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2017 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2016 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2015 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2014 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2013 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2012 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2011 Foxwoods Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2010 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2009 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2008 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "The 2008 Just A Game Handicap". Bloodhorse.com.
- ^ "2007 Just a Game Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2006 Just a Game Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 10 June 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2005 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 11 June 2005. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2004 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 June 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2003 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 June 2003. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2002 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 8 June 2002. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2001 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 9 June 2001. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "2000 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 10 June 2000. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "1999 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 5 June 1999. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "1998 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "1997 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 June 1997. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "1996 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 9 June 1996. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "1995 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 11 June 1995. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "1994 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 15 June 1994. Retrieved 26 June 2020.