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Ballerina Handicap

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Ballerina Handicap
Grade I race
LocationSaratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Inaugurated1979
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Race information
Distance7 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
Qualificationfillies & mares, Three-years-old & up
WeightHandicap
Purse$500,000 (2021)
BonusesWinner qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

The Ballerina Handicap is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are three years old or older over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.

History

[edit]

The inaugural running of the Ballerina Stakes was 20 August 1979 and was won by the Ogden Phipps-owned three-year-old filly Blitey, who was ridden by the US Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. on a muddy track in a time of 1:2315.[1] The race is named for Howell E. Jackson's filly, Ballerina,[2] who won the 1954 inaugural running of the Maskette Stakes, run today as the Grade I Go For Wand Handicap.

In 1981 the event was classified as Grade III, upgraded to Grade II in 1984 and to Grade I in 1988.[3] The sudden rise in stature of the event was due to the quality of runners who won this event and continued to win important Grade I races. In particular the winner of the second running in 1980 was the 1979 US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Davona Dale, the 1983 winner Ambassador of Luck who went onto become the US Champion Older Dirt Female Horse and Lady's Secret, the 1985 winner as a three-year-old, who in the following year would win the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

The only dual winner of the event, Shine Again failed by a nose to win a third time as a six-year-old when she was beaten by the 13-1 outsider Harmony Lodge in 2003.[4]

The event continues to be a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series with the winner of the Ballerina Stakes automatically qualifying for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.[5]

Records

[edit]

Speed record:

Margins:

  • 9 14 lengths – Hilda's Passion (2011)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Shine Again (2001, 2002)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

[edit]
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Ballerina Handicap
2024 Society 5 Tyler Gaffalione Steven Asmussen Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $500,000 I [6]
2023 Echo Zulu 4 Florent Geroux Steven Asmussen L and N Racing & Winchell Thoroughbreds 7 furlongs 1:20.95 $500,000 I [7]
2022 Goodnight Olive 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown First Row Partners & Team Hanley 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $500,000 I [8]
2021 Gamine 4 John Velasquez Bob Baffert Micheal Lund Petersen 7 furlongs 1:21.61 $500,000 I [9]
Ballerina Stakes
2020 Serengeti Empress 4 Luis Saez Thomas M. Amoss Joel Politi 7 furlongs 1:21.63 $300,000 I [10]
2019 Come Dancing 5 Javier Castellano Carlos F. Martin Blue Devil Racing Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.48 $480,000 I [11]
2018 Marley's Freedom 4 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Cicero Farms 7 furlongs 1:21.39 $500,000 I [12]
2017 By the Moon 5 Rajiv Maragh Michelle Nevin Jay Em Ess Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.97 $500,000 I [13]
2016 Haveyougoneaway 5 John R. Velazquez Thomas Morley Gary Barber & Sequel Racing 7 furlongs 1:21.63 $500,000 I [14]
2015 Unbridled Forever 4 John R. Velazquez Dallas Stewart Charles E. Fipke 7 furlongs 1:22.54 $500,000 I [15]
2014 Artemis Agrotera 3 Rajiv Maragh Michael E. Hushion Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman 7 furlongs 1:21.89 $500,000 I [16]
2013 Dance to Bristol 4 Xavier Perez Ollie L. Figgins III Susan H. Wantz 7 furlongs 1:23.11 $500,000 I [17]
2012 Turbulent Descent 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Michael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith 7 furlongs 1:22.13 $500,000 I [18]
2011 Hilda's Passion 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Starlight Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.06 $250,000 I [19]
2010 Rightly So 4 Cornelio Velásquez Anthony W. Dutrow Zayat Stables 7 furlongs 1:22.58 $250,000 I [20]
2009 Music Note 4 Rajiv Maragh Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Stables 7 furlongs 1:22.10 $294,000 I [21]
2008 Intangaroo 4 Alonso Quinonez Gary Sherlock Tom Grether Farms 7 furlongs 1:22.18 $239,333 I [22]
2007 Maryfield 6 Elvis Trujillo Doug F. O'Neill Mark Gorman, Nick J. Mestrandrea & Jim Perry 7 furlongs 1:22.78 $250,000 I [23]
2006 Dubai Escapade 4 Edgar S. Prado Eoin G. Harty Darley Stable 7 furlongs 1:23.07 $240,000 I [24]
2005 Happy Ticket 4 John R. Velazquez Andrew Leggio Jr. Stewart Mather Madison 7 furlongs 1:24.53 $250,000 I [25]
Ballerina Handicap
2004 Lady Tak 4 Jerry D. Bailey Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.09 $250,000 I [26]
2003 Harmony Lodge 5 Richard Migliore Todd A. Pletcher Eugene & Laura Melnyk 7 furlongs 1:22.23 $250,000 I [27]
2002 Shine Again 5 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.26 $250,000 I [28]
2001 Shine Again 4 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.33 $250,000 I [29]
2000 Dream Supreme 3 Pat Day William I. Mott Kinsman Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.97 $250,000 I [30]
1999 Furlough 5 Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Phipps 7 furlongs 1:23.04 $200,000 I [31]
1998 Stop Traffic 5 Shane Sellers Richard E. Mandella Diamond A Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.23 $200,000 I [32]
1997 Pearl City 3 Joe Bravo D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 7 furlongs 1:22.39 $150,000 I [33]
1996 Chaposa Springs 4 Shane Sellers Martin D. Wolfson Suresh Chintamaneni 7 furlongs 1:21.80 $150,000 I [34]
1995 Classy Mirage 5 Julie Krone H. Allen Jerkens Middletown Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $150,000 I [35]
1994 § Roamin Rachel 4 Pat Day Claude R. McGaughey III Tri Honors Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.80 $108,400 I [36]
Ballerina Stakes
1993 Spinning Round 4 Jorge F. Chavez Carl J. Domino Kinsman Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $115,200 I [37]
1992 Serape 4 Chris Antley Henrietta Alexander George Helen K. Groves 7 furlongs 1:21.20 $118,600 I [38]
1991 Queena 5 Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Emory A. Hamilton 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $120,400 I [39]
1990 § Feel The Beat 5 José A. Santos D. Wayne Lukas H. Joseph Allen 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $119,800 I [40]
1989 Proper Evidence 4 Chris Antley John L. Dalton Harry A. Gampel 7 furlongs 1:23.20 $121,800 I [41]
1988 Cadillacing 4 Ángel Cordero Jr. Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Mills Phipps 7 furlongs 1:21.60 $115,000 I [42]
1987 I'm Sweets 4 Eddie Maple Woodford C. Stephens Brushwood Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.60 $114,600 II [43]
1986 Gene's Lady 5 Randy Romero D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $113,200 II [44]
1985 § Lady's Secret 3 Donald MacBeth D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 7 furlongs 1:22.60 $90,300 II [45]
1984 Lass Trump 4 Pat Day Claude R. McGaughey III Alan Samford 7 furlongs 1:21.80 $86,400 II [46]
1983 Ambassador of Luck 4 Antonio Graell Mitchell C. Preger Envoy Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $54,400 III [47]
1982 Expressive Dance 4 Donald MacBeth Stanley M. Hough Diana M. Firestone 7 furlongs 1:22.80 $58,600 III [48]
1981 Love Sign 4 Ruben Hernandez Sidney J. Watters Jr. Stephen C. Clark Jr. 7 furlongs 1:22.60 $54,000 III [49]
1980 Davona Dale 4 Jorge Velásquez John M. Veitch Calumet Farm 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $56,330 Listed [50]
1979 Blitey 3 Ángel Cordero Jr. Angel Penna Sr. Ogden Phipps 7 furlongs 1:23.20 $42,750 Listed [1]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

[edit]

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Blitey wins Ballerina by 1½ over Shukey (1979 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 20 August 1979)". New York Daily News. 21 August 1979. p. 278. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  2. ^ "BALLERINA (USA) b. M, 1950 – 42 Starts, 7 Wins, 8 Places, 3 Shows Career Earnings: $59,225". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Ketel One Ballerina Stakes (Gr. 1)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  4. ^ "BALLERINA STAKES - SARATOGA, NY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Breeders' Cup Challenge". Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2008.
  6. ^ "2024 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)" (PDF). Equibase. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  8. ^ "2022 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  10. ^ "2020 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  11. ^ "2019 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 6)". Equibase. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  12. ^ "2018 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  13. ^ "2017 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  14. ^ "2016 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  15. ^ "2015 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  16. ^ "2014 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)". Equibase. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  17. ^ "2013 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  18. ^ "2012 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  19. ^ "2011 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  20. ^ "2010 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  21. ^ "2009 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  22. ^ "2008 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  23. ^ "2007 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  24. ^ "2006 Ballerina Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 August 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  25. ^ "2005 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  26. ^ "2004 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 August 2004. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  27. ^ "2003 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  28. ^ "2002 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 August 2002. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  29. ^ "2001 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2001. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  30. ^ "2000 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 20 August 2000. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  31. ^ "1999 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 August 1999. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  32. ^ "1998 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 1998. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  33. ^ "1997 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 August 1997. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  34. ^ "1996 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 18 August 1996. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  35. ^ "1995 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 13 August 1995. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  36. ^ "1994 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 19 August 1994. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  37. ^ "1993 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 August 1993. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  38. ^ "1992 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 August 1992. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  39. ^ "1991 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 August 1991. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  40. ^ Douglas, Bill (11 August 1990). "Feel The Beat Wins Ballerina (1990 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 10 August 1990)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 21. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  41. ^ Douglas, Bill (12 August 1989). "42-1 Shot Rolls to Ballerina Win (1989 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 11 August 1989)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 21. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  42. ^ Woodworth, Gordon (13 August 1988). "Cordero wins Ballerina race, two others (1988 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 12 August 1988)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 25. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  43. ^ Cusano, Mark (15 August 1987). "I'm Sweets wins Ballerina race (1987 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 14 August 1987)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 28. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  44. ^ Cusano, Mark (9 August 1986). "No disappointment in Ballerina (1986 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 8 August 1986)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 19. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  45. ^ "No disappointment in Ballerina (1985 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 9 August 1985)". The Miami Herald. The Associated Press. 10 August 1985. p. 97. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  46. ^ "Lass Trump triumphs in Ballerina Stakes (1984 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 9 August 1984)". The Tampa Tribune. Associated Press. 10 August 1984. p. 104. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  47. ^ "Ambassador of Luck Takes Ballerina (1983 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 5 August 1983)". The Burlington Free Press. Associated Press. 6 August 1983. p. 28. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  48. ^ "Expressive Dance wins (1982 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 11 August 1982)". Glen Falls Post-Star. Associated Press. 12 August 1982. p. 22. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  49. ^ "Love Sign wins Ballerina; Regard last (1981 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 5 August 1981)". New York Daily News. 6 August 1981. p. 220. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  50. ^ Metivier, Don (9 August 1980). "Davona Dale tops classy field to win Ballerina (1980 Ballerina Stakes – race 8: held 8 August 1980)". Glen Falls Post-Star. p. 10. Retrieved 3 August 2020.