Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap

Last updated
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
ClassGrade II
Location Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Inaugurated1985 (as the A Phenomenon Stakes)
Race type Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website NYRA
Race information
Distance6 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old & older
WeightHandicap
Purse$400,000 (2025)

The Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt held annually in late July at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Contents

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 17 August 1985 as the A Phenomenon Stakes, the sixth event on the card that day and was won by the Richard E. Dutrow Sr. trained Cognizant, who won in a time of 1:093⁄5. The event was named after the winner of the 1983 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, A Phenomenon. [1] A Phenomenon suffered a life-ending injury in the 1984 Forego Handicap. [2]

The event was classified as Grade III in 1990 [3] and in 1995 upgraded to Grade II.

In 2000, the event was renamed to honor Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr. who had died in 1999. Vanderbilt was a very prominent Thoroughbred owner who also served as chairman of the board of the New York Racing Association from 1971 to 1975.

In 2010 the event was upgraded to Grade I. [4]

The 2019 winner Imperial Hint set a new track record for the six-furlong distance, winning for the second time in a time of 1:07.92. [4]

In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade II. [5]


Records

Speed record:

Margins

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
2025Book’em Danno4 Paco Lopez Derek S. RyanAtlantic Six Racing6 furlongs1:08.98$400,000II [6]
2024Nakatomi5 Tyler Gaffalione Wesley A. Ward Qatar Racing & Mrs. Fitriani Hay6 furlongs1:09.97$350,000I [7]
2023Elite Power5 Irad Ortiz Jr. William I. Mott Juddmonte 6 furlongs1:09.22$350,000I [8]
2022 Jackie's Warrior 4 Joel Rosario Steven M. Asmussen J. Kirk & Juby Robison6 furlongs1:09.74$350,000I [9]
2021Lexitonian5 Jose Lezcano Jack Sisterson Calumet Farm 6 furlongs1:09.38$350,000I [10]
2020 Volatile 6 Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Three Chimneys Farm & Phoenix Thoroughbred III6 furlongs1:09.61$232,500I [11]
2019Imperial Hint6 Javier Castellano Luis Carvajal Jr.Raymond Mamone6 furlongs1:07.92$350,000I [12]
2018Imperial Hint5 Javier Castellano Luis Carvajal Jr.Raymond Mamone6 furlongs1:08.98$350,000I [13]
2017El Deal6 Javier Castellano Jorge NavarroMichelle & Albert Crawford6 furlongs1:09.26$350,000I [14]
2016 A. P. Indian 6 Joe Bravo Arnaud DelacourGreen Lantern Stables6 furlongs1:08.25$350,000I [15]
2015 Rock Fall 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Stonestreet Stables 6 furlongs1:08.75$350,000I [16]
2014Palace5 Cornelio Velásquez Linda L. Rice Antonino Miuccio6 furlongs1:08.56$350,000I [17]
2013Justin Phillip4 John R. Velazquez Steven M. Asmussen Zayat Stables 6 furlongs1:08.59$392,000I [18]
2012Poseidon's Warrior4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Robert E. Reid Jr.Swilcan Stable6 furlongs1:09.40$400,000I [19]
2011Sean Avery5 Joe Bravo Allen IwinskiBlack Swan6 furlongs1:09.71$250,000I [20]
2010Majesticperfection4 Shaun Bridgmohan Steven M. Asmussen Padua Stables6 furlongs1:08.63$250,000I [21]
2009Fabulous Strike6 Ramon A. Dominguez Todd M. BeattieWalter Downey6 furlongs1:08.69$250,000II [22]
2008Abraaj5 Alan Garcia Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Racing 6 furlongs1:10.23$250,000II [23]
2007Diabolical4 Mario G. Pino Steve KlesarisPuglisi Stables & Steve Klesaris6 furlongs1:08.67$260,000II [24]
2006 War Front 4 José A. Santos H. Allen Jerkens H. Joseph Allen 6 furlongs1:10.21$208,200II [25]
2005Pomeroy4 Eibar Coa Patrick L. Biancone Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith6 furlongs1:08.69$200,000II [26]
2004 Speightstown 6 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Eugene & Laura Melnyk 6 furlongs1:08.04$200,000II [27]
2003Private Horde4Jason P. LumpkinsS. Joe CainBilly R. Tucker6 furlongs1:09.18$200,000II [28]
2002 Orientate 4 Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Robert & Beverly Lewis 6 furlongs1:09.72$200,000II [29]
2001Five Star Day5 Garrett K. Gomez C. Beau GreelyColumbine Stable & Kitchwa Stables6 furlongs1:08.57$200,000II [30]
2000† Successful Appeal4 Edgar S. Prado John C. Kimmel Starview Stable & John T. L. Jones, Jr6 furlongs1:09.21$200,000II [31]
A Phenomenon Handicap
1999Intidab6 Robbie Davis Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Racing 6 furlongs1:09.00$150,000II [32]
1998 Kelly Kip 4 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 6 furlongs1:09.60$137,575II [33]
A Phenomenon Stakes
1997 Royal Haven 5 Richard Migliore Gasper S. MoscheraBarbara J. Davis6 furlongs1:09.60$108,700II [34]
1996 Prospect Bay 4 Jerry D. Bailey John C. Kimmel Lucille Conover6 furlongs1:08.20$109,600II [35]
A Phenomenon Handicap
1995Not Surprising5 Robbie Davis Judson Van WorpRobert Van Worp6 furlongs1:09.60$111,900II [36]
1994Boundary4 John R. Velazquez William I. Mott Mrs. W. H. Perry 6 furlongs1:08.60$109,800III [37]
A Phenomenon Stakes
1993Gold Spring (ARG) 5 Pat Day Jesse N. WiggintonRoss Harris6 furlongs1:09.20$117,800III [38]
1992For Really5 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Regal Oak Farm6 furlongs1:08.60$119,200III [39]
1991Kid Russell5Rafael Mojica Jr. H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 6 furlongs1:09.40$119,000III [40]
1990Prospectors Gamble5Julio A. Garcia Brian A. Mayberry Jan Siegel6 furlongs1:09.20$84,000III [41]
1989Mr. Nickerson3 José A. Santos Mark J. ReidRobert H. A. Nixon6 furlongs1:08.80$87,750 [42]
1988High Brite4 Ángel Cordero Jr. D. Wayne Lukas H. Joseph Allen 6 furlongs1:10.00$84,000 [43]
1987Banker's Jet5Jorge L. VargasSalvatore J. LongoGerald Fineberg6 furlongs1:09.00$82,830 [44]
1986Cognizant5 Pat Day Richard E. Dutrow Sr. Happy Valley Farm6 furlongs1:09.20$55,300 [45]
1985Cognizant4 Pat Day Richard E. Dutrow Sr. Happy Valley Farm6 furlongs1:09.60$55,600 [46]

Notes:

† In the 2000 running Intidab crossed the finish line first but was later disqualified; Successful Appeal was declared the winner.

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

  1. ↑ "A PHENOMENON (USA) b. H, 1980 – 12 Starts, 6 Wins, 3 Places, 1 Shows Career Earnings: $380,982". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  2. ↑ Crist, Steve (20 August 1984). "A Phenomenon Destroyed After Injury". The New York Times . p. Section C-5. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Gr. 1)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  4. 1 2 "ALFRED G. VANDERBILT HANDICAP - SARATOGA, NY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2025". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "2025 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 2 - race 11)". 19 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "2024 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1 - race 6)". 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "2023 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1 - race 8)" (PDF). 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "2022 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (Grade 1 - race 8)". www.equibase.com. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "2021 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "2020 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "2019 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  13. ↑ "2018 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 28 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  14. ↑ "2017 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  15. ↑ "2016 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  16. ↑ "2015 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  17. ↑ "2014 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  18. ↑ "2013 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  19. ↑ "2012 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  20. ↑ "2011 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "2010 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  22. ↑ "2009 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "2008 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 July 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  24. ↑ "2007 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 28 July 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "2006 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  26. ↑ "2005 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 13 August 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  27. ↑ "2004 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 14 August 2004. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  28. ↑ "2003 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 10 August 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  29. ↑ "2002 A. G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 11 August 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  30. ↑ "2001 A. G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 5 August 2001. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  31. ↑ "2000 A. G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 9 August 2000. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  32. ↑ "1999 A Phenomenon Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 11 August 1999. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  33. ↑ "1998 A Phenomenon Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 12 August 1998. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  34. ↑ "1997 A Phenomenon Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 August 1997. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  35. ↑ "1996 A Phenomenon Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 August 1996. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  36. ↑ "1995 A Phenomenon Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 6 August 1995. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  37. ↑ "1994 A Phenomenon Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 August 1994. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  38. ↑ "1993 A Phenomenon Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 August 1993. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  39. ↑ "1992 A Phenomenon Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 3 August 1992. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  40. ↑ "1991 A Phenomenon Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 August 1991. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  41. ↑ "Thoroughbred Racing (1990 A Phenomenon Stakes – race 8: held 4 August 1990)". The Courier-Journal . 5 August 1990. p. 46. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  42. ↑ "Racing Roundup (1989 A Phenomenon Stakes – race 7: held 5 August 1989)". Hartford Courant . 6 August 1989. p. 71. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  43. ↑ "Racing Roundup (1988 A Phenomenon Stakes – race 1: held 5 August 1988)". New York Daily News . 6 August 1988. p. 74. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  44. ↑ "Saratoga racing results (1987 A Phenomenon Stakes – race 6: held 8 August 1987)". Glen Falls Post-Star . 9 August 1987. p. 49. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  45. ↑ "Saratoga racing results (1986 A Phenomenon Stakes – race 5: held 8 August 1986)". The Courier-Journal . 9 August 1986. p. 25. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  46. ↑ "Racing Roundup (1985 A Phenomenon Stakes – race 6: held 17 August 1985)". New York Daily News . 18 August 1985. p. 185. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
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