Ballerina Handicap

Last updated
Ballerina Handicap
ClassGrade I
Location Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Inaugurated1979
Race type Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website NYRA
Race information
Distance 7 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
Qualification fillies & 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.

Contents

History

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 1:231⁄5. [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

Speed record:

Margins:

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
Ballerina Handicap
2025Hope Road4 Ricardo Santana Jr. Bob Baffert Cicero Farms7 furlongs1:21.93$500,000I [6]
2024 Society 5 Tyler Gaffalione Steven Asmussen Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds7 furlongs1:22.00$500,000I [7]
2023 Echo Zulu 4 Florent Geroux Steven Asmussen L and N Racing & Winchell Thoroughbreds 7 furlongs1:20.95$500,000I [8]
2022 Goodnight Olive 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown First Row Partners & Team Hanley7 furlongs1:21.40$500,000I [9]
2021 Gamine 4 John Velasquez Bob Baffert Micheal Lund Petersen7 furlongs1:21.61$500,000I [10]
Ballerina Stakes
2020Serengeti Empress4 Luis Saez Thomas M. Amoss Joel Politi7 furlongs1:21.63$300,000I [11]
2019Come Dancing5 Javier Castellano Carlos F. MartinBlue Devil Racing Stable7 furlongs1:21.48$480,000I [12]
2018Marley's Freedom4 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Cicero Farms7 furlongs1:21.39$500,000I [13]
2017By the Moon5 Rajiv Maragh Michelle NevinJay Em Ess Stable7 furlongs1:22.97$500,000I [14]
2016Haveyougoneaway5 John R. Velazquez Thomas Morley Gary Barber & Sequel Racing7 furlongs1:21.63$500,000I [15]
2015Unbridled Forever4 John R. Velazquez Dallas Stewart Charles E. Fipke 7 furlongs1:22.54$500,000I [16]
2014Artemis Agrotera3 Rajiv Maragh Michael E. Hushion Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman7 furlongs1:21.89$500,000I [17]
2013Dance to Bristol4Xavier PerezOllie L. Figgins IIISusan H. Wantz7 furlongs1:23.11$500,000I [18]
2012 Turbulent Descent 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Michael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith7 furlongs1:22.13$500,000I [19]
2011Hilda's Passion4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Starlight Racing7 furlongs1:22.06$250,000I [20]
2010Rightly So4 Cornelio Velásquez Anthony W. Dutrow Zayat Stables 7 furlongs1:22.58$250,000I [21]
2009 Music Note 4 Rajiv Maragh Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Stables 7 furlongs1:22.10$294,000I [22]
2008Intangaroo4Alonso QuinonezGary SherlockTom Grether Farms7 furlongs1:22.18$239,333I [23]
2007 Maryfield 6 Elvis Trujillo Doug F. O'Neill Mark Gorman, Nick J. Mestrandrea & Jim Perry7 furlongs1:22.78$250,000I [24]
2006Dubai Escapade4 Edgar S. Prado Eoin G. Harty Darley Stable 7 furlongs1:23.07$240,000I [25]
2005Happy Ticket4 John R. Velazquez Andrew Leggio Jr.Stewart Mather Madison7 furlongs1:24.53$250,000I [26]
Ballerina Handicap
2004Lady Tak4 Jerry D. Bailey Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable7 furlongs1:21.09$250,000I [27]
2003Harmony Lodge5 Richard Migliore Todd A. Pletcher Eugene & Laura Melnyk 7 furlongs1:22.23$250,000I [28]
2002Shine Again5 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 7 furlongs1:22.26$250,000I [29]
2001Shine Again4 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 7 furlongs1:22.33$250,000I [30]
2000Dream Supreme3 Pat Day William I. Mott Kinsman Stable 7 furlongs1:22.97$250,000I [31]
1999Furlough5 Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Phipps 7 furlongs1:23.04$200,000I [32]
1998Stop Traffic5 Shane Sellers Richard E. Mandella Diamond A Racing7 furlongs1:22.23$200,000I [33]
1997Pearl City3 Joe Bravo D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 7 furlongs1:22.39$150,000I [34]
1996Chaposa Springs4 Shane Sellers Martin D. Wolfson Suresh Chintamaneni7 furlongs1:21.80$150,000I [35]
1995Classy Mirage5 Julie Krone H. Allen Jerkens Middletown Stable7 furlongs1:22.40$150,000I [36]
1994§ Roamin Rachel4 Pat Day Claude R. McGaughey III Tri Honors Stable7 furlongs1:21.80$108,400I [37]
Ballerina Stakes
1993Spinning Round4 Jorge F. Chavez Carl J. Domino Kinsman Stable 7 furlongs1:21.40$115,200I [38]
1992Serape4 Chris Antley Henrietta Alexander GeorgeHelen K. Groves7 furlongs1:21.20$118,600I [39]
1991Queena5 Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Emory A. Hamilton7 furlongs1:22.00$120,400I [40]
1990§ Feel The Beat5 José A. Santos D. Wayne Lukas H. Joseph Allen 7 furlongs1:22.00$119,800I [41]
1989Proper Evidence4 Chris Antley John L. DaltonHarry A. Gampel7 furlongs1:23.20$121,800I [42]
1988Cadillacing4 Ángel Cordero Jr. Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Mills Phipps 7 furlongs1:21.60$115,000I [43]
1987I'm Sweets4 Eddie Maple Woodford C. Stephens Brushwood Stable7 furlongs1:22.60$114,600II [44]
1986Gene's Lady5 Randy Romero D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 7 furlongs1:22.40$113,200II [45]
1985§ Lady's Secret 3 Donald MacBeth D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 7 furlongs1:22.60$90,300II [46]
1984Lass Trump4 Pat Day Claude R. McGaughey III Alan Samford7 furlongs1:21.80$86,400II [47]
1983 Ambassador of Luck 4Antonio GraellMitchell C. PregerEnvoy Stable7 furlongs1:22.20$54,400III [48]
1982Expressive Dance4 Donald MacBeth Stanley M. Hough Diana M. Firestone 7 furlongs1:22.80$58,600III [49]
1981 Love Sign 4 Ruben Hernandez Sidney J. Watters Jr. Stephen C. Clark Jr.7 furlongs1:22.60$54,000III [50]
1980 Davona Dale 4 Jorge Velásquez John M. Veitch Calumet Farm 7 furlongs1:22.20$56,330Listed [51]
1979Blitey3 Ángel Cordero Jr. Angel Penna Sr. Ogden Phipps 7 furlongs1:23.20$42,750Listed [1]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

  1. 1 2 "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 esorts World Casino Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 11)". Equibase. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "2024 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "2023 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 10)" (PDF). Equibase. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "2022 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "2021 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  11. ↑ "2020 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  12. ↑ "2019 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 6)". Equibase. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  13. ↑ "2018 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  14. ↑ "2017 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  15. ↑ "2016 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  16. ↑ "2015 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7)". Equibase. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  17. ↑ "2014 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 11)". Equibase. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  18. ↑ "2013 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  19. ↑ "2012 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "2011 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  21. ↑ "2010 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  22. ↑ "2009 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  23. ↑ "2008 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  24. ↑ "2007 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  25. ↑ "2006 Ballerina Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 August 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  26. ↑ "2005 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  27. ↑ "2004 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 August 2004. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  28. ↑ "2003 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  29. ↑ "2002 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 August 2002. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  30. ↑ "2001 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2001. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  31. ↑ "2000 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 20 August 2000. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  32. ↑ "1999 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 August 1999. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  33. ↑ "1998 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 1998. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  34. ↑ "1997 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 August 1997. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  35. ↑ "1996 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 18 August 1996. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  36. ↑ "1995 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 13 August 1995. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  37. ↑ "1994 Ballerina Handicap Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 19 August 1994. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  38. ↑ "1993 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 August 1993. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  39. ↑ "1992 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 August 1992. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  40. ↑ "1991 Ballerina Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 August 1991. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ 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.
  43. ↑ 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.
  44. ↑ 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.
  45. ↑ 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.
  46. ↑ "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.
  47. ↑ "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.
  48. ↑ "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.
  49. ↑ "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.
  50. ↑ "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.
  51. ↑ 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.
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