Fall Highweight Handicap

Last updated
Fall Highweight Handicap
Grade III race
Location Aqueduct Racetrack
Queens, New York
United States
Inaugurated1914
Race typeThoroughbred, Flat racing
Website www.nyra.com/index_aqueduct.html
Race information
Distance6 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree years old & up
WeightHandicap
Purse$200,000 (2021)

The Fall Highweight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Currently run at a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 m), it is open to horses three years of age and older under handicap conditions. The race was given its current Grade III status in 2009 by the American Graded Stakes Committee. [1]

Contents

As the name implies, the race is known for the unusually high handicap weights assigned to each of the horses. In the past the top-weighted horse was assigned a minimum of 140 pounds (63.5 kg). Although the 140 pound rule is no longer in place, horses still carry more weight than they normally would. The highweight in the 2015 renewal, for example, carried 134 pounds. [2]

Run at Belmont Park from its inception in 1914 to 1959 and again from 1963 to 1993, the Fall Highweight was open to horses of any age until 1959 when it was changed to its present format. It was raced on a straight course prior to 1921, from 1926 to 1939, and again from 1942 to 1957. A large field resulted in the 1976 edition being run in two divisions.

The inaugural running of the Fall Highweight in 1914 was a remarkable victory for Comely who was not only a filly that defeated male rivals, but the only two-year-old to ever win the race.

Records

Speed record:

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwner
Dist.
(Furlongs)
TimeWin $ Gr.
2022Greeley and Ben8 Manuel Franco Faith WilsonDarryl E. Abramowitz6 f1:11.95$175,000G3
2021Hopeful Treasure4Mychel SanchezMichael Catalano Jr.Just In Time Racing6 f1:11.19$110,000G3
2020Share The Ride5 José Ortiz Antonio Arriaga Dixiana Farms LLC (William & Donna Shively)6 f1:10.62$100,000G3
2019Happy Farm5Jorge A. Vargas Jr. Jason Servis M and A Racing Ltd.6 f1:11.91$115,500G3
2018Life in Shambles7 Irad Ortiz Jr. Jason Servis Ara Aprahamian6 f1:12.07$115,500G3
2017Stallwalkin' Dude7 Joel Rosario David JacobsonDavid Jacobson & Head of Plains Partners (Sol Kumin)6 f1:11.11$120,000G3
2016Heaven's Runway6 Junior Alvarado Rudy R. Rodriguez Michael Dubb & Michael Imperio6 f1:10.19$120,000G3
2015Green Gratto5 Kendrick Carmouche Gaston GrantGaston & Anthony Grant6 f1:09.95$120,000G3
2014Salutos Amigos4 Cornelio Velásquez David Jacobson David Jacobson & Southern Equine Stable LLC (Mike Moreno)6 f1:10.78$180,000G3
2013Palace4 Cornelio Velásquez Linda L. RiceAntonino Miuccio6 f1:09.82$180,000G3
2012 Caixa Eletronica 7 Javier Castellano Todd Pletcher Mike Repole 6 f1:08.69$90,000G3
2011Sunrise Smarty4 Ramon Domínguez Michael Hushion West Point Thoroughbreds, Donald Brooks, Nick Cammarano6 f1:09.97$60,000G3
2010Endless Circle6 Edgar Prado Rudy R. Rodriguez Vincent S. Scuderi & James A. Riccio6 f1:09.79$60,000G3
2009Cherokee Country5 Jose Lezcano Ramon PreciadoVictory Thoroughbreds LLC (Lou Cacchio)6 f1:09.29$66,000G3
2008Fabulous Strike5 Ramon Domínguez Todd BeattieWalter Downey6 f1:09.02$66,720
2007Grand Champion4 Eibar Coa James A. Jerkens Susan & John Moore6 f1:09.90$65,520
2006Afrashad4 Richard Migliore Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing 6 f1:11.05$64,980
2005Attila's Storm3 Pablo Morales Richard Schosberg Barry K. Schwartz 6 f1:09.30$67,500
2004Thunder Touch3 Rafael Bejarano Kiaran McLaughlin Stronach Stables 6 f1:09.83$66,960
2003Bossanova3 Edgar Prado H. James Bond Lorraine & Rod Rodriguez6 f1:10.06$64,980
2002True Direction3 Javier Castellano Carlos MoralesMorton & Marisol Binn6 f1:09.62$66,960
2001Yonaguska3 José A. Santos D. Wayne Lukas Michael Tabor 6 f1:09.60$67,320
2000Kashatreya6 Octavio Vergara John O. Hertler Seymour Cohn6 f1:11.03$67,140
1999Richter Scale5 Jorge Chavez Mary Jo LohmeierNancy & Richard Kaster6 f1:09.05$66,060
1998Punch Line8 Jorge Chavez William H. Turner Jr. Althea D. Richards6 f1:10.07$66,840
1997 Royal Haven 5 Richard Migliore Gasper Moschera Barbara Davis 6 f1:10.68$65,820
1996Victor Avenue3 Jorge Chavez Dale Romans Greg James6 f1:09.24$67,440
1995Jess C's Whirl5 Jorge Chavez John H. Forbes Ted & Larry Oleck6 f1:09.87$66,180
1994Chimes Band3 Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Fares Farms (Issam Michael Fares)6 f1:11.37$65,940
1993 Fly So Free 5 Jerry D. Bailey Flint S. Schulhofer Tommy Valando 6 f1:09.41$72,360
1992Salt Lake3 Mike E. Smith D. Wayne Lukas William T. Young 6 f1:09.07$68,520
1991Senor Speedy4 Jorge Chavez Alfredo CallejasRobert Perez6 f1:08.62$70,920
1990Carson City3 Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas William T. Young 6 f1:09.80$51,030
1989Sewickley4 Randy Romero Flint S. Schulhofer Robert S. Evans 6 f1:09.60$68,880
1988Parlay Me3 Randy Romero James E. Picou Marshall E. Sigel6 f1:09.60$69,000
1987Purple Mountain5 Richard Migliore Woodrow Sedlacek Jacques Wimpfheimer6 f1:08.80$85,500
1986Funistrada3 Robbie Davis Jan H. Nerud John A. Nerud 6 f1:09.40$68,640
1985 Mt. Livermore 4 Jorge Velásquez D. Wayne Lukas Lloyd R. French Jr.6 f1:10.60$89,460
1984Mamaison4 Chris McCarron Richard Mandella Harold P. Oliver6 f1:10.20$77,040
1983Chas Conerly3 Jimmy Miranda H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 6 f1:10.40$50,670
1982Gold Beauty3 Don Brumfield William D. CurtisGeorgia E. Hoffman6 f1:09.20$50,940
1981Piedmont Pete5 Kenny Black Ron AlfanoMel Hewitt6 f1:10.40$50,490
1980King's Fashion5 Jean-Luc Samyn H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 6 f1:10.60$51,120
1979Whatsyourpleasure6 Ángel Cordero Jr. John W. Russell Murty Farm (Duane & Wayne Murty)6 f1:09.60$49,095
1978 What A Summer 5 Ángel Cordero Jr. LeRoy Jolley Diana M. Firestone 6 f1:09.40$48,195
1977 What A Summer 4 Jacinto Vásquez LeRoy Jolley Diana M. Firestone 6 f1:10.00$50,490
1976-1Relent5 Ruben Hernandez Sidney Watters Jr. Stephen C. Clark6 f1:09.80$39,105
1976-2 Honorable Miss 6 Bill Shoemaker Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. Pen-Y-Bryn Farm 6 f1:10.00$39,780
1975 Honorable Miss 5 Jacinto Vásquez Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. Pen-Y-Bryn Farm 6 f1:09.80$54,720
1974Piamem4 Miguel A. Rivera Lazaro S. Barrera Miguel Alfonzo6 f1:10.40$22,575
1973 King's Bishop 4 Eddie Maple H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 6 f1:09.40$17,310
1972Chou Croute4 John L. Rotz Robert G. DunhamEmmanuel Victor Benjamin III6 f1:10.00$17,340
1971Shut Eye5 Ángel Cordero Jr. Jack M. BradleyKev-Hill Stable6 f1:10.80$20,280
1970 Ta Wee 4 John L. Rotz Flint S. Schulhofer Tartan Stable 6 f1:10.40$18,395
1969 Ta Wee 3 John L. Rotz Flint S. Schulhofer Tartan Stable 6 f1:10.20$18,622
1968More Scents4 Ángel Cordero Jr. Philip G. Johnson Meadowhill (Morton Rosenthal & Alfred Green)6 f1:11.80$18,460
1967Indulto4 John L. Rotz Max Hirsch Jane Greer 6 f1:12.60$18,200
1966Impressive III3 Kenneth Knapp Edward A. Neloy Little M Farm (syndicate, John R. Murrell, manager)6 f1:10.40$18,752
1965Pack Trip5 Manuel Ycaza John A. Nerud Joseph M. Roebling 6 f1:13.80$18,167
1964Delta Judge4 John L. Rotz Clyde Troutt Ada L. Rice 6 f1:10.60$18,005
1963Accordant3 Paul Kallai Joseph KulinaColonial Farm (John & Sam Fieramosca)6 f1:10.20$14,788
1962Be On Time3 Pete D. Anderson Eddie Hayward Circle M Farm (Edward S. Moore)6 f1:09.40$18,752
1961Smashing Gail3 Bobby Ussery Nicholas CombestEdith Baily Dent6 f1:10.00$18,655
1960Four Lane3 Sam Boulmetis Sr. Thomas M. WallerWilliam Ewing6 f1:09.00$18,192
1959Mystic II5Michael A. Sorrentino Morris H. Dixon C. Mahlon Kline6 f1:11.00$18,095
1958Bull Strength4 Eddie Arcaro Jack J. Carrara Brookfield Farm 6 f1:10.00$19,135
1957Itobe4 Eldon Nelson Edward I. Kelly Sr. Brookfield Farm6 f1:09.40$20,600
1956Impromptu4 Conn McCreary Edward I. Kelly Sr.Brookfield Farm6 f1:09.00$21,550
1955 Sailor II 3 Hedley Woodhouse Preston M. Burch Brookmeade Stable 6 f1:10.00$17,050
1954 Pet Bully 6 Bill Hartack Thomas Joseph Kelly Ada L. Rice 6 f1:11.20$17,800
1953Kaster4Augustine CatalanoMorris H. DixonC. Mahlon Kline6 f1:09.80$16,600
1952Hitex3Eddie Arcaro James P. Conway Florence D. Whitaker 6 f1:08.40$17,300
1951Guillotine4 Ted Atkinson John M. Gaver Sr. Greentree Stable 6 f1:09.00$18,700
1950 Arise 4 Douglas Dodson James C. Bentley Addison Stable (Harry Addison, Sr. & Mrs. Jack Addison)6 f1:08.80$17,800
1949 Royal Governor 5 Eric Guerin James E. Ryan Esther D. du Pont 6 f1:12.00$17,150
1948 First Flight 4 Eddie Arcaro Sylvester E. Veitch C. V. Whitney 6 f1:08.60$22,650
1947Rippey4 Ovie Scurlock Willie Booth William G. Helis Sr. 6 f1:10.80$21,300
1946Cassis7 Basil James Preston M. BurchW. Deering Howe6 f1:08.80$16,750
1945 True North 5Ted AtkinsonPreston M. BurchHowe Stable (W. Deering Howe)6 f1:08.80$7,370
1944Ariel Lad5Eddie Arcaro J. Thomas Taylor Selznick Stable 6 f1:08.40$7,285
1943Cassis4Ted AtkinsonPreston M. BurchHowe Stable (W. Deering Howe)6 f1:11.20$6,725
1942 Imperatrice 4Conn McCreary George M. Odom William H. La Boyteaux6 f1:10.20$5,925
1941 Roman 4 Don Meade Peter W. Coyne Joseph E. Widener 6 f1:10.00$4,500
1940T. M. Dorsett4 Raymond Workman John B. Theall Joe W. Brown 6 f1:11.40$4,500
1939Rough Time5Fred Faust J. Yancy Christmas J. Yancy Christmas6 f1:09.40$6,100
1938The Fighter5Raymond Workman Edward L. Snyder William F. Morgan6 f1:10.00$4,750
1937Preeminent5Eddie Arcaro Duval A. Headley Hal Price Headley 6 f1:10.80$2,975
1936 Miss Merriment 5Raymond WorkmanJ. P. "Sammy" SmithVictor Emanuel6 f1:09.60$3,200
1935Sation5Jim Hunter Winbert F. Mulholland George D. Widener Jr. 6 f1:10.20$3,075
1934Miss Merriment3 Earl Steffen J. P. "Sammy" SmithDorwood Stable (Victor Emanuel)6 f1:10.40$2,750
1933Microphone4 Silvio Coucci Phillip M. WalkerSage Stable (Harry W. Sage)6 f1:11.00$1,845
1932Larranga3Raymond WorkmanEdward J. BennettAnall Stable (Allan A. Ryan)6 f1:10.40$2,450
1931Mr. Sponge4 Mack Garner Henry E. McDaniel Joseph E. Widener6 f1:11.60$3,025
1930Balko5 John Bejshak Joseph H. Stotler Sagamore Stable (Margaret Emerson)6 f1:09.40$3,375
1929Osmand5 Willie Garner Peter W. CoyneJoseph E. Widener6 f1:10.60$3,600
1928Finite3Frank S. Moon A. Jack Joyner George D. Widener Jr.6 f1:12.60$3,700
1927 Happy Argo 4Steve O'Donnell Max Hirsch Kershaw Stable (Bernard M. Baruch)6 f1:11.20$4,050
1926Powhatan3 John Maiben Thomas J. Healey Walter J. Salmon Sr. 6 f1:12.00$3,800
1925Superlette3 Laverne Fator Sam Hildreth Rancocas Stable 6 f1:12.40$3,400
1924Worthmore3Steve O'Donnell John S. Ward John S. Ward 6 f1:11.60$4,225
1923Fair Phantom4 Earl Sande C. Kay Spence Audley Farm 6 f1:10.40$3,275
1922 Careful 4 James Butwell Thomas J. HealeyWalter J. Salmon Sr.6 f1:12.60$3,300
1921Crocus3 Frank Coltiletti James G. Rowe Sr. Harry Payne Whitney 6 f1:11.40$2,725
1920Lion d'Or4Earl Sande H. Guy Bedwell J. K. L. Ross 6 f1:09.80$3,100
1919 Naturalist 5 Charles Fairbrother Thomas Welsh Joseph E. Widener6 f1:11.60$2,900
1918Hollister *4 Johnny Loftus Walter B. Jennings A. Kingsley Macomber 6 f1:10.00$2,100
1917Ima Frank4 John McTaggart George ZieglerBeverwyck Stable (Frank J. Nolan)6 f1:11.80$1,410
1916Mont d'Or5 Joe Notter Thomas WelshL. Wood6 f1:13.20$1,230
1915Harmonicon5Joe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr. Lewis S. Thompson 6 f1:10.80$1,195
1914 Comely 2 Joe McCahey Richard C. Benson James Butler 6 f1:12.00$1,275
* In 1918, Fairy Wand finished first, but was disqualified.

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References

  1. Seven Additional Graded Stakes in 2009
  2. Johnson, J. Keeler. "Will Holiday Star Shine on Thanksgiving Day?". cs.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  3. "Ariel Lad Wins Highweight 'Cap". New York Daily News, page 306. 1944-09-19. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  4. "Eddie Arcaro Sets New High For Earnings". Sherbrooke Daily Record, page Thirteen. 1952-09-16. Retrieved 2021-05-05.