Governor's Cup Stakes

Last updated
Governor's Cup Stakes
Location Toronto, Ontario &
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Inaugurated1985
Race type Harness race for standardbred pacers
Website Woodbine Entertainment Group
Race information
Distance1 mile
(1,609 metres or 8 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt:
Woodbine 7/8 mile oval
Meadowlands 1 mile oval
Track Woodbine Racetrack or Meadowlands Racetrack
Qualification2 year olds, open
Purse$565,000 (2016)

The Governor's Cup Stakes is an American harness racing event run annually for two-year-old standardbred pacers at a distance of one mile. First run in 1985 as a fixed event at Garden State Park, that track closed on May 3, 2001 and the Governor's Cup would then be run at various race venues in the U.S. Northeast and in Ontario, Canada. Since 2013 the race has been part of the 'Fall Four' stakes and has been alternated between Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey and Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. [1]

Contents

Historical race events

In a 2011 Hambletonian Society, Inc. article on trainer Ray Schnittker, in referring to the 2009 Governor's Cup winner One More Laugh, author Jay Bergman wrote: "His [One More Laugh] victory in the Governor’s Cup at Harrah's Chester at two may go down as the greatest single effort by a two-year-old in the sports history." [2]

At Woodbine Racetrack, 2010 winner Big Jim, a $35,000 yearling purchase who would go on to career earnings of $1,541,924, set a then world record time of 1:49 1/5 for two-year-old pacers. [3] [4] Through 2015 his time is still the Governor's Cup stakes record.

Locations

Records

Most wins by a driver
Most wins by a trainer
Stakes record

Winners of the Governor's Cup Stakes

[5]

Year
Winner
Driver
Trainer
Owner
Time
Purse
Track
2016Downbytheseaside David Miller Brian BrownCountry Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo1:51 1/5$520,000Wdb
2015Boston Red Rocks Tim Tetrick Steve ElliotPeter Blood, Rick Berks1:50 3/5$413,000Mmx
2014 Artspeak Scott Zeron Tony Alagna Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners1:50 4/5$565,000Wdb
2013 JK Endofanera Brian Sears Ron Burke 3 Brothers Stables1:51 4/5$534,500Mmx
2011 A Rocknroll Dance Yannick Gingras Jim MulinixJim Mulinix, Denny Miller, Jerry Silva, Theresa Silva1:51 0/0$510,000Chst
2010 Big Jim Phil HudonJames DeanJames Carr1:49 1/5$709,000Wdb
2009 One More Laugh Tim Tetrick Ray Schnittker Ray Schnittker, Mathias Meinzinger, Jerry Silva1:49 2/5$600,000Chst
2008NebupanezzarSteve Condren Robert McIntosh Peter Pan Stables Inc. (Robert Glazer)1:51 2/5$820,000Wdb
2007Santanna Blue ChipJody JamiesonCarl R. JamiesonC. R. Jamieson, 140545 Ontario Ltd., Jeffrey R. Gillis, George Arthur Stable1:53 1/5$731,700Wdb
2006Sutter HanoverDavid MillerMark HarderDeena Frost, Sampson Street Stable, Fox Hollow Farm, TLP Stable1:52 0/0$450,000Mmx
2005Jereme's JetPaul MacDonellThomas HarmerGenesis Racing Stable (Jolene Leahy )1:53 3/5$593,032Wdb
2004Syncro's Z TamPatrick LachancePatrick LachanceMJGB Racing Stable1:53 1/5$237,400Mmx
2003I Am A Fool Ronald Pierce Brett Pelling Perfect World Enterprises1:54 1/5$652,898Moh
2002Allamerican Native John Campbell Mark CaponeDavid Scharf, A&G Stables, Jerry Silva1:53 1/5$520,000Mmx
2001 Western Shooter John CampbellRobert McIntoshRobert McIntosh, CSX Stables, Michael Koehler Walnut Hall Ltd'1:50 0/0$500,000Mmx
2000 Bettor's Delight Eric LedfordScott McEnenyJohn B. Grant1:52 2/5$545,300GSP
1999TyberwoodRichard SilvermanGary MachizLeon Machiz1:51 4/5$572,400GSP
1998Island Fantasy Michel Lachance Robert McIntoshRobert Waxman1:52 0/0$600,000GSP
1997Sealed N DeliveredRonald PierceChristopher RyderSampson Street Stables1:52 2/5$590,600GSP
1996The Big DogJoe AndersonJoe AndersonJohn J. Leahy & Jayne Cummins1:51 3/5$612,600GSP
1995Live or DieSteve CondrenRobert McIntosh1:54 2/5$600,000GSP
1994CA ConnectionJoe AndersonKevin Thomas1:54 1/5$616,400GSP
1993 Magical Mike John Campbell Tommy Haughton Shadow Lne Farm1:54 3/5$550,000GSP
1992 Life Sign John Campbell Gene Riegle George Segal 1:53 1/5$537,800GSP
1991 Western Hanover Bill FahyGene RiegleGeorge Segal1:52 1/5$584,300GSP
1990 Artsplace John CampbellGene RiegleGeorge Segal, Brian Monieson1:53 0/0$655,600GSP
1989 In The Pocket John CampbellDr. Ken SeeberLPG Standardbreds Inc.1:54 2/5$681,100GSP
1988How Bout ItTommy HaughtonTommy Haughton1:54 3/5$705,100GSP
1987No Race-No RaceNo RaceNo Race0:00 0/0----
1986Redskin Bill O'Donnell Jerry SmithJerry Smith1:55 0/0$1,513,500GSP
1985 Barberry Spur Bill O'Donnell Richard Stillings Roy D. Davis & Barberry Farms1:54 1/5$1,257,500GSP

Related Research Articles

The North America Cup is an annual harness racing event for 3-year-old standardbred pacing horses which is held at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ontario, Canada. The race replaced the Queen City Pace run from 1964 to 1983. From 1984 to 1993, the North America Cup was held at Greenwood Raceway and from 1994 to 2006, the North America Cup was held at Woodbine Entertainment Group's other harness racing venue, Woodbine Racetrack. It is the richest harness race in North America at $1,000,000.

The Cane Pace is a harness horse race for standardbred pacers run annually since 1955. The race was first run as the William H. Cane Futurity in 1955 at Yonkers Raceway in New York. In 1956 the race joined with the Little Brown Jug and the Messenger Stakes to become the first leg in the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meadowlands Racetrack</span>

The Meadowlands Racetrack is a horse racing track at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. The track hosts both thoroughbred racing and harness racing. It is known popularly in the region as "The Big M". Meadowlands has year-round horse racing as well as a number of bars and restaurants.

The Breeders Crown is an annual series of Harness races in the United States and Canada covering each of the sport's twelve traditional categories of age, gait and gender. The series was initiated by the Hambletonian Society, promoters of the Hambletonian Stakes, in 1984 to enhance the Standardbred breeding industry and to promote the sport of Harness racing by providing a lucrative high-profile championship race in each of these categories. The annual races for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings and 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings, are each part of the Grand Slam Prize in harness racing.

Raymond W. "Ray" Schnittker is a driver, trainer and owner of Standardbred harness racing horses who is also a Director of the United States Trotting Association His successful horses includes Hambletonian Stakes winner Deweycheatumnhowe.

The William R. Haughton Memorial Pace is a mile and one-eighth race for Standardbred Free-For-All pacers age four and older run annually at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Breeders Crown Open Pace is a harness racing event for Standardbred pacers. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred pacers and trotters. The Open Pace for horses age four and older was first run in 1985. It is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders Crown Open Trot is a harness racing event for Standardbred trotters. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and Pacers. The Open Trot for horses age four and older was first run in 1985. It is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders 3yo Colt & Gelding Trot is a harness racing event for Standardbred trotters. It is one part of an annual Breeders Crown series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and Pacers. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders Crown 3YO Colt & Gelding Pace is a harness racing event for three-year-old Standardbred pacers. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and trotters. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders Crown 3YO Filly Pace is a harness racing event for three-year-old Standardbred fillies pacers. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and trotters. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race was held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace is a harness racing event for four-year-old and older Standardbred mare pacers. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and trotters. First run in 1986, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders 2YO Colt & Gelding Pace is a harness racing event for two-year-old Standardbred male pacers. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred pacers and trotters. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Pace is a harness racing event for two-year-old Standardbred fillies pacers. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and trotters. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Hambletonian Oaks is a premier harness racing event for three-year-old Standardbred female trotters first run in 1971. The race is operated by The Hambletonian Society, Inc. which also operates the Hambletonian Stakes for three-year-old for male horses and the Breeders Crown series.

The Breeders Crown 3YO Filly Trot is a harness racing event for two-year-old Standardbred female trotters. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and pacers. First run in 1984, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders 2YO Colt & Gelding Trot is a harness racing event for two-year-old Standardbred male trotters. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and pacers. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders 2YO Filly Trot is a harness racing event for two-year-old Standardbred female trotters. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and pacers. First run in 1985, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Breeders Crown Open Mare Trot is a harness racing event for three-year-old and older Standardbred mare trotters. It is one part of the Breeders Crown annual series of twelve races for both Standardbred trotters and pacers. First run in 1986, it is contested over a distance of one mile. Race organizers have awarded the event to various racetracks across North America. The 2017 race will be held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana, United States.

The Maple Leaf Trot is a harness race for Standardbred trotters three years of age and older. It is run at a distance of one mile at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ontario.

References