| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
| Inaugurated | 2014 (as Diablo Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and older |
| Weight | 124 lbs. with allowances |
| Purse | US$175,000 (since 2023) |
The Runhappy Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four years old or older at a distance of six furlongs on the dirt run annually in early May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $175,000.
The event was inaugurated on 14 May 2014 as the Diablo Stakes and was won by the favorite Sensational Slam who defeated four other runners over 6 furlongs (Approx. 1.2km) in a time of 1:09.07. [1] The event was marred by the disqualification of the second place finisher Green Grotto who was placed third and Royal Currier installed in second for interference 1⁄8 mile from the finishing post. [2] The event was named after the versatile sprinter Diablo who won the 1991 Grade II True North Handicap and the 1992 Grade III Finger Lakes Budweiser Breeders' Cup. [3]
In 2018 the event was renamed to the Runhappy Stakes in honor of the 2015 US Champion Sprint Horse Runhappy . [4]
The event was upgraded to Grade III in 2020 [5] but was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Belmont Park ran a shortened meeting and the event was cancelled in favor of the rescheduled Carter Handicap being moved from Aqueduct Racetrack. [6]
In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park. [7]
Speed record:
Margins:
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Aqueduct –Runhappy Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Joey Freshwater | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Linda L. Rice | Winning Move Stable | 1:09.41 | $169,750 | III | [8] | |
| At Belmont Park | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Candy Man Rocket | 5 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc. | 1:09.33 | $175,000 | III | [9] | |
| 2022 | Drafted | 8 | José Ortiz | David P. Duggan | Dublin Fjord Stables, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert, & Thom O'Keefe | 1:10.84 | $139,500 | III | [10] | |
| 2021 | Firenze Fire | 6 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Kelly Breen | Mr. Amore Stable | 1:09.76 | $145,500 | III | [11] | |
| 2020 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 2019 | Firenze Fire | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Jason Servis | Mr. Amore Stable | 1:08.12 | $150,000 | Listed | [12] | |
| 2018 | Westwood | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Godolphin | 1:09.45 | $147,000 | Listed | [13] | |
| Diablo Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2017 | Stallwalkin' Dude | 7 | Joe Bravo | David Jacobson | David Jacobson & Head of Plains Partners | 1:10.16 | $100,000 | Listed | [14] | |
| 2016 | Joking | 7 | Manuel Franco | Charlton Baker | Charlton Baker | 1:09.44 | $100,000 | Listed | [15] | |
| 2015 | Stallwalkin' Dude | 5 | Angel Cruz | David Jacobson | David Jacobson | 1:09.48 | $98,000 | [16] | ||
| 2014 | Sensational Slam | 6 | Cornelio Velasquez | Patrick Quick | Paradise Farms | 1:09.07 | $98,000 | [1] | ||