| Listed race | |
| Location | Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1940 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA [1] |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1-1/8 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies & Mares, 4-years-old & up |
| Weight | 123 lbs. with allowances |
| Purse | $100,000 (2021) |
The Top Flight Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. A Listed race, it is open to fillies and mares, age three and older. The event is contested over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on dirt and currently offers a purse of $100,000.
The Top Flight Handicap was run at Belmont Park prior to 1961 and again in 1993. [1]
The race is named for Top Flight, ranked in the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century at #66. Top Flight was never beaten by a member of her own sex. [2]
Poker Night, the lone three-year-old in a field of seven, won the 1973 race by four lengths and bettered the stakes record time stakes two‐fifths of a second while running on a wet track officially rated only as good. [3]
Speed record: (at current distance of 1 mile)
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Win $ | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Falconet | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Todd A. Pletcher | China Horse Club & WinStar Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.42 | $55,000 | Listed |
| 2022 | Exotic West | 4 | Javier Castellano | Gary Sciacca | Louis Lazzinnaro | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.13 | $55,000 | Listed |
| 2021 | Horologist | 5 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | There's a Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farm Corp. & David Staudacher | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.14 | $55,000 | Listed |
| 2020 | Race not held due to COVID-19 | ||||||||
| 2019 | Another Broad | 4 | Manuel Franco | Todd A. Pletcher | Madaket Stables LLC, Elayne Stables, Brian Martin | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.99 | $110,000 | Listed |
| 2018 | Blue Prize | 4 | José Ortiz | Ignacio Correas IV | Merriebelle Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.48 | $120,000 | Listed |
| 2017 | Mo' Green | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | John Servis | Leonard C. Green | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.79 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2016 | Carrumba | 4 | José Ortiz | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.26 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2015 | House Rules | 4 | Junior Alvarado | James A. Jerkens | Joseph V. Shields Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.41 | $120,000 | G3 |
| 2014 | Teen Pauline | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Stonestreet Stables | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.04 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2013 | Summer Applause | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Chad C. Brown | Gillian S.Campbell, Greenwood Lodge Farm, Dan Clark, Greg Skoda | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.10 | $120,000 | G2 |
| 2012 | It's Tricky | 4 | Ramon Domínguez | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.30 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2011 | Race not held | ||||||||
| 2010 | Spacy Tracy | 5 | Jeremy Rose | Anthony W. Dutrow | Mercedes Stable | 1 m | 1:35.28 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2008 | Leah's Secret | 5 | Eibar Coa | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm | 1 m | 1:36.40 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2007 | Mini Sermon | 3 | Eibar Coa | Todd A. Pletcher | Edward P. Evans | 1 m | 1:37.29 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2006 | Rahy's Appeal | 4 | Alan Garcia | James K. Chapman | John & Martha Mullholland | 1 m | 1:36.15 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2005 | Stellar Jayne | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1 m | 1:35.94 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2004 | Daydreaming | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1 m | 1:35.29 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2003 | Randaroo | 3 | Heberto Castillo Jr. | Kiaran McLaughlin | H. Joseph Allen | 1 m | 1:36.49 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2002 | Sightseek | 3 | Jerry Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1 m | 1:35.46 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2001 | Cat Cay | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 1 m | 1:35.45 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 2000 | Reciclada | 5 | Jerry Bailey | Richard Mandella | Diamond A Stable | 1 m | 1:35.54 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1999 | Belle Cherie | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Philip G. Johnson | Belle Meadows Farm | 1 m | 1:35.46 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1998 | Catinca | 3 | Richard Migliore | John C. Kimmel | Robert K. Waxman | 1 m | 1:35.81 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1997 | Dixie Flag | 3 | Mike Luzzi | H. Allen Jerkens | Bohemia Stable | 1 m | 1:35.34 | $90,000 | G2 |
| 1996 | Flat Fleet Feet | 3 | Mike E. Smith | John C. Kimmel | Caesar P. Kimmel & Phillip J. & L. I. Solondz | 1 m | 1:37.00 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1995 | Twist Afleet | 4 | Mike E. Smith | John C. Kimmel | Lucille Conover | 1 m | 1:35.26 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1994 | Educated Risk | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1 m | 1:34.96 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1993 | You'd Be Surprised | 4 | Jerry Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.82 | $90,000 | G1 |
| 1992 | Firm Stance | 4 | Pat Day | Mitch Shirota | Gainesway Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.55 | $120,000 | G1 |
| 1991 | Buy the Firm | 5 | Julie Krone | Carlos F. Martin | Morven Stud Farms | 1-1/8 m | 1:52.20 | $120,000 | G1 |
| 1990 | Dreamy Mimi | 4 | Jerry Bailey | George R. Arnold II | Alex G. Campbell Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $136,800 | G1 |
| 1989 | Banker's Lady | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Philip M. Hauswald | Edward A. Cox Jr. | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.20 | $133,680 | G1 |
| 1988 | Clabber Girl | 4 | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | John A. Nerud | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $141,840 | G1 |
| 1987 | Ms. Eloise | 4 | Robbie Davis | Philip G. Johnson | Margaret Grimm | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $138,480 | G1 |
| 1986 | Ride Sally | 4 | Walter Guerra | Nick Zito | Manhasset Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.20 | $134,640 | G1 |
| 1985 | Flip's Pleasure | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.00 | $101,160 | G1 |
| 1984 | Sweet Missus | 4 | Robert Thibeau | Michael C. Sedlacek | Glenn E. Lane | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $104,040 | G1 |
| 1983 | Adept | 4 | Karen Rogers | Frank I. Wright | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $65,160 | G1 |
| 1982 | Andover Way | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Howard M. Tesher | H. Joseph Allen | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $66,360 | G1 |
| 1981 | Chain Bracelet | 4 | Ruben Hernandez | James W. Maloney | Shirley H. Taylor | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $64,680 | G1 |
| 1980 | Glorious Song | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Gerry Belanger | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $66,360 | G1 |
| 1979 | Waya | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | David A. Whiteley | Peter M. Brant | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.80 | $64,680 | G1 |
| 1978 | Northernette | 4 | Jeffrey Fell | David A. Whiteley | Peter M. Brant | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $48,330 | G1 |
| 1977 | Shawi | 4 | Michael Venezia | Jose A. Martin | Mrs. Randolph Weinsier | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.80 | $48,285 | G1 |
| 1976 | Proud Delta | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Peter M. Howe | Montpelier | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.00 | $49,455 | G1 |
| 1975 | Twixt | 6 | William Passmore | Katherine M. Voss | Mrs. John M. Franklin | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.60 | $33,240 | G1 |
| 1974 | Lady Love | 4 | Eddie Maple | Frank Catrone | Ada L. Rice | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.60 | $33,120 | G1 |
| 1973 | Poker Night | 3 | Robert Woodhouse | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.20 | $33,420 | G1 |
| 1972 | Inca Queen | 4 | Garth Patterson | George T. Poole | Cornelius V. Whitney | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.00 | $33,900 | |
| 1971 | Shuvee | 5 | Ron Turcotte | Willard C. Freeman | Anne Minor Stone | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $32,340 | |
| 1970 | Shuvee | 4 | Braulio Baeza | Willard C. Freeman | Anne Minor Stone | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.60 | $37,375 | |
| 1969 | Amerigo Lady | 5 | Manuel Ycaza | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.40 | $35,620 | |
| 1968 | Amerigo Lady | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.00 | $37,830 | |
| 1967 | Straight Deal | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.60 | $36,075 | |
| 1966 | Summer Scandal | 4 | Garth Patterson | Woods Garth | Harborvale Stable (David O. Volkert) | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.40 | $35,945 | |
| 1965 | Affectionately | 5 | Walter Blum | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/8 m | 1:49.80 | $37,180 | |
| 1964 | Oil Royalty | 6 | Howard Grant | Charles Whittingham | John R. Gaines | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.80 | $37,180 | |
| 1963 | Firm Policy | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | E. Barry Ryan | E. Barry Ryan | 1-1/8 m | 1:48.60 | $35,800 | |
| 1962 | Pepper Patch | 5 | Donald Pierce | Sol Rutchick | Nicholas A. Martini | 1-1/8 m | 1:50.20 | $37,050 | |
| 1961 | Make Sail | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | Woody Stephens | Cain Hoy Stable | 1-1/8 m | 1:51.00 | $35,945 | |
| 1960 | Royal Native | 4 | Bill Hartack | Peter F. Gacicia | William B. MacDonald Jr. | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.00 | $36,385 | |
| 1959 | Big Effort | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | J. Elliott Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $17,575 | |
| 1958 | Plucky Roman | 4 | Howard Grant | Clyde Troutt | Ada L. Rice | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.00 | $17,672 | |
| 1957 | Plotter | 4 | Pete D. Anderson | William Post | Harry La Montagne | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.60 | $19,950 | |
| 1956 | Searching | 4 | Conn McCreary | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $19,400 | |
| 1955 | Parlo | 4 | Eric Guerin | Richard Handlen | Foxcatcher Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:41.80 | $21,700 | |
| 1954 | Sunshine Nell | 6 | Eddie Arcaro | Robert Green | Meyer J. Kaplan | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.40 | $24,750 | |
| 1953 | Marta | 6 | Conn McCreary | Woody Stephens | Woodvale Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $22,350 | |
| 1952 | Renew | 5 | William Boland | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | $16,850 | |
| 1951 | Busanda | 4 | Eric Guerin | Bartholomew Sweeny | Ogden Phipps | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.40 | $12,650 | |
| 1950 | Nell K. | 4 | George Hettinger | John B. Partridge | Spring Hill Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.80 | $12,200 | |
| 1949 | But Why Not | 5 | Dave Gorman | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $11,450 | |
| 1948 | Honeymoon | 5 | Douglas Dodson | Wayne Stucki | W-L Ranch Co. | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $16,950 | |
| 1947 | Rytina | 4 | Ted Atkinson | George P. "Maj" Odom | Carol Averell Harriman Stewart | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $18,550 | |
| 1946 | Sicily | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | William Post | Harry La Montagne | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.20 | $17,400 | |
| 1945 | Miss Keeneland | 4 | Albert Snider | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:45.00 | $7,585 | |
| 1944 | Boojiana | 3 | Ted Atkinson | Andy Schuttinger | C. V. Whitney | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.40 | $8,165 | |
| 1943 | Mar-Kell | 4 | Bill Thompson | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.80 | $4,700 | |
| 1942 | Level Best | 4 | Don Meade | John Porter Jones | Crispin Oglebay | 1-1/16 m | 1:42.80 | $5,325 | |
| 1941 | Tangled | 3 | Conn McCreary | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1-1/16 m | 1:44.60 | $4,800 | |
| 1940 | True Call | 3 | Don Meade | Dion K. Kerr | Mrs. Dion K. Kerr | 1-1/16 m | 1:43.60 | $6,200 | |
The Gazelle Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, New York. It is a Grade III event run over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on dirt that is open to three-year-old fillies. The race was previously run in the Fall at Belmont Park and often used as a stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Distaff. As of 2013, the race is now run in the Spring at Aqueduct, typically on the same day as the Wood Memorial, and is now used as a prep race for the Kentucky Oaks.
The Man o' War Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four-years-old and older. It is run over a distance of one and three-eighth miles on turf and is scheduled annually for early May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The current purse is $700,000.
The John C. Mabee Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race contested in early August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It is run on the turf for fillies and mares, age three or older, at a distance of one and one-eighth miles. Downgraded to a Grade II stakes in 2010, the John C. Mabee Handicap currently offers a purse of $200,000. Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the winner of the 2010 race automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
The Gamely Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the turf run in late May annually at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California.
The Haskell Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt held annually in July at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. The event is a signature event at Monmouth Park during their summer racing season and a major race for three-year-olds in between the U.S. Triple Crown series and the Breeders' Cup. The event currently offers a purse of US$1,000,000 and awards one of the most prestigious trophies in U.S. thoroughbred racing in the Haskell Trophy.
The United Nations Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older run over a distance of one and three-eighth miles on the turf held annually in July at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. The event currently offers a purse of $600,000.
The Long Island Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in November at Aqueduct Racetrack, in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The race is for fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race the one and one-half miles on the turf.
The Red Smith Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. A race on turf open to horses age three and older, it is typically run in November over a distance of 1+3⁄8 miles.
The Bowling Green Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age four years old and older over a distance of 1+3⁄8 miles on the turf held annually in late July at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The E. P. Taylor Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares held annually since 1956 in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is run on the E. P. Taylor turf course at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles.
The Display Handicap was an American long distance Thoroughbred horse race held annually from 1955 through 1990. A race for 3-year-olds and up, it was run at the Jamaica Race Course from inception through 1958 at a distance of 21⁄16 miles. In 1959 the race was moved permanently to the newly renovated Aqueduct Racetrack after which the Jamaica track was closed and the property sold to real estate developers. From 1959 through 1969 it was contested at 2 miles then its final two decades was run at a distance of 2+1⁄4 miles. The Display Handicap was traditionally held on the last day of racing in New York City for that calendar year. It began ending the season on December 31, 1976, when year-round racing was introduced in New York.
The Arlington Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four years old over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf held annually in late May or early June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The Lexington Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run between 1961 and 2007. A race on turf, the event was run at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York from inception through 1976 after which it was moved permanently to Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The Northern Dancer Turf Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario in mid-September. A Grade I event with a current purse of Can$300,000, it is run at a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles on Woodbine's E. P. Taylor turf course.
The Ladies Stakes is a historic American Thoroughbred horse race for Fillies and Mares four years of age and older held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Inaugurated at the Jerome Park Racetrack in 1868, it is the oldest stakes race in the United States exclusively for fillies and mares. An unlisted stakes race, it is currently run on or about New Year's Day and offers a purse of $100,000.
The Knickerbocker Stakes is an American Grade III race on turf for Thoroughbred horses run each year at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Knickerbocker is open to three-year-olds and up, and set at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles. Run in mid October, it currently offers a purse of $200,000.
The Achievement Stakes was a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. An allowance race restricted to three-year-old horses foaled in the province of Ontario, it was run on Tapeta synthetic dirt over a distance of six furlongs.
The James W. Murphy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to three-year-old horses, it is contested over a distance of one mile on turf.
The Fayette Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the dirt held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting. It currently offers a purse of $350,000.
The Round Table Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run on dirt and on turf forty-four times between 1961 and 2007. First run at Washington Park Race Track in Homewood, Illinois as the Round Table Handicap, in 1963 it was moved to Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights. In 1985 a fire destroyed the track's grandstand and clubhouse and its races were hosted that year by Chicago's Hawthorne Race Course. A stakes race open to three-year-old horses, it was last contested on Polytrack synthetic dirt over a distance of one and one-eighth miles. From inception through 1968, it was a handicap race for horses age three and older.