True North Stakes

Last updated
True North Stakes
Flat racing clipart.svg
ClassGrade III
Location Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1979
Race type Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website www.nyra.com
Race information
Distance6+1⁄2 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and older
Weight124lbs with allowances
PurseUS$400,000 (2025)

The True North Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four years old and older held over a distance of six and half furlongs on dirt scheduled annually in early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $400,000. [1]

Contents

History

The True North is named for the winner of the 1945 Fall Highweight Handicap, W. Deering Howe's, True North.

The event was inaugurated on 9 July 1979 as the True North Handicap and was won by the longshot Moleolus in a time of 1:104⁄5. [2]

The event was classified as Grade III in 1982 and upgraded to Grade II in 1985. [1] The only mare to win the event was Gold Beauty in 1993. [3]

In winning the 1987 edition of the True North Handicap, Groovy earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 134. [4]

In 2014 the conditions of the race changed to a stakes race. In 2017 the distance of the race was changed from 6 furlongs to 6+1⁄2 furlongs. [1]

In 2024 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park. [5]

In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade III status. [6]

Records

Speed record:

Most wins:

Most wins by a trainer:

Margin:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Saratoga – True North Stakes
2025Book’em Danno4 Paco Lopez Derek S. RyanAtlantic Six Racing6+1⁄2 furlongs1:14.64$400,000III [7]
2024Baby Yoda6Eric Cancel William I. Mott Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber & Jerold L. Zaro6+1⁄2 furlongs1:14.62$350,000II [8]
At Belmont Park
2023 Elite Power 5 Irad Ortiz Jr. William I. Mott Juddmonte 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.65$250,000II [9]
2022 Jackie's Warrior 4 Joel Rosario Steven M. Asmussen Judy & J.Kirk Robison6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.09$300,000II [10]
2021Firenze Fire6 Jose Ortiz Kelly BreenMr Amore Stables6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.52$300,000II [11]
2020Firenze Fire5 Irad Ortiz Jr. Kelly BreenMr Amore Stables6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.53$150,000II [12]
2019Catalina Cruiser5 Joel Rosario John W. Sadler Hronis Racing6+1⁄2 furlongs1:14.85$250,000II [13]
2018Imperial Hint5 Javier Castellano Luis Carvajal Jr.Raymond Mamone6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.02$240,000II [14]
2017 Roy H 5 Paco Lopez Peter L. Miller Rockingham Ranch6 furlongs1:08.59$250,000II [15]
2016Joking7 Manuel Franco Charlton BakerCharlton Baker6 furlongs1:08.04$240,000II [16]
2015 Rock Fall 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Stonestreet Stables 6 furlongs1:08.37$250,000II [17]
2014Palace5 José L. Ortiz Linda L. Rice Antonino Miuccio6 furlongs1:08.29$250,000II [18]
True North Handicap
2013Fast Bullet5 Joel Rosario Bob Baffert Zayat Stables 6 furlongs1:08.27$400,000II [19]
2012 Caixa Eletronica 7 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stables6 furlongs1:09.52$400,000II [20]
2011Trappe Shot4 John R. Velazquez Kiaran P. McLaughlin Mill House6 furlongs1:08.86$250,000II [21]
2010Bribon (FR) 7 Garrett K. Gomez Todd A. Pletcher Derrick Smith6 furlongs1:09.63$250,000II [22]
2009Fabulous Strike6 Ramon A. Dominguez Todd M. BeattieWalter Downey6 furlongs1:07.85$250,000II [23]
2008 Benny the Bull 5 Edgar S. Prado Richard E. Dutrow Jr. IEAH Stables, James Cohen, Pegasus Holdings Group & Sanford H. Robbins6 furlongs1:09.06$250,000II [24]
2007Will He Shine5 Edgar S. Prado Dale L. Romans Saviaro Pugliese & Marc Wexler6 furlongs1:08.70$200,000II [25]
2006Anew5 Alan Garcia Steven M. Asmussen Chrome Cowboy Racing & Raymond Vitolo6 furlongs1:08.10$200,000II [26]
2005Woke Up Dreamin5 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 6 furlongs1:08.38$212,900II [27]
2004 Speightstown 6 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Eugene Melnyk 6 furlongs1:08.04$206,400II [28]
2003Shake You Down5 Michael J. Luzzi Scott A. Lake Robert L. Cole Jr.6 furlongs1:09.40$190,000II [29]
2002Explicit5Lonnie MecheIan P. D. JoryMarvin Malmuth6 furlongs1:09.80$250,000II [30]
2001Say Florida Sandy7 Aaron Gryder Juan SereyJohn Rotella6 furlongs1:08.60$150,000II [31]
2000Intidab7 Robbie Davis Kiaran P. McLaughlin Shadwell Stable 6 furlongs1:10.00$150,000II [32]
1999Kashatreya5 Jean-Luc Samyn John O. HertlerSeymour Cohn6 furlongs1:09.60$150,000II [33]
1998Richter Scale4 Jerry D. Bailey William I. Mott Nancy & Richard Kaster6 furlongs1:08.80$138,600II [34]
1997Punch Line7 Robbie Davis William H. Turner Jr. Althea Richards6 furlongs1:08.80$110,300II [35]
1996Not Surprising6 Robbie Davis Judson Van WorpRobert Van Worp6 furlongs1:09.00$111,200II [36]
1995Waldoboro4 Eddie Maple Claude R. McGaughey III Emory A. Hamilton6 furlongs1:09.60$110,500II [37]
1994Friendly Lover6 Rick Wilson Joseph H. Pierce Jr. Pastime Stable6 furlongs1:09.60$112,300II [38]
1993Lion Cavern4 Julie Krone William I. Mott Sheikh Mohammed 6 furlongs1:10.20$115,200II [39]
1992Shining Bid4 Eddie Maple Jack B. MorganDeborah A. Matz6 furlongs1:08.20$119,800II [40]
1991Diablo4 Julie Krone William I. Mott Bertram R. Firestone 6 furlongs1:08.20$116,200II [41]
1990Mr. Nickerson4 Chris Antley Mark J. ReidRobert H. A. Nixon6 furlongs1:10.40$85,600II [42]
1989 Dancing Spree 4 Ángel Cordero Jr. Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Phipps 6 furlongs1:09.40$113,600II [43]
1988§ High Brite4 Ángel Cordero Jr. D. Wayne Lukas H. Joseph Allen 6 furlongs1:10.00$113,000II [44]
1987 Groovy 4 Ángel Cordero Jr. José MartínLone Star Stable6 furlongs1:07.80$108,800II [45]
1986Phone Trick4 Jorge Velásquez Richard E. Mandella Howell Wynne6 furlongs1:09.00$110,800II [46]
1985Cannon Shell6D. J. MurphyChester RossSeymour Cohn6 furlongs1:10.80$87,000II [47]
1984Believe The Queen4 Jorge Velásquez H. Allen Jerkens Bohemia Stable 6 furlongs1:09.80$86,850III [48]
1983‡ Gold Beauty4 Don Brumfield William Curtis Jr.Mrs. Philip Hofmann6 furlongs1:10.40$84,600III [49]
1982Shimatoree3 Mario G. Pinoclaud Richard E. Dutrow Sr. Rif'at Hussain6 furlongs1:08.60$82,650 [50]
1981Joanie's Chief4 Jean-Luc Samyn Eugene JacobsPeter Barberino6 furlongs1:09.00$58,800 [51]
1980Syncopate5 Laffit Pincay Jr. Ron McAnally Elmendorf Farm 6 furlongs1:09.20$55,000 [52]
1979Moleolus4 Jean-Luc Samyn Patrick J. KellyLive Oak Plantation Racing6 furlongs1:10.40$42,225 [2]

Notes:
‡ Filly or Mare
§ Ran as part of an entry

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "True North Stakes (Gr. 2)". equibase. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 Inaugural Running of True North Handicap Ward, Gene (9 July 1979). "$61 Moleolus wins first True North (1979 True North Handicap – race 8: held 8 July 1979)". New York Daily News . p. 58. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "TRUE NORTH HANDICAP – MULTIPLE TRACKSS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  4. ↑ Beyer, Andrew Beyer on Speed: New Strategies for Racetrack Betting, p.57 (1995) Houghton Mifflin ISBN   978-0-395-73523-7
  5. ↑ "NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga". nyra.com. New York Racing Association. January 24, 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  6. ↑ "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2025". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "2024 True North Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "2024 True North Stakes Presented by F. W. Webb Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  9. ↑ "2023 True North Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". Equibase. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "2022 True North Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "2021 True North Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "2020 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)" (PDF). Equibase. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  13. ↑ "2019 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  14. ↑ "2018 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  15. ↑ "2017 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  16. ↑ "2016 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "2015 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "2014 True North Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "2013 RTN True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  20. ↑ "2012 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  21. ↑ "2011 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  22. ↑ "2010 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  23. ↑ "2009 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  24. ↑ "2008 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  25. ↑ "2007 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "2006 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 10 June 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "2005 True North Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 11 June 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  28. ↑ "2004 True North Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 5 June 2004. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  29. ↑ "2003 True North Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 June 2003. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  30. ↑ "2002 True North Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 8 June 2002. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  31. ↑ "2001 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 9 June 2001. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  32. ↑ "2000 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 June 2000. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  33. ↑ "1999 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 June 1999. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  34. ↑ "1998 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  35. ↑ "1997 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 7 June 1997. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  36. ↑ "1996 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 8 June 1996. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  37. ↑ "1995 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 15 July 1995. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  38. ↑ "1994 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 July 1994. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  39. ↑ "1993 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 20 June 1993. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  40. ↑ "1992 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 20 June 1992. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  41. ↑ "1991 True North Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 June 1991. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  42. ↑ "Belmont Park Charts (1990 True North Handicap – race 8: held 23 June 1990)". New York Daily News . 24 June 1990. p. 75. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  43. ↑ "Dancing Spree wins True North 'Cap (1989 True North Handicap – race 8: held 24 June 1989)". The New York Times . 25 June 1989. p. 52. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  44. ↑ "High Brite wins True North (1988 True North Handicap – race 8: held 21 June 1988)". Asbury Park Press . Associated Press. 20 June 1988. p. 42. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  45. ↑ "Groovy wins True North (1987 True North Handicap – race 8: held 21 June 1988)". Hartford Courant . Associated Press. 22 June 1987. p. 90. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  46. ↑ "Phone Trick stays unbeaten (1986 True North Handicap – race 8: held 22 June 1986)". The Courier-Journal . Associated Press. 23 June 1986. pp. 16, 29. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  47. ↑ "Phone Trick stays unbeaten (1985 True North Handicap – race 8: held 23 June 1985)". The Journal News. Associated Press. 24 June 1985. p. 47. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  48. ↑ O'Day, Joe (25 June 1984). "A Super Day by Jorge (1984 True North Handicap – race 8: held 24 June 1984)". New York Daily News . p. 54. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  49. ↑ O'Day, Joe (27 June 1983). "Gold Beauty, a filly, Beats 7 colts by 2½ (1983 True North Handicap – race 8: held 24 June 1983)". New York Daily News . p. 59. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  50. ↑ Gaffer, Wes (4 July 1982). "Shimatoree sprints to win True North Handicap (1982 True North Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1982)". New York Daily News . p. 343. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  51. ↑ Kellner, Jenny (4 July 1981). "Joanie's Chief ruins Proud Appeal's return (1981 True North Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1981)". New York Daily News . p. 71. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  52. ↑ Harris, Russ (7 July 1980). "Syncopate stretch run nudges Isella by a nose (1980 True North Handicap – race 8: held 6 July 1980)". New York Daily News . p. 63. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.