Winter Memories Stakes

Last updated
Winter Memories Stakes
ClassGrade III
Location Aqueduct Racetrack
Queens, New York, United States
Inaugurated2016
Race type ThoroughbredFlat racing
Race information
Distance1 mile
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-old fillies
Weight124 lbs with allowances
Purse$150,000 (since 2024)

The Winter Memories Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three year old fillies over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in September at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.

Contents

History

The event is named after Darby Dan Farm owner John Phillips' multiple-Grade I winning mare Winter Memories . This gray mare won five graded stakes events at Belmont Park. In her last competitive race at Saratoga Racetrack the mare won the Grade I Diana Stakes. [1]

The inaugural running of the event was on November 25, 2016 over a distance of 1+116 miles and was won by Stuart S. Janney III's My Impression who won the event by a half a length, starting as the 11/4 favorite in a time of 1:44.22.

The event was run on the dirt track due to the conditions of the turf track in 2018 and held at shorter distance of one mile. [2]

In 2023 the distance of the event was decreased to one mile. [2] The event was also moved in the fall schedule from November and held in mid September.

Several entrants who have run in this race have won Grade I events. The 2020 winner Duopoly won the GI American Oaks in her next start. [3] The 2023 winner Sacred Wish the following year won the GI Matriarch Stakes as a four-year-old. [4]

In 2025 the event was upgraded to Grade III by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. [5]

Records

Speed record:

Largest margin of victory:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Aqueduct – WInter Memories Stakes
2024Les Reys (FR) Joel Rosario Christophe Clement West Point Thoroughbreds, Peter Leidel & Winters Equine1 mile1:35.95$150,000Listed [6]
2023Sacred Wish John R. Velazquez George WeaverBlack Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Steve Adkisson, Christopher T. Dunn & Anthony Spinazzola1 mile1:35.46$135,000Listed [7]
2022Salimah (IRE) Jose L. Ortiz Chad C. Brown Stephanie Seymour Brant1+116 miles1:44.69$135,000Listed [8]
2021Plum Ali Manuel Franco Christophe Clement Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Michael J. Caruso1+116 miles1:45.11$150,000 [9]
2020Duopoly Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables 1+116 miles1:44.80$100,000 [10]
2019Feel Glorious (GB) Junior Alvarado Christophe Clement Reeves Thoroughbred Racing & Tango Uniform Racing1+116 miles1:43.16$156,188 [11]
2018Matty's Magnum Manuel Franco David G. DonkEdward R. & Mary Jo Lessell1 mile1:41.97$157,538 [12]
2017Rymska (FR) Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown Alain Jathiere, Sheep Pond Partners, Thomas Coleman & Elayne S. Herrick1+116 miles1:45.48$150,000 [13]
2016My Impression Jose L. Ortiz Claude R. McGaughey III Stuart S. Janney III1+116 miles1:44.22$125,000 [14]

Legend:
  Dirt  Turf

See also

References

  1. "Winter Memories (KY)". equibase. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 "WINTER MEMORIES STAKES - AQUEDUCT, NY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  3. "Duopoly (KY)". equibase. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  4. "Sacred Wish (KY)". equibase. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  5. "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2025". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  6. "2024 Winter Memories Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  7. "2023 Winter Memories Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  8. "2022 Winter Memories Stakes Listed - (race 6)". Equibase. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  9. "2021 Winter Memories Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  10. "2020 Winter Memories Stakes Black Type - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  11. "2019 Winter Memories Stakes Black Type - (race 2)". Equibase. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  12. "2018 Winter Memories Stakes Black Type - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  13. "2017 Winter Memories Stakes Black Type - (race 7)". Equibase. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  14. "2016 Winter Memories Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2025.