The Forty Niner Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older run over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt held annually in late October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of $250,000.
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1980 (as Kelso Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA[dead link] |
| Race information | |
| Distance | One mile |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and older |
| Weight | Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs. 3-year-olds: 122 lbs. |
| Purse | $250,000 (since 2024) |
History
editThe event was originally named the Kelso Handicap in honor of Kelso, Allaire du Pont's five-time winner of American Horse of the Year honors. Kelso won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park five times (1960–1964) consecutively at the then distance of 2 miles on the dirt. Fittingly NYRA scheduled the inaugural running of the Kelso Handicap over two miles at Aqueduct on 23 October 1980. At the time the event was the only $100,000 two mile event on the dirt in the US.[1] The former claimer Peat Moss won the inaugural event as a 24-1 longshot in a time of 3:243⁄5.[1] Peat Moss would repeat his winning ways the following year carrying a high-weight of 126 pounds.[2] The 1982 running would be the last time the event would be held at the marathon distance. In 1983 the event was not held.[3]
On 20 October 1984 the event was renewed as a 1+1⁄4 miles turf race on an all stakes card at Belmont Park which included the Jockey Club Gold Cup[4] inheriting the classification status of Grade III from the Brighton Beach Handicap which became defunct with its last race on 24 August 1983.[5][6]
In 1988 the event was shortened to one mile.[7]
In 1997 the event was upgraded to Grade II.[7] In 2009, it had been originally being scheduled for turf before being moved to the main track due to extremely heavy rain the day before and consequently was down graded to Grade III.[7] In 2010 the event was moved to the main dirt track.[3]
Of the more notable winners of the event is Lure. Lure ran in the event three times winning in 1993 and finishing second twice in 1992[8] and 1994.[9] In 1992 although finishing second as a three-year-old later that year he went on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile. In 1993 after winning this event he followed up in his next start winning the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park. In 1994 Lure just failed to win the event, beaten by a nose carrying 128 pounds and giving 14 pounds to the winner Nijinsky's Gold in a thrilling stretch battle.[9]
The event in 2022 was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[10] The event was moved to late October and the conditions of the changed from a handicap to a stakes allowance.[11][12]
In 2023 NYRA renamed the event to the Forty Niner Stakes after the late stallion Forty Niner, a winner of several NYRA Grade 1 stakes.[13] Saratoga Race Course's Forbidden Apple Stakes was in turn renamed to the Kelso Stakes.[14]
Records
editSpeed record:
- 1 mile (dirt) 1:32.90 – Anchor Down (2016)
- 1 mile (turf) 1:32.07 – Ashkal Way (2006)
- 1+1⁄4 miles (turf) – 2:01.20 – Who's For Dinner (1984)
- 2 miles (dirt) – 3:20.80 Peat Moss (1981)
Margins:
- 5 lengths – Tizway (2010)
Most wins:
- 2 – Peat Moss (1980, 1981)
- 2 – I'm a Banker (1985, 1986)
- 2 – Forbidden Apple (2000, 2001)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – Murray M. Garren (1980, 1981)
- 2 – Godolphin Racing (1986, 1987)
- 2 – Arthur I. Appleton (2000, 2001)
- 2 – Klaravich Stables (2018, 2020)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Javier Castellano (2007, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Todd A. Pletcher (2011, 2013, 2016, 2021)
Winners
edit| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Aqueduct – Forty Niner Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Coastal Mission | 5 | Arnaldo Bocachica | Jeff C. Runco | Jeff C. Runco | 1 mile | 1:36.10 | $250,000 | II | [15] |
| 2023 | Everso Mischievous | 3 | Cristian A. Torres | Brad H. Cox | Qatar Racing | 1 mile | 1:35.32 | $310,538 | II | [16] |
| Kelso Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2022 | Double Crown | 5 | J. D. Acosta | Norman L. Cash | Lola Cash & Lynn Cash | 1 mile | 1:37.16 | $300,000 | II | [12] |
| At Belmont Park | ||||||||||
| 2021 | Life Is Good | 3 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm & China Horse Club | 1 mile | 1:34.37 | $279,000 | II | [17] |
| 2020 | Complexity | 4 | Jose L. Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables | 1 mile | 1:33.82 | $139,500 | II | [18] |
| 2019 | Pat On the Back | 5 | Dylan Davis | Jeremiah C. Englehart | Harold Lerner, AWC Stables & Nehoc Stables | 1 mile | 1:33.97 | $300,000 | II | [19] |
| 2018 | Patternrecognition | 5 | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence | 1 mile | 1:34.16 | $300,000 | II | [20] |
| 2017 | Sharp Azteca | 4 | Paco Lopez | Jorge Navarro | Ivan Rodriguez | 1 mile | 1:34.12 | $300,000 | II | [21] |
| 2016 | Anchor Down | 5 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Alto Racing | 1 mile | 1:32.90 | $343,000 | II | [22] |
| 2015 | Appealing Tale | 5 | Joseph Talamo | Peter L. Miller | Gary Barber | 1 mile | 1:34.86 | $400,000 | II | [23] |
| 2014 | Vyjack | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Rudy R. Rodriguez | Pick Six Racing | 1 mile | 1:34.05 | $400,000 | II | [24] |
| 2013 | Graydar | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Todd A. Pletcher | Twin Creeks Racing Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.08 | $400,000 | II | [25] |
| 2012 | Jersey Town | 6 | Javier Castellano | Barclay Tagg | Charles E. Fipke | 1 mile | 1:35.24 | $400,000 | II | [26] |
| 2011 | Uncle Mo | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable | 1 mile | 1:33.82 | $190,000 | II | [27] |
| 2010 | Tizway | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | H. James Bond | William L. Clifton Jr. | 1 mile | 1:34.42 | $250,000 | II | [28] |
| 2009 | Le Grand Cru | 4 | Jose Lezcano | H. Allen Jerkens | Judson Streicher | 1 mile | 1:37.36 | $225,000 | III | Off turf[29] |
| 2008 | Tam Lin (GB) | 5 | Javier Castellano | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1 mile | 1:39.13 | $248,000 | II | [30] |
| 2007 | Trippi's Storm | 4 | Javier Castellano | Stanley M. Hough | E. Paul Robsham Stables | 1 mile | 1:32.36 | $249,200 | II | [31] |
| 2006 | Ashkal Way (IRE) | 5 | Michael J. Luzzi | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 1 mile | 1:32.07 | $250,000 | II | [32] |
| 2005 | Funfair (GB) | 6 | Edgar S. Prado | H. Graham Motion | Cheveley Park Farm | 1 mile | 1:32.95 | $334,200 | II | [33] |
| 2004 | Mr O'Brien (IRE) | 5 | Eibar Coa | Robin L. Graham | Skeedattle Stable | 1 mile | 1:32.69 | $270,000 | II | [34] |
| 2003 | Freefourinternet | 5 | Jose L. Espinoza | Joan Scott | Equirace.com LLC | 1 mile | 1:34.73 | $347,000 | II | [35] |
| 2002 | Green Fee | 6 | John R. Velazquez | Daniel C. Peitz | Robert & Lawana Low | 1 mile | 1:33.83 | $350,000 | II | [36] |
| 2001 | Forbidden Apple | 6 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Arthur I. Appleton | 1 mile | 1:36.77 | $250,000 | II | [37] |
| 2000 | Forbidden Apple | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Christophe Clement | Arthur I. Appleton | 1 mile | 1:34.39 | $250,000 | II | [38] |
| 1999 | Middlesex Drive | 4 | Shane Sellers | Philip M. Hauswald | C. Steven Duncker | 1 mile | 1:35.45 | $250,000 | II | [39] |
| 1998 | Dixie Bayou | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | Robert Barbara | Sabine Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.21 | $200,000 | II | [40] |
| 1997 | Lucky Coin | 4 | Robbie Davis | Richard S. Nieminski | Edward I. Kelly Sr. | 1 mile | 1:33.72 | $200,000 | II | [41] |
| 1996 | Same Old Wish | 6 | Shane Sellers | Robert Barbara | Friendship Stable | 1 mile | 1:34.42 | $175,000 | III | [42] |
| 1995 | Mighty Forum (GB) | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Mark A. Hennig | Team Valor International | 1 mile | 1:39.58 | $200,000 | III | [43] |
| 1994 | Nijinsky's Gold | 5 | José A. Santos | Richard A. Violette Jr. | Stanton P. Powell | 1 mile | 1:34.18 | $200,000 | III | [9] |
| 1993 | Lure | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Claiborne Farm | 1 mile | 1:35.86 | $200,000 | III | [44] |
| 1992 | Roman Envoy | 4 | Craig Perret | James E. Picou | Fred W. Hooper | 1 mile | 1:36.39 | $200,000 | III | [8] |
| 1991 | Star of Cozzene | 3 | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | Clover Racing Stable | 1 mile | 1:33.37 | $116,200 | III | [45] |
| 1990 | Expensive Decision | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Stanley R. Shapoff | Edward Shapoff | 1 mile | 1:32.40 | $95,700 | III | [46] |
| 1989 | I Rejoice | 6 | Jerry D. Bailey | Edward I. Kelly Sr. | Brookfield Farms | 1 mile | 1:36.40 | $125,600 | III | [47] |
| 1988 | San's the Shadow | 4 | Chris Antley | Timothy A. Hills | J. Scott Rutan | 1 mile | 1:42.00 | $120,400 | III | [48] |
| 1987 | I'm a Banker | 5 | Antonio Graell | Gasper S. Moschera | Albert Davis | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:10.80 | $128,200 | III | [49] |
| 1986 | I'm a Banker | 4 | Antonio Graell | Gasper S. Moschera | Albert Davis | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:03.20 | $91,200 | III | [50] |
| 1985 | Mourjane (IRE) | 5 | Richard Migliore | Thomas J. Skiffington | Fernwood Stables | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:02.00 | $91,800 | III | [51] |
| 1984 | Who's for Dinner | 5 | Walter Guerra | Jan H. Nerud | Tartan Farms | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.20 | $96,000 | III | [52] |
| 1983 | Race not held | |||||||||
| At Aqueduct | ||||||||||
| 1982 | Worthy Too | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Michael J. Kelly | Adele L. Rand | 2 miles | 3:24.40 | $116,400 | [53] | |
| 1981 | Peat Moss | 6 | Frank Lovato Jr. | Gilbert Puentes | Murray M. Garren | 2 miles | 3:20.80 | $110,400 | [2] | |
| 1980 | Peat Moss | 5 | Frank Lovato Jr. | Gilbert Puentes | Murray M. Garren | 2 miles | 3:24.60 | $113,600 | [1] | |
Legend:
Dirt
Turf
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Harris, Russ (24 October 1980). "24-1 Peat Moss, wins Kelso 'Cap at Big A (1980 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 23 October 1980)". New York Daily News. p. 26. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ a b Whelan, Tom (24 October 1981). "Peat Moss' wine, wins Kelso again (1981 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 23 October 1981)". White Plains Journal News. p. 26. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ a b "KELSO HANDICAP – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ Crist, Steve (19 October 1984). "Belmont Innovation: An All-Stakes Card". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "BRIGHTON BEACH HANDICAP – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Brighton Beach Handicap (Gr. 3)". Equibase. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Kelso Handicap Profile". Equibase. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ a b "1992 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 10 October 1992. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "1994 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 8 October 1994. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "NYRA Shifts Belmont Fall Meet to Aqueduct Change will allow construction of infield tunnel, redevelopment plan to begin". Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Condition Book #2 - Belmont at the Big A". equibase.com. NYRA. September 2022. p. 32. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ a b "2022 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "2023 Belmont at the Big A Fall Meet Schedule Announced NYRA has announced the stakes schedule for the 2023 Belmont at the Big A fall meet". Bloodhorse.com. NYRA. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "2023 Saratoga Summer Meet Stakes Schedule Released The 40-day summer meet will open July 13 and continue through Sept. 4". Bloodhorse.com. NYRA. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ "2024 Forty Niner Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 October 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "2023 Forty Niner Stakes Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "2021 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "2020 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- ^ "2019 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2018 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2017 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2016 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2015 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2014 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2013 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2012 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2011 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2010 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2009 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 4 October 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2008 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2007 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2006 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 30 September 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2005 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2005. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2004 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 October 2004. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2003 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 2003. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2002 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 5 October 2002. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2001 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 6 October 2001. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "2000 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 October 2000. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1999 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 October 1999. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1998 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 October 1998. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1997 Kelso Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 18 October 1997. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1996 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 5 October 1996. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1995 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 7 October 1995. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1993 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 16 October 1993. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "1991 Kelso Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 October 1991. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Expensive Decision turns in record mile time at Belmont (1990 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 8 October 1990)". Hackensack Record. 9 October 1990. p. 8. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ Farrell, Mike (8 October 1989). "Horse Racing (1989 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 7 October 1989)". Hackensack Record. p. 8. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Horse Racing (1988 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 8 October 1988)". Hackensack Record. 9 October 1988. p. 8. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "I'm A Banker repeats Belmont win (1987 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 11 October 1987)". Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. 12 October 1987. p. 26. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "I'm A Banker wins (1986 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 19 October 1986)". Asbury Park Press. Associated Press. 20 October 1986. p. 38. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Mourjane takes Belmont's Kelso 'Cap (1985 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 20 October 1985)". The Central New Jersey Home News. Associated Press. 21 October 1985. p. 38. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Who's For Dinner takes Kelso 'Cap (1984 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 20 October 1984)". White Plains Journal News. Associated Press. 21 October 1984. p. 69. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ Mari, Al (23 October 1982). "Worthy Too wins Kelso (1982 Kelso Handicap – race 8: held 22 October 1982)". White Plains Journal News. p. 26. Retrieved 8 September 2020.