The Woody Stephens Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run over a distance of seven furlongs on dirt held annually in early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Woody Stephens Stakes
Grade I race
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1985
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
Websitewww.nyra.com/index_belmont.html
Race information
Distance7 Furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight124 lbs. with allowances
PurseUS$500,000 (2024)

History

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Inaugurated in 1985 as the Riva Ridge Stakes, it was named in honor of the Hall of Fame inductee and Kentucky Derby winner, Riva Ridge.[1] In 2006, it was renamed in memory of Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens, who won eight U.S. Triple Crown races including a record five consecutive editions of the Belmont Stakes.[1]

The event was classified as a Grade III in 1988, upgraded to a Grade II event in 1998, and in 2019 it was upgraded to Grade I.[2]

The race is part of the undercard for the Belmont Stakes and often includes horses that are cutting back in distance after attempting to qualify on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.[3]

The event has been won by champions including Lost in the Fog in 2005 who that year was the American Champion Sprint Horse, and the 1990 Champion 2YO Fly So Free. Also the 2014 winner Bayern would later that year win the Breeders' Cup Classic.

In 2024 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[4]

Records

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Speed record:

  • 1:20.33 – You And I (1994)

Margins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

  • 2 – Zayat Stables (2008, 2011)

Winners

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Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Saratoga – Woody Stephens Stakes
2024 Book'em Danno Irad Ortiz Jr. Derek Ryan Atlantic Six Racing 7 furlongs 1:21.30 $500,000 I [5]
At Belmont Park
2023 Arabian Lion John R. Velazquez Bob Baffert Zedan Racing Stables 7 furlongs 1:21.70 $400,000 I [6]
2022 Jack Christopher José Ortiz Chad C. Brown Peter M. Brant, Gerry Isbister, Jim Bakke, & Coolmore Stud 7 furlongs 1:21.18 $392,000 I [7]
2021 Drain the Clock Jose Ortiz Saffie Joseph Jr Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables & Michael Nentwig 7 furlongs 1:22.27 $392,000 I [8]
2020 No Parole Luis Saez Thomas Amoss Maggi Moss & Greg Tramontin 7 furlongs 1:21.41 $242,500 I [9]
2019 Hog Creek Hustle Corey J. Lanerie Vickie L. Foley Something Special Racing 7 furlongs 1:21.12 $400,000 I [10]
2018 Still Having Fun Joel Rosario Timothy L. Keefe Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable and Terp Racing LLC 7 furlongs 1:21.45 $400,000 II [11]
2017 American Anthem Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert WinStar Farm, Head of Plains Partners, China Horse Club, SF Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.14 $500,000 II [12]
2016 Tom's Ready Joel Rosario Dallas Stewart G M B Racing 7 furlongs 1:21.38 $500,000 II [13]
2015 March Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad C. Brown Robert V. LaPenta 7 furlongs 1:21.37 $490,000 II [14]
2014 Bayern Gary L. Stevens Bob Baffert Kaleem Shah 7 furlongs 1:20.75 $500,000 II [15]
2013 Forty Tales Joel Rosario Todd A. Pletcher Perretti Racing Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.47 $400,000 II [16]
2012 Trinniberg Willie Martinez Bisnath Parboo Shivananda Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.26 $400,000 II [17]
2011 Justin Phillip Ramon A. Dominguez Steven M. Asmussen Zayat Stables 7 furlongs 1:23.56 $245,000 II [18]
2010 D' Funnybone Edgar S. Prado Richard E. Dutrow Jr. Paul Pompa Jr. 7 furlongs 1:22.64 $245,000 II [19]
2009 Munnings John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith 7 furlongs 1:20.63 $250,000 II [20]
2008 J Be K Garrett K. Gomez Steven M. Asmussen Zayat Stables 7 furlongs 1:21.85 $250,000 II [21]
2007 Teuflesberg Robby Albarado Jamie Sanders Jeff Singer, Jamie Sanders, Donnie Kelly & Gary Logsdon 7 furlongs 1:21.49 $247,166 II [22]
2006 Songster Edgar S. Prado Thomas Albertrani Darley Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.45 $250,000 II [23]
Riva Ridge Stakes
2005 Lost in the Fog Edgar S. Prado Greg Gilchrist Harry J. Aleo 7 furlongs 1:21.54 $170,000 II [24]
2004 Fire Slam Pat Day David M. Carroll Stan Fulton 7 furlongs 1:20.94 $200,000 II [25]
2003 Posse Corey J. Lanerie Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.03 $200,000 II [26]
2002 Gygistar Pat Day Mark A. Hennig Edward P. Evans 7 furlongs 1:22.61 $190,000 II [27]
2001 Put It Back Noel A. Wynter H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 7 furlongs 1:21.76 $150,000 II [28]
2000 Trippi Jerry D. Bailey Todd A. Pletcher Dogwood Stable 7 furlongs 1:23.68 $150,000 II [29]
1999 Yes It's True Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Padua Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.35 $150,000 II [30]
1998 Coronado's Quest Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Stuart S. Janney III 7 furlongs 1:22.50 $136,750 II [31]
1997 Smoke Glacken Craig Perret Henry L. Carroll William B. Roberts 7 furlongs 1:20.98 $110,100 III [32]
1996 Gold Fever Mike E. Smith Claude R. McGaughey III Cynthia Phipps 7 furlongs 1:23.30 $112,700 III [33]
1995 Western Larla Gary L. Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Fares Farm Inc. 7 furlongs 1:24.24 $111,600 III [34]
1994 You and I Chris McCarron Robert J. Frankel Edmund A. Gann 7 furlongs 1:20.33 $111,800 III [35]
1993 Montbrook Clarence Joseph Ladner III Dean Gaudet Israel Cohen 7 furlongs 1:23.34 $123,600 III [36]
1992 Superstrike (GB) José A. Santos Bruce L. Jackson David R. Kruse 7 furlongs 1:22.41 $117,600 III [37]
1991 Fly So Free Jerry D. Bailey Flint S. Schulhofer Thomas F. Valando 7 furlongs 1:23.13 $123,400 III [38]
1990 Adjudicating Jacinto Vásquez Claude R. McGaughey III Ogden Phipps 7 furlongs 1:23.90 $113,400 III [39]
1989 Is It True Chris Antley D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 7 furlongs 1:22.29 $117,000 III [40]
1988 Evening Kris Laffit Pincay Jr. Philip A. Gleaves Robert E. Brennan 7 furlongs 1:22.80 $115,000 III [41]
1987 Jazzing Around José A. Santos D. Wayne Lukas D. Wayne Lukas 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $80,400 Listed [42]
1986 Ogygian Walter Guerra Jan H. Nerud Tartan Farms 7 furlongs 1:23.40 $81,500 [43]
1985 Ziggy's Boy Ángel Cordero Jr. Walter Kelley John B. Singer 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $81,600 [44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Woody Stephens Stakes (Gr. 1)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Graded and Listed Races for 2019 Released". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Trinniberg Cuts Back in Woody Stephens Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  4. ^ "NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga". nyra.com. New York Racing Association. January 24, 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (Grade 1 - race 8)". equibase.com. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (Grade 1 - race 8)". equibase.com. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (Grade 1 - race 6)". equibase.com. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  8. ^ "2021 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 1 – (race 3)". Equibase. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  9. ^ "2020 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 1 – (race 2)" (PDF). Equibase. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  10. ^ "2019 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  11. ^ "2018 Woody Stephens S. Presented by Mohegan Sun Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  12. ^ "2017 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  13. ^ "2016 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  14. ^ "2015 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 3)". Equibase. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  15. ^ "2014 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  16. ^ "2013 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  17. ^ "2012 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  18. ^ "2011 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  19. ^ "2010 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  20. ^ "2009 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  21. ^ "2008 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  22. ^ "2007 Woody Stephens Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  23. ^ "2006 Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 June 2006. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  24. ^ "2005 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 June 2005. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  25. ^ "2004 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 5 June 2004. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  26. ^ "2003 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 7 June 2003. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  27. ^ "2002 Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 June 2002. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  28. ^ "2001 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 9 June 2001. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  29. ^ "2000 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 10 June 2000. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  30. ^ "1999 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 5 June 1999. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  31. ^ "1998 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  32. ^ "1997 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 June 1997. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  33. ^ "1996 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 8 June 1996. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  34. ^ "1995 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 10 June 1995. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  35. ^ "1994 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 11 June 1994. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  36. ^ "1993 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 5 June 1993. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  37. ^ "1992 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 6 June 1992. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  38. ^ "1991 Riva Ridge Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 8 June 1991. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Three-win day for McGaughey at Belmont(1990 Riva Ridge Stakes – race 6: held 9 June 1990)". The Courier-Journal. 10 June 1990. p. 20. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  40. ^ "Racing Chart from Belmont Park (1989 Riva Ridge Stakes – race 7: held 10 June 1989)". New York Daily News. 11 June 1989. p. 20. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  41. ^ "Racing Round Up (1988 Riva Ridge Stakes – race 5: held 11 June 1988)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 14 June 1988. p. 48. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  42. ^ "Racing Round Up (1987 Riva Ridge Stakes – race 5: held 6 June 1987)". New York Daily News. 7 June 1987. p. 91. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  43. ^ "Ogygian Takes Riva Ridge Stakes (1986 Riva Ridge Stakes – race 5: held 7 June 1986)". Arizona Daily Sun. 8 June 1986. p. 12. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Racing Round Up (1985 Riva Ridge Stakes – race 5: held 8 June 1985)". The Courier-Journal. 9 June 1985. p. 59. Retrieved 14 June 2020.