Knickerbocker Handicap
Grade III race | |
Location |
Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1960 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Website |
www |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
Weight | allowance |
Purse | $200,000 (since 2013)[1] |
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 (nine furlong). Run in mid October, it currently offers a purse of $200,000.[1]
The Knickerbocker is named for a fictional character, Diedrich Knickerbocker, from Washington Irving's Knickerbocker History of New York– a spoof on the imagined colony of New Netherland.
The race was originally run as the Knickerbocker Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack in late October or early November, although the 1962, 1995 and 2001 renewals were held at Belmont. The race was permanently moved to Belmont Park in 2008 and was changed from a handicap to allowance weight conditions in 2009.
The race has been run at a variety of distances over the years:
- 1 5⁄8 miles - 1960, 1961, 1971 to 1974
- 1 3⁄8 miles - 1962, 1975, 1976, 1978 to 1986
- 1 3⁄16 miles - 1963 to 1969
- 1 5⁄16 miles - 1970
- 1 1⁄4 miles - 1977, 1995 and 2001
- 1 1⁄8 miles - 1987 to 1994, 1996 to 2000, 2002 to present
The Knickerbocker was run in two divisions in 1963, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. In 1977, 1992 and 1997, the race was switched from turf to dirt due to rain.
T.V. Lark won this race in its second running, 1961.
Jockey Jean Cruguet has won this race seven times: 1992, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1978, and both divisions in 1977.
Past winners
- 2016 - Heart to Heart (5) (Irad Ortiz, Jr.)
- 2015 - Messi (GER) (5) (John R. Velazquez)
- 2014 - Legendary (GB) (5) (Sheldon Russell
- 2013 - Za Approval (5) (Travis L. Dunkelberger)
- 2012 - Boisterous (5) (Julian Pimentel)
- 2011 - Boisterous (4) (John Velazquez)
- 2010 - Violon Sacre (5) (Pablo Fragoso)
- 2009 - Operation Red Dawn (7) (Rajiv Maragh)
- 2008 - Formal Decree (5) (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 2007 - Fishy Advice (5) (Javier Castellano)
- 2006 - Drum Major (4) (Joe Bravo)
- 2005 - Atlando (IRE) (4) (Jerry Bailey)
- 2004 - Host (CHI) (4) (Christopher DeCarlo)
- 2003 - Better Talk Now (4) (Edgar Prado)
- 2002 - Dawn of the Condor (5) (Jorge Chavez)
- 2001 - Sumitas (5) (Edgar Prado)
- 2000 - Chargé d'Affaires (5) (Jose Santos)
- 1999 - Chargé d'Affaires (4) (Jose Santos)
- 1998 - Sahm (4) (John Velazquez)
- 1997 - Sir Cat (4) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1996 - Mr. Bluebird (5) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1995 - Diplomatic Jet (3) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1994 - Kiri's Clown (5) (Mike Luzzi)
- 1993 - River Majesty (4) (Mike E. Smith)
- 1992 - Binary Light (3) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1991 - Home of the Free (3) (John Velazquez)
- 1990 - Who's To Pay (4) (Jerry Bailey)
- 1989 - Trans Banner (4) (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 1988 - Jimmy's Bronco (4) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1987 - Laser Lane (4) (Jose Santos)
- 1986 - Duluth (4) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1985 - Putting Green (5) (Eddie Maple)
- 1985 - Rocamadour II (6) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1984 - He's Vivacious (4) (Robbie Davis)
- 1983 - Four Bases (4) (Robert Thibeau Jr.)
- 1983 - Piling (5) (Eddie Maple)
- 1982 - Half Iced (3) (Don MacBeth)
- 1982 - If Winter Comes (4) (Michael Venezia)
- 1981 - Euphrosyne (5) Richard Migliore)
- 1981 - Ghazwan (4) (Constantino Hernandez)
- 1980 - Foretake (4) (John Ruane)
- 1980 - Lobsang II (4) (Michael Venezia)
- 1979 - French Colonial (4) (Jacinto Vasquez)
- 1978 - Fluorescent Light (4) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1977 - Dance d'Espoir (5) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1977 - Keep the Promise (5) (Jean Cruguet)
- 1976 - Javamine (3) (Jorge Velasquez)
- 1976 - Oilfield (3) (Sandy Hawley)
- 1975 - Shady Character (4) (Angel Cordero Jr.)
- 1974 - Shady Character (3) (Angel Cordero Jr.)
- 1973 - Astray (4) (Chuck Baltazar)
- 1972 - Triangular (5) (John L. Rotz)
- 1971 - Fresh Alibhai (3) (John Ruane)
- 1970 - Mongo's Pride (3) (Carlos H. Marquez)
- 1969 - Vent du Nord (4) (Rudy L. Turcotte)
- 1969 - Zarco (3) (Ron Turcotte)
- 1968 - Flit-To (5) (Manuel Ycaza)
- 1967 - Dunderhead (4) (Ernest Cardone)
- 1967 - Flag (7) (Sandino Hernandez)
- 1966 - Rego (3) (Hedley Woodhouse)
- 1965 - Circus (4) (Mike Sorrentino)
- 1964 - Third Martini (5) (M. Ycaza)
- 1963 - Parka (5) (Bill Shoemaker)
- 1963 - Hellenic Hero (5) (Hedley Woodhouse)
- 1962 - The Axe II (4) (Bill Shoemaker)
- 1961 - T.V. Lark (4) (Johnny Longden)
- 1960 - Quiz Star (4) (Bill Shoemaker)
References
- 1 2 "Knickerbocker Stakes Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.