The Adirondack Stakes is an American
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in ...
first run in 1901. Held in the middle of August at
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the country, but is actu ...
in
Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over 2 ...
, the Adirondack Stakes is open to two-year-old
fillies
A filly is a female horse that is too young to be called a mare. There are two specific definitions in use:
*In most cases, a ''filly'' is a female horse under four years old.
*In some nations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, t ...
willing to race six and a half
furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one eighth of a mile, equivalent to 660 feet, 220 yards, 40 rods, 10 chains or approximately 201 metres. It is now mostly confined to use in hor ...
s on the dirt. It is a
Grade II event with a current purse of $200,000 (raised from $150,000 in 2012.)
Named for the
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains (; a-də-RÄN-dak) form a massif in northeastern New York with boundaries that correspond roughly to those of Adirondack Park. They cover about 5,000 square miles (13,000 km2). The mountains form a roughly circular ...
of northeastern
New York State
New York, officially the State of New York, is a state in the Northeastern United States. It is often called New York State to distinguish it from its largest city, New York City. With a total area of , New York is the 27th-largest U.S. stat ...
, the race was first run in 1901 as a handicap for two-year-olds of either sex. Beginning in 1930 the race was restricted to fillies. Since inception, the Adirondack has been contested at various distances:
* 5.5 furlongs : 1952–1955
* 6 furlongs : 1901–1910, 1913–1945, 1962–1993, 2005
* 6.5 furlongs : 1994–2003, 2006–present
This race was at
Belmont Park in 1943, 1944, and 1945; and at
Jamaica Race Course in 1953 and 1954. It was not run in 1911 and 1912; from 1946 to 1952, from 1956 to 1961 and in 2004.
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of 6.5 furlongs)
* 1:15.16 – You (2001)
Most wins by a
jockey:
* 4 –
Jorge Velásquez
Jorge Velásquez (born December 28, 1946 in Chepo, Panama) is a thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey.
Jorge Velasquez's career in thoroughbred racing began in his native Panama but as a teenager moved to the United States. In 1967 he won ...
(1980, 1981, 1983, 1985)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 –
Stonestreet Stables (2011, 2012, 2014)
* 3 –
Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney (April 29, 1872 – October 26, 1930) was an American businessman, thoroughbred horse breeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family.
Early years
Whitney was born in New York City on April 29, 1872, as the eldest son ...
(1908, 1917, 1920)
* 3 –
Edward R. Bradley
Edward Riley Bradley (December 12, 1859 – August 15, 1946) was an American steel mill laborer, gold miner, businessman and philanthropist. As well as a race track proprietor, he was the preeminent owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehor ...
(1934, 1935, 1944)
Most wins by a
trainer:
* 7 –
D. Wayne Lukas (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2022)
Winners since 1953
Earlier winners
*1945 – Rytina
*1944 –
Busher
*1943 – Fire Sticky
*1942 – La Reigh
*1941 – Romping Home
*1940 – Tangled
*1939 – Rosetown
*1938 – Matterhorn
*1937 –
Creole Maid
*1936 – Juliet W.
*1935 – Beanie M
*1934 – Bird Flower
*1933 – Sun Celtic
*1932 – Speed Boat
*1931 – Brocado
*1930 – Ladana
*1929 – War Saint
*1928 – The Worker
*1927 – One Hour
*1926 – Friedjof Nansen
*1925 – Blockhead
*1924 – Cloudland
*1923 – Elvina
*1922 – Cartoonist
*1921 – Oil Man
*1920 – Exodus
*1919 – Grayssian
*1918 – Routledge
*1917 – Happy Go Lucky
*1916 – Ultimatum
*1915 –
Friar Rock
Friar Rock (1913 – January 8, 1928) was a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. His most important win came in the 1916 Belmont Stakes.
Background
Owned and raced by the prominent New York City businessman August Belmont Jr., he was foal ...
*1914 – Lady Barbary
*1913 – Little Nephew
*1910 – Zeus
*1909 – Scarpia
*1908 – Sea Cliff
*1907 – Beaucoup
*1906 –
Salvidere
*1905 – Tangle
*1904 – Broadcloth
*1903 – Sweet Gretchen
*1902 –
Molly Brant
Molly Brant ( – April 16, 1796), also known as Mary Brant, Konwatsi'tsiaienni, and Degonwadonti, was a Mohawk leader in British New York and Upper Canada in the era of the American Revolution. Living in the Province of New York, she was the c ...
*1901 – Smart Set
References
{{Reflist
The 2009 Adirondack Stakes at ESPNTen Things You Should Know About the Adirondack Stakes at Hello Race Fans
Horse races in New York (state)
Saratoga Race Course
Flat horse races for two-year-old fillies
Graded stakes races in the United States
Grade 2 stakes races in the United States
Recurring sporting events established in 1901
1901 establishments in New York (state)