The Count Fleet Stakes is an American
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...
horse race
Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...
run at
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and casino in the South Ozone Park, Queens, South Ozone Park and Jamaica, Queens, Jamaica neighborhoods of Queens, New York City, United States. Aqueduct is the only racetrack locate ...
, located in
Jamaica, New York
Jamaica is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is mainly composed of a large commercial and retail area, though part of the neighborhood is also residential. Jamaica is bordered by Hollis to the east; St. Albans, Springfi ...
, at the beginning of January each year. It is the first
stakes race
Glossary of North American horse racing:
Additional glossaries at:
*Glossary of Australian and New Zealand punting
*Glossary of equestrian terms
This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon ...
of the year run in New York City for three-year-olds.
Named after
Count Fleet
Count Fleet (March 24, 1940 – December 3, 1973) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the sixth winner of the American Triple Crown. He won the Belmont Stakes by a then record margin of twenty-five lengths. After an undefeated ...
, the 1943
Triple Crown
Triple Crown may refer to:
Sports Horse racing
* Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
* Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)
** Triple Crown Trophy
** Triple Crown Productions
* Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
* Trip ...
winner, the race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one mile and seventy yards on the inner dirt track.
Offering a purse of $65,000 added, the race is a prep to the
Whirlaway Stakes
The Whirlaway Stakes is a race for Thoroughbred horses held in February at Aqueduct Racetrack. The Whirlaway Stakes is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs) on the dirt. It is an ungraded event offer ...
, the
Gotham Stakes
The Gotham Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run in early March at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. A Grade III event with a current purse of US$300,000, it is set at a distance of 1 mile on the dirt ...
, the
Bay Shore Stakes
The Bay Shore Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds at a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt run annually in early April at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The event currently offers ...
and the
Wood Memorial Stakes
The Wood Memorial Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually in April at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. It is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on dirt. The Wood Memori ...
.
Inaugurated in 1975 as the Count Fleet Handicap at Belmont Park, it was run that year at a distance of one mile. In 1976 it was raced at seven
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 hors ...
s then from 1977 through 1983 at a mile and a sixteenth. It has been contested at a mile and seventy yards since 1984.
Count Fleet Stakes history at the NYRA
There was no race run in 1982.
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of 1 mile, 70 yards)
* 1:39.61 – Achilles of Troy (2006)
Most wins by a jockey
A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...
:
* 3 – 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 ...
(1975, 1984, 1990)
* 3 – Richard Migliore
Richard Migliore (born March 14, 1964 in Babylon, New York) is a retired American jockey. He now works as a racing analyst for XBTV. He was nicknamed "The Mig," which is a type of Russian fighter jet, for his tenacious style of riding. He lives ...
(1985, 1988, 2002)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 2 – John P. Campo
John P. Campo, Sr. (February 24, 1938 - November 14, 2005) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.
Campo was born in East Harlem, New York and raised in Ozone Park, Queens. He is best known as the trainer of 1981 Kentucky Derby and Prea ...
(1977, 1991)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 – Paraneck Stable (2006, 2007)
Winners
* † In 1991, Stately Wager finished first but was disqualified to second.
References
{{coord, 40.672306, -73.830829, region:US, format=dms, display=title
Triple Crown Prep Races
Horse races in New York (state)
1975 establishments in New York (state)
Flat horse races for three-year-olds
Ungraded stakes races in the United States
Recurring sporting events established in 1975
Aqueduct Racetrack