The Prioress Stakes is an American Grade II

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 ...

held annually during the eight-week meet 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 ...

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 ...

. Inaugurated in 1948 at

Jamaica Racetrack Jamaica Race Course, also called the Jamaica Racetrack, was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility operated by the Metropolitan Jockey Club in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. History The track opened on April 27, 1903, a day which feat ...

, it was raced there through 1959 after which it was hosted by Aqueduct Racetrack through 1986. It was run at Belmont Park from 1987 through 2011 before being moved to Saratoga Race Course in 2012, where it remains on the stakes schedule. The Prioress was named for the filly Prioress, out of the great mare

Reel A reel is an object around which a length of another material (usually long and flexible) is wound for storage (usually hose are wound around a reel). Generally a reel has a cylindrical core (known as a '' spool'') with flanges around the ends ...

, herself by Glencoe. In 1858, Prioress became the first American Thoroughbred ever to win in England. The Prioress Stakes was run in two divisions in 1951 and again in 1958. This race was downgraded to a Grade II for its 2014 running.http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/82327/eight-stakes-elevated-in-status-for-2014

Records

Speed record: * 1:08.26 – Xtra Heat (2001) Most wins by a jockey: * 4 –

John Velazquez John R. Velazquez (born November 24, 1971) is a Puerto Rican jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. He began his career in Puerto Rico and moved to New York in 1990. In 2004 and 2005 he was the United States Champion Jockey by earnings and both ye ...

(1994, 1996, 2002, 2008) Most wins by a trainer: * 3 –

Bob Baffert Robert A. Baffert (born January 13, 1953) is an American racehorse trainer who trained the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. Baffert's horses have won a record six Kentucky Derbies, seven Preakn ...

(2004, 2008, 2018) Most wins by an owner: * 3 – Happy Valley Farm (1970, 1986, 1988)

Winners

* † In 1966, Priceless Gem finished first but was disqualified and set back to last.

References

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External links

The Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park
Graded stakes races in the United States Grade 2 stakes races in the United States Horse races in New York (state) Flat horse races for three-year-old fillies Recurring sporting events established in 1948 Belmont Park Jamaica Race Course 1948 establishments in New York (state)