Athenia Stakes
SurfaceTurf
ClassListed
Horse raceAthenia Stakes
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1978 (as Athenia Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Distance1 1⁄8 miles
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, three-year-olds and older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs.
3-year-olds: 122 lbs.
PurseUS150,000 (2023)

The Athenia Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three-years-old and older run over at a distance of a mile and an eighth on the turf held annually in October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of US150,000.

History

The Athenia Stakes is named in honor of Hal Price Headley's filly Athenia, who won in 1946 the Ladies Handicap over the distance of 1 1⁄2 miles as well as the Misty Isle Handicap and Artful Handicap at Washington Park Race Track in Chicago.[1] Athenia also was the granddam of Sir Ivor, the 1968 Horse of the Year in the United Kingdom and Leading broodmare sire in Britain & Ireland in 1983.

The inaugural running of the event was on 13 September 1978 as The Athenia Handicap for three-year-old fillies at 1 1⁄4 miles in distance and was won by the Terpsichorist who was trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens and ridden by Michael Venezia in a time of 2:031⁄5.[2] The event continued to be restricted to three-year-old fillies until 1983.

In 1980 the event was classified as Grade III.[3] In 2005 the event was moved to the main track due to the inclement weather and consequently was downgraded.[3]

The race has been held at Aqueduct Racetrack several times with the last such running in 2004.[4]

The event was raced in split divisions in 1982 and 2001.[5]

The event has been contested at various distances over its history with the current distance of 1 1⁄8 miles being reinstated in 2021.[3]

The event in 2022 was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[6]

In 2023 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status[7]

Records

Speed record:

  • 1 1⁄16 miles: 1:39.94 – Pianist (2013)
  • 1 1⁄8 miles: 1:47.11 – Rapid Selection (1997)
  • 1 1⁄4 miles: 2:00.40 – Love Sign (1980), De La Rosa (1981)
  • 1 3⁄8 miles: 2:13.20 – Capades (1989)

Margins:

  • 20 lengths – Rose Crescent (1983)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Babae (2001, 2002)

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 10 – Chad C. Brown (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Aqueduct – Athenia Stakes
2025Whiskey Decision4Flavien PratChad C. BrownFrederick Hertrich III & John D. Fielding1 1⁄8 miles1:48.60$150,000Listed[8]
2024Child of the Moon (FR)4Manuel FrancoChad C. BrownMadaket Stables, Michael Dubb, & Louis Lazzinnaro1 1⁄8 miles1:48.63$150,000Listed[9]
2023Technical Analysis (IRE)5Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownKlaravich Stables1 1⁄8 miles1:49.20$150,000Listed[10]
2022Love And Thunder (IRE)5Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownJohn D. Gunther & Tanya Gunther1 1⁄8 miles1:50.07$169,750III[11]
At Belmont Park
2021Pocket Squares (GB)4Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownJuddmonte Farms1 1⁄8 miles1:51.19$194,000III[12]
2020Tapit Today5Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownWilliam H. Lawrence & Bradley Thoroughbreds1 1⁄16 miles1:42.56$100,000III[13]
2019Xenobia (IRE)5John R. VelazquezJonathan ThomasAugustin Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:41.21$200,000III[14]
2018Rymska (FR)4Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownSheep Pond Partners, Alain Jathiere, Thomas Coleman & Elayne Stables1 1⁄16 miles1:41.59$200,000III[15]
2017Off Limits (IRE)5Joel RosarioChad C. BrownMartin S. Schwartz1 1⁄16 miles1:41.73$200,000III[16]
2016Roca Rojo (IRE)4Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownSheep Pond Partners, Newport Stables & Bradley Thoroughbreds1 1⁄16 miles1:43.20$200,000III[17]
2015Stellar Path (FR)4Joel RosarioChristophe ClementTrevor C. Stewart1 1⁄16 miles1:43.41$200,000III[18]
2014La Tia5Joel RosarioArmando De La CerdaSalvador Hernandez1 1⁄16 miles1:43.36$200,000III[19]
2013Pianist4Jose L. OrtizChad C. BrownHidden Brook Farm & Dan Zucker1 1⁄16 miles1:39.94$200,000III[20]
2012La Cloche5Junior AlvaradoJames J. TonerPhillips Racing Partnership1 1⁄16 miles1:45.15$150,000III[21]
2011Denomination5Joe BravoChristophe ClementGhislaine Head1 1⁄16 miles1:44.17$100,000III[22]
2010Eye of Taurus4Eddie CastroKiaran P. McLaughlinHarvey A. Clarke1 1⁄16 miles1:47.04$100,000III[23]
2009Belle Allure (IRE)4Ramon A. DominguezChristophe ClementRonchalon Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:43.30$106,500III[24]
Athenia Handicap
2008Sunshine for Life4Channing HillRichard E. SchosbergJane M. Schosberg1 1⁄16 miles1:41.55$110,300III[25]
2007Criminologist4John R. VelazquezClaude R. McGaughey IIIStuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:45.09$109,100III[26]
2006Pommes Frites4Jose A. SantosWilliam I. MottHaras Santa Maria de Araras1 1⁄16 miles1:42.95$112,300III[27]
2005Asti (IRE)4Jorge F. ChavezH. Allen JerkensH. Joseph Allen1 1⁄16 miles1:42.57$111,300ListedOff turf[28]
At Aqueduct
2004Finery4Pablo FragosoWilliam H. Turner Jr.Althea D. Richards1 1⁄16 miles1:43.73$115,700III[29]
2003Caught in the Rain4Richard MiglioreGuadalupe PreciadoHeiligbrodt Stable & Walter L. New1 1⁄16 miles1:47.00$113,000III[30]
2002Babae (CHI)6Jorge F. ChavezFrank A. AlexanderJoseph Platt Jr.1 1⁄16 miles1:44.90$116,700III[31]
At Belmont Park
2001Verruma (BRZ)5John R. VelazquezAngel A. Penna Jr.Earle I. Mack & Jael Barros1 1⁄16 miles1:40.40$137,875IIIDivision 1[32]
Babae (CHI)5Jorge F. ChavezFrank A. AlexanderJoseph Platt Jr.1:42.09$137,875Division 2[33]
At Aqueduct
2000Wild Heart Dancing4Jorge F. ChavezEugene F. Brajczewski Jr.My Jo Lee Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:43.40$112,500III[34]
1999Antoniette4Jorge F. ChavezJoseph P. SchlichCalumet Farm1 1⁄16 miles1:41.89$111,400III[35]
1998Tampico5Joe BravoBarclay TaggRonald G. Cullis1 1⁄16 miles1:42.90$85,350III[36]
At Belmont Park
1997Rapid Selection4Joe BravoLinda L. RiceClyde D. Rice1 1⁄8 miles1:47.11$109,900III[37]
1996Sixieme Sens4Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelThree Plus U Stable1 mile1:37.80$111,100III[38]
At Aqueduct
1995Caress4Robbie DavisH. Allen JerkensHarbor View Farm1 1⁄8 miles1:54.18$113,900IIIOff turf[39]
1994Lady Affirmed3Jorge F. ChavezH. Allen JerkensHarbor View Farm1 1⁄8 miles1:48.66$87,076III[40]
At Belmont Park
1993Trampoli4Mike E. SmithChristophe ClementPaul de Moussac1 3⁄8 miles2:17.16$90,000III[41]
1992Fairy Garden4Julie KroneRoger L. AttfieldMichael J. Ryan1 3⁄8 miles2:13.62$86,700III[42]
1991Flaming Torch (IRE)4Pat ValenzuelaRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms1 3⁄8 miles2:13.99$93,000III[43]
1990Buy the Firm4Jerry D. BaileyJose A. MartinThomas Mara1 3⁄8 miles2:18.20$87,750IIIOff turf[44]
1989Capades3Angel Cordero Jr.Richard O'ConnellPoma Stable1 3⁄8 miles2:13.20$90,800III[45]
1988High Browser3Pat DayMacKenzie MillerRokeby Stables1 3⁄8 miles2:18.60$96,300III[46]
1987Lead Kindly Light4Julio Molina PezuaAngel A. Penna Jr.Cynthia Phipps1 3⁄8 miles2:23.80$94,800III[47]
1986Dawn's Curtsey4Eddie MapleJohn M. VeitchDarby Dan Farm1 3⁄8 miles2:16.00$92,400III[48]
1985Videogenic3Jean CruguetGasper S. MoscheraAlbert Davis1 3⁄8 miles2:15.40$101,700III[49]
1984Key Dancer3Angel Cordero Jr.William J. Hirsch Jr.Oxford Stable1 3⁄8 miles2:14.80$94,500III[50]
1983Rose Crescent3Robbie DavisMacKenzie MillerRokeby Stables1 3⁄8 miles2:22.00$57,300III[51]
At Aqueduct – for 3YO fillies
1982Mintage (FR)3Jean-Luc SamynPhilip G. JohnsonMeadowhill1 3⁄8 miles2:17.80$54,650IIIDivision 1[52]
Middle Stage3Jimmy J. MirandaJohn P. CampoBuckland Farm2:17.40$54,650Division 2[53]
At Belmont Park – for 3YO fillies
1981De La Rose3Eddie MapleWoodford C. StephensHenryk de Kwiatkowski1 1⁄4 miles2:00.40$85,200III[54]
1980Love Sign3Ruben HernandezSidney J. Watters Jr.Stephen C. Clark Jr.1 1⁄4 miles2:00.40$84,150III[55]
1979Poppycock3Jorge VelasquezWoodford C. StephensClaiborne Farm1 1⁄4 miles2:03.60$87,450Off turf[56]
1978Terpsichorist3Michael VeneziaWoodford C. StephensHickory Tree Stable1 1⁄4 miles2:03.20$55,500[2]

Legend:

:See also

References

  1. ^ "List of Winners named Athenia". 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Racing Section (1978 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 13 September 1978)". Shreveport Journal. The Associated Press. 14 September 1978. p. 30. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Athenia Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. ^ "ATHENIA STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  5. ^ "ATHENIA STAKES (2ND. DIV.) - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  6. ^ Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "NYRA Shifts Belmont Fall Meet to Aqueduct Change will allow construction of infield tunnel, redevelopment plan to begin.". Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  7. ^ "American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023.". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  8. ^ "2025 Athenia Stakes Listed - (race 4)". Equibase. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  9. ^ "2024 Athenia Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 19 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  10. ^ "2023 Athenia Stakes Listed - (race 7)". Equibase. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  11. ^ "2022 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  12. ^ "2021 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  13. ^ "2020 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  14. ^ "2019 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  15. ^ "2018 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  16. ^ "2017 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  17. ^ "2016 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  18. ^ "2015 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  19. ^ "2014 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  20. ^ "2013 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  21. ^ "2012 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  22. ^ "2011 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  23. ^ "2010 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  24. ^ "2009 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  25. ^ "2008 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  26. ^ "2007 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  27. ^ "2006 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  28. ^ "2005 Athenia Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  29. ^ "2004 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 31 October 2004. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  30. ^ "2003 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 November 2003. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  31. ^ "2002 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 November 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  32. ^ "2001 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 Division 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  33. ^ "2001 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 Division 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  34. ^ "2000 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 October 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  35. ^ "1999 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 31 October 1999. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  36. ^ "1998 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 November 1998. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  37. ^ "1997 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 October 1997. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  38. ^ "1996 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 October 1996. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  39. ^ "1995 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 November 1995. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  40. ^ "1994 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 October 1994. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  41. ^ "1993 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 1993. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  42. ^ "1992 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 1992. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  43. ^ "1991 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 October 1991. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Buy The Firm wins Belmont 4-horse race (1990 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 13 October 1990)". Press and Sun-Bulletin. Associated Press. 14 October 1990. p. 19. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  45. ^ "Capades captures Athenia (1989 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 9 October 1989)". Asbury Park Press. Associated Press. 10 October 1989. p. 41. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  46. ^ "High Browser wins Belmont feature (1988 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 10 October 1988)". Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. 11 October 1988. p. 27. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  47. ^ "Thoroughbred Racing (1987 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 12 October 1987)". The Courier-Journal. 13 October 1987. p. 39. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  48. ^ "Belmont Park Racing Charts (1986 Athenia Handicap – race 7: held 18 October 1986)". New York Daily News. 19 October 1986. p. 164. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  49. ^ "Belmont Park Racing Charts (1985 Athenia Handicap – race 7: held 19 October 1985)". White Plains Journal News. The Associated Press. 20 October 1985. p. 64. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  50. ^ "Cordero, Key Dancer waltz away with Athenia (1984 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 7 October 1984)". Hackensack Record. The Record's Wire Services. 20 October 1984. p. 67. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  51. ^ "Rose Crescent wins Athenia (1983 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 2 October 1983)". New York Daily News. 3 October 1983. p. 111. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  52. ^ "Mintage, Middle Stage win in Aqueduct's Athenia (1982 Athenia Handicap Division 1 – race 6: held 13 October 1980)". The Miami News. The Associated Press. 14 October 1980. p. 38. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  53. ^ "Rain greets Aqueduct (1982 Athenia Handicap Division 2 – race 8: held 13 October 1980)". The Herald Statesman. The Associated Press. 14 October 1980. p. 31. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  54. ^ Gaffer, Wes (13 October 1981). "De la Rose wins; set for Canada (1981 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 12 October 1981)". New York Daily News. p. 65. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  55. ^ "Love Sign wins Athenia on Belmont turf course (1980 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 1 October 1980)". The Miami News. The Associated Press. 2 October 1980. p. 53. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  56. ^ "Poppycock wins Athenia Handicap (1979 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 1 October 1979)". The Miami News. The Associated Press. 2 October 1979. p. 19. Retrieved 20 October 2020.