Pilgrim Stakes
SurfaceTurf
ClassGrade II
Horse racePilgrim Stakes
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1979 (at Aqueduct Racetrack)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Distance1 1⁄16 miles
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationTwo-year-olds
Weight122 lbs with allowances
Purse$200,000 (2021)
BonusesWinner receives automatic entrance to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

The Pilgrim Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds over a distance of 1 1⁄16 miles on the turf track scheduled annually in late September at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $200,000.

History

The event was inaugurated on 29 October 1979 at Aqueduct Racetrack and was run over the 1 1⁄8 mile distance in split divisions as the sixth[1] and eighth race[2] on the card that day.

The race is named for Joseph E. Widener's horse, Pilgrim,[3] winner of the 1919 Remsen Stakes.

In 1982 the event was classified as Grade III, upgraded to Grade II in 1988 for two runnings before being downgraded to Grade III.[4] From 2001–2007 the race was not graded as in 2009 when the event was moved off the turf track due to the inclement weather and held over a shorter one mile distance.[5]

The event was run in two divisions in the above mentioned inaugural 1979 and again in 1983.[6]

The distance of the event has been changed several times but since 2010 the event has been run over the current distance of 1 1⁄16 miles.[4]

The race was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series from 2008 to 2010, when the winner automatically qualified for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

The event was upgraded to a Grade III event in 2020.[7]

In 2022 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[8]

Records

Speed record:

  • 1 1⁄16 miles: 1:41.04 – Annapolis (2021)
  • 1 1⁄8 miles: 1:48.02 – Volponi (2000)

Margins:

  • 12 lengths – Diplomatic Jet (1994)

Most wins by an owner:

  • 2 – Live Oak Racing (1981, 2001)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Aqueduct – Pilgrim Stakes
2025BottasManuel FrancoMiguel ClementDahman1 1⁄16 miles1:42.63$200,000II[9]
2024Zulu Kingdom (IRE)Joel RosarioChad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables, William Strauss & Michael J. Caruso1 1⁄16 miles1:48.67$200,000II[10]
2023Agate RoadIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable & St. Elias Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:42.83$200,000II[11]
2022Major DudeIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherSpendthrift Farm1 1⁄16 miles1:46.60$200,000II[12]
At Belmont Park
2021AnnapolisIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherBass Racing1 1⁄16 miles1:41.04$186,000II[13]
2020Fire At WillKendrick CarmoucheMichael J. MakerThree Diamonds Farm1 1⁄16 miles1:43.46$150,000II[14]
2019StructorIrad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownJeff Drown & Don Rachel1 1⁄16 miles1:41.46$200,000III[15]
2018Forty UnderManuel FrancoJeremiah C. EnglehartAugust Dawn Farm1 1⁄16 miles1:44.37$200,000III[16]
2017SeabhacLuis SaezTodd A. PletcherDonegal Racing1 1⁄16 miles1:43.48$200,000III[17]
2016Oscar PerformanceJosé L. OrtizBrian A. LynchAmerman Racing (Jerry & Joan Amerman)1 1⁄16 miles1:42.88$200,000III[18]
2015IsothermJose LezcanoGeorge WeaverMatthew Schera1 1⁄16 miles1:41.98$200,000III[19]
2014ImperiaJavier CastellanoKiaran P. McLaughlinGodolphin Racing1 1⁄16 miles1:41.36$200,000III[20]
2013Bobby's KittenJavier CastellanoChad C. BrownKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1 1⁄16 miles1:42.37$200,000III[21]
2012Noble TuneRamon A. DominguezChad C. BrownMartin S. Schwartz & Dell Ridge Farm1 1⁄16 miles1:47.81$150,000III[22]
2011Shkspeare ShaliyahAlex O. SolisDoodnauth ShivmangalShivmangal Racing Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:51.59$100,000III[23]
2010Air SupportRajiv MaraghClaude R. McGaughey IIIStuart S. Janney III1 1⁄16 miles1:47.87$147,500III[24]
2009EskendereyaJavier CastellanoTodd A. PletcherZayat Stables1 mile1:37.85$152,500ListedOff turf[25]
2008Elusive BluffMichael C. BazeEric J. GuillotSouthern Equine Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:47.91$156,800III[26]
2007The LeopardJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherDerrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor1 1⁄16 miles1:41.61$81,000Listed[27]
2006PickapocketEibar CoaFrank A. AlexanderMartin Cherry1 1⁄8 miles1:52.62$85,925Listed[28]
2005Fagan's LegacyJoe BravoKelly J. BreenGeorge & Lori Hall1 1⁄8 miles1:52.11$82,575ListedOff turf[29]
2004Crown PointJose L. EspinozaDavid G. DonkDrumlanrig Farm1 1⁄8 miles1:50.31$82,875Listed[30]
2003TimoJohn R. VelazquezWilliam Badgett Jr.C. K. Woods Stable1 1⁄8 miles1:57.46$82,525Listed[31]
At Aqueduct
2002One ColonyAaron GryderMark A. HennigEdward P. Evans1 1⁄8 miles1:51.00$82,950ListedOff turf[32]
2001Miesque's ApprovalJerry D. BaileyWilliam I. MottLive Oak Racing1 1⁄8 miles1:50.80$83,475Listed[33]
At Belmont Park
2000VolponiJohn R. VelazquezPhilip G. JohnsonAmherst & Spruce Pond1 1⁄8 miles1:48.02$113,300III[34]
1999Kachemak BayJohn R. VelazquezJohn P. Campo Jr.Evelyn M. Pollard1 1⁄8 miles1:54.67$111,600III[35]
1998Incurable OptimistJohn R. VelazquezDavid G. DonkJohn T. & Theresa E. Behrendt1 1⁄8 miles1:48.05$108,100III[36]
At Aqueduct
1997§ Cryptic RascalMike E. SmithWilliam Badgett Jr.Landon Knight1 1⁄8 miles1:50.83$115,700III[37]
At Belmont Park
1996AcceleratorMike E. SmithClaude R. McGaughey IIIOgden Mills Phipps1 1⁄16 miles1:41.80$113,800IIIOff turf[38]
At Aqueduct
1995Play It Again StanHerb McCauleyFrank A. Generazio Jr.Sybil Lauren1 1⁄16 miles1:50.20$115,900III[39]
At Belmont Park
1994Diplomatic JetJerry D. BaileyPhilip M. SerpeFred W. Hooper1 1⁄16 miles1:46.67$82,076III[40]
1993§ Dove HuntJerry D. BaileyNeil J. HowardWilliam S. Farish III1 1⁄16 miles1:44.60$122,600III[41]
1992§ AwadJulie KroneDavid G. DonkRyehill Stable1 1⁄16 miles1:42.60$127,000III[42]
1991Smiling and DancinRichard MiglioreStephen L. DiMauroRobert J. Sullivan1 1⁄16 miles1:41.20$122,800III[43]
At Aqueduct
1990Fourstars AllstarMike E. SmithLeo O'BrienRichard Bromze1 1⁄8 miles1:51.60$90,000III[44]
1989Super MarioRichard MiglioreD. Wayne LukasH. Joseph Allen1 1⁄8 miles1:56.00$126,800II[45]
1988Tuneful TipCarl GambardellaRonald J. DandyFrank Generazio1 1⁄8 miles1:59.00$132,200II[46]
1987Blew by EmChris AntleyMichael H. DaggettJoseph B. Singer1 1⁄8 miles1:53.60$92,850III[47]
1986§ David's BirdJean-Luc SamynPhilip G. JohnsonSugar Maple Farm1 1⁄8 miles1:53.00$97,950III[48]
1985PillasterÁngel Cordero Jr.LeRoy JolleyPeter M. Brant1 1⁄8 miles1:54.40$89,550III[49]
1984Tent UpVincent Bracciale Jr.John W. HicksGeoffrey A. Huguely1 1⁄8 miles1:53.20$94,500III[50]
1983Pied A' TierreLarry SaumellRonald L. BenshoffBlanche P. Levy1 1⁄8 miles1:51.40$54,700III†Division 1[51]
VisionEddie MapleWoodford C. StephensClaiborne Farm1:50.20$54,700†Division 2[52]
1982FortnightlyÁngel Cordero Jr.Edward I. Kelly Jr.Bwamazon Farm1 1⁄8 miles1:57.60$85,800III[53]
1981Gnome's GoldJean-Luc SamynPatrick J. KellyLive Oak Racing1 1⁄8 miles1:57.20$84,300[54]
1980AkureyriEddie MapleWoodford C. StephensHickory Tree Stable1 1⁄8 miles1:54.80$58,400[55]
1979FreeoSam MapleJoseph B. CanteyLoblolly Stable1 1⁄8 miles1:53.00$42,850Division 1[1]
I Take AllÁngel Cordero Jr.Edward I. Kelly Sr.Brookfield Farm1:52.40$43,050Division 2[2]

Legend:


Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† Both divisions of the event were moved off the turf and onto the main track due to the inclement weather

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

  1. ^ "Freeo, I Take All capture divisions of Pilgrim Stakes (1979 Pilgrim Stakes Division 1 – race 6: held 29 October 1979)". Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. 30 October 1979. p. 34. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Pilgrim on Rocks (1979 Pilgrim Stakes Division 2 – race 8: held 29 October 1979)". New York Daily News. 30 October 1979. pp. 208, 209. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  3. ^ "PILGRIM (USA) b. G, 1917 Career Earnings: $24,409". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Pilgrim Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ "PILGRIM STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  6. ^ "PILGRIM STAKES (2ND. DIV.) - AQUEDUCT, NY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  7. ^ Schweigardt, Andrew (2019). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2020". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "2025 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  10. ^ "2024 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 11)". Equibase. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  11. ^ "2023 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  12. ^ "2022 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  13. ^ "2021 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  14. ^ "2020 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  15. ^ "2019 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  16. ^ "2018 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  17. ^ "2017 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  18. ^ "2016 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 October 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  19. ^ "2015 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  20. ^ "2014 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  21. ^ "2013 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  22. ^ "2012 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  23. ^ "2011 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  24. ^ "2010 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  25. ^ "2009 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 October 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  26. ^ "2008 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  27. ^ "2007 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 4)". Equibase. 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  28. ^ "2006 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 22 October 2006. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  29. ^ "2005 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  30. ^ "2004 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  31. ^ "2003 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 19 October 2003. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  32. ^ "2002 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  33. ^ "2001 Pilgrim Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 6 November 2001. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  34. ^ "2000 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 22 October 2000. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  35. ^ "1999 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 October 1999. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  36. ^ "1998 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 25 October 1998. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  37. ^ "1997 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 31 October 1997. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  38. ^ "1996 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 20 October 1996. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  39. ^ "1995 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 11 November 1995. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  40. ^ "1994 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 25 September 1994. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  41. ^ "1993 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 October 1993. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  42. ^ "1992 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 October 1992. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  43. ^ "1991 Pilgrim Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 1991. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  44. ^ "Fourstars Allstar rallies, prevails (1990 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 31 October 1990)". Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. 1 November 1990. p. 38. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  45. ^ "Super Mario still unbeaten (1989 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 5 November 1989 )". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Associated Press. 6 November 1989. p. 38. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  46. ^ "Tuneful Tip takes Pilgrim (1988 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 6 November 1988)". New York Daily News. 7 November 1988. p. 202. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Blew by Em just does that in Pilgrim (1987 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 31 October 1987)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 1 November 1987. p. 21. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  48. ^ "David's Bird wins Pilgrim (1986 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 2 November 1986)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 3 November 1986. p. 40. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  49. ^ "Pillaster a decisive winner in $89,550 Pilgrim Stakes (1985 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 9 November 1985)". Hackensack Record. 10 November 1985. p. 75. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  50. ^ "Tent Up wins Pilgrim Stakes (1984 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 4 November 1984)". Asbury Park Press. Associated Press. 5 November 1984. p. 61. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  51. ^ O'Day, Joe (20 October 1983). "Pied A' Tierre, Vision win in Big A Opener (1983 Pilgrim Stakes Division 1 – race 7: held 19 October 1983)". New York Daily News. p. 131. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Pied A' Tierre, Vision share Pilgram Stakes (1983 Pilgrim Stakes Division 2 – race 8: held 19 October 1983)". White Plains Journal News. Associated Press. 20 October 1983. p. 22. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Fortnightly takes Pilgrim (1982 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 25 October 1982)". New York Daily News. Associated Press. 26 October 1982. p. 61. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  54. ^ "Gnome's Gold takes Pilgrim Purse (1981 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 26 October 1981)". Tampa Tribune. Associated Press. 27 October 1981. p. 50. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  55. ^ "Akureyri surprise winner in Pilgrim Stakes at Aqueduct (1980 Pilgrim Stakes – race 8: held 27 October 1980)". Miami News. Associated Press. 28 October 1980. p. 50. Retrieved 2 September 2020.