Jockey Club Gold Cup, Flower Bowl Shifted to Saratoga
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Horses race into the clubhouse turn at Saratoga Race Course
The New York Racing Association announced Feb. 19 the stakes schedule for the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses—including the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and the Flower Bowl Stakes (G1T), both previously run during the Belmont Park fall meet. The summer meet will open July 15 and conclude Sept. 6.
To accommodate the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl, the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) and the $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes (G3) will move from Saratoga to the Belmont fall meet.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl have drawn short fields in recent years at Belmont when contested in late September or early October.
"The Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl, which are 'Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In' races, are significant grade 1 events that will now anchor closing weekend of the 2021 Saratoga meet," said NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna. "Moving these races up in the calendar, and transitioning the Woodward back to its traditional home at Belmont Park, recognizes their importance to the schedule of world class horses pointing toward the Breeders’ Cup in early November. The addition of these races to the Saratoga stakes program should make for a thrilling final weekend of racing at the Spa."
Earlier this month, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that live sports and entertainment venues with a minimum reserved seating capacity of 10,000 will be permitted to re-open to a limited number of spectators beginning Feb. 23 with approval from the New York State Department of Health. All attendees must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event and adhere to health and safety requirements, including mandatory facial coverings and social distancing.
NYRA will continue to closely monitor New York State-issued regulations to determine how they impact Saratoga Race Course. Additional details on fan attendance and tickets for the 2021 summer meet will be provided as information becomes available.
Beginning in 2021, the use of furosemide, also known as Lasix or Salix, is prohibited within 48 hours of all stakes races conducted at NYRA tracks.
The 2021 summer meet, which will offer at least one stakes race every live racing day, will be highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 28 and the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 7, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.
The Saratoga meet will also include the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup and the $600,000 Flower Bowl Stakes, both previously run during the fall meet at Belmont Park. Last year both races were run for diminished purses of approximately $250,000 amid COVID-19.
The Jockey Club Gold Cup was worth $750,000 in 2019, while the Flower Bowl carried a $500,000 purse that year.
Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.
Whitney Day will feature three grade 1s, led by the Whitney at 1 1/8 miles offering an automatic berth to the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.
Completing the trio of top-level races on Whitney Day will be the $500,000 Longines Test Stakes (G1) for sophomore fillies and the $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1T), the second jewel of the Turf Triple series for sophomore males in its first running with grade 1 status. Whitney Day will also include the $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes (G2T) for older fillies and mares on turf, and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes.
Whitney weekend kicks off Aug. 6 with the $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T) for sophomore turf milers; the $200,000 Troy Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Ireland (G3T) for 4-year-olds and up going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf; and the $120,000 Alydar Stakes at 1 1/8 miles for older horses.
Whitney weekend concludes Aug. 8 with three stakes highlighted by the upgraded $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G3T), the second leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies. The Aug. 8 card will also include the $200,000 Adirondack Stakes (G2), a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies, and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes at a mile on turf for older fillies and mares.
New York-breds will take center stage Aug. 27, for New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes for state-breds worth a combined $1.15 million. The lucrative card is headlined by the $250,000 Albany Stakes, a nine-furlong test for sophomores. Also featured are a trio of $200,000 events in the Fleet Indian Stakes for sophomore fillies; the Funny Cide Stakes Presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for juvenile sprinters, and the Seeking the Ante Stakes for juvenile filly sprinters. Rounding out a special Empire State-bred slate are a pair of $150,000 turf contests with the West Point Handicap Presented by Trustco Bank for 3-year-olds and up and the Yaddo Stakes for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
The 152nd edition of the Travers is the centerpiece of a blockbuster day of racing Aug. 28. The 2021 Travers Day card will include seven stakes, including six grade 1s, offering $4.6 million in total purse money with automatic berths in the Breeders' Cup to the winner of the $750,000 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T), the $600,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), and the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1). The Sword Dancer is a qualifier for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), the Personal Ensign offers a berth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), and the Ballerina is a Breeders' Cup Challenge event for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
In addition, the Travers Day card will also include the $600,000 Forego Stakes (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and upward, and the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs. Rounding out the signature day at the Spa is the $400,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2T) for turf fillies and mares.
The traditional local prep for the Travers, the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), will be held July 31. It will be joined by the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1), a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up, and the $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. Closing out Jim Dandy weekend Aug. 1 is the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs.
Additional upgraded races for the Saratoga summer meet include the previously listed $200,000 Caress Stakes (G3T), a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares July 24, in addition to 20 stakes receiving a $20,000 boost to offer a $120,000 purse.
Opening day, July 15, will begin with a pair of graded stakes: the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old fillies and the $120,000 Quick Call Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-olds going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass.
Saratoga's first top-level race of 2021 is the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) for turf fillies and mares July 17. The following Saturday, July 24, will see the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) take center stage.
Among the other 20 grade 1s at the Spa will be the $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial (NSA-1) July 29, and the $150,000 New York Turf Writers Cup (NSA-1) Aug. 26 for steeplechasers; the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 21; and the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (G1T), an Aug. 14 qualifier for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1T) to be held on the same card as the $200,000 Saratoga Special presented by Miller Lite (G2).
Closing weekend of the Saratoga meet will feature a pair of top-level Breeders' Cup Challenge events previously held in the fall at Belmont with the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, a 10-furlong qualifier for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) for 3-year-olds and up, and the $600,000 Flower Bowl Stakes, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares pointing toward the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). These events anchor a Sept. 4 card that also includes the $250,000 Prioress Stakes (G2) and the $200,000 Saranac Stakes (G3T).
On Sept. 5, 2-year-old fillies will sprint seven furlongs in the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1).
Closing day will feature the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2T) as well as the prestigious $300,000 Hopeful Stakes (G1) for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 153rd Saratoga meeting.
| 2021 Saratoga Race Course Stakes Schedule | ||||||
| Date | Purse | Race | Grade | Age | Distance | Surface |
| July 15 | $150,000 | Schuylerville | G3 | F2YO | 6 Furlongs | Dirt |
| July 15 | $120,000 | Quick Call | G3 | 3YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf |
| July 16 | $150,000 | Forbidden Apple | G3 | 4&UP | 1 Mile | Turf |
| July 17 | $500,000 | Diana | G1 | F&M 4&UP | 1 1/8 Miles | Turf |
| July 17 | $150,000 | Sanford | G3 | 2YO | 6 Furlongs | Dirt |
| July 18 | $120,000 | Coronation Cup | F3YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| July 21 | $100,000 | Rick Violette | 2YO (NYB) | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| July 22 | $100,000 | Stillwater | F2YO (NYB) | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| July 23 | $150,000 | Lake George | G3 | F3YO | 1 Mile | Turf |
| July 24 | $500,000 | Coaching Club American Oaks | G1 | F3YO | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt |
| July 24 | $200,000 | Caress | G3 | F&M 4&UP | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf |
| July 25 | $200,000 | Shuvee | G3 | F&M 4&UP | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt |
| July 28 | $200,000 | Honorable Miss Handicap | G2 | F&M 3&UP | 6 Furlongs | Dirt |
| July 28 | $150,000 | Cab Calloway Division | 3YO (NYSSS) | 1 Mile | Turf | |
| July 29 | $150,000 | A. P. Smithwick Memorial | NSA-1 | 4&UP | 2 1/16 Miles | Turf |
| July 29 | $100,000 | John Morrissey Handicap | 3&UP (NYB) | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| July 30 | $120,000 | Curlin | 3YO (NW GSS Over 1 Mile in 2021) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| July 31 | $600,000 | Jim Dandy | G2 | 3YO | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt |
| July 31 | $350,000 | Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap | G1 | 3&UP | 6 Furlongs | Dirt |
| July 31 | $250,000 | Bowling Green | G2 | 4&UP | 1 3/8 Miles | Turf |
| August 1 | $200,000 | Amsterdam | G2 | 3YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 4 | $150,000 | Statue of Liberty Division | F3YO (NYSSS) | 1 Mile | Turf | |
| August 4 | $120,000 | Shine Again | F&M 4&UP (NW SS other than state bred) | 7 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| August 5 | $120,000 | Birdstone | 4&UP | 1 3/4 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 6 | $200,000 | National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame | G2 | 3YO | 1 Mile | Turf |
| August 6 | $200,000 | Troy | G3 | 4&UP | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf |
| August 6 | $120,000 | Alydar | 4&UP (NW SS other than state bred in 2021) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 7 | $1,000,000 | Whitney | G1 | 4&UP (BC Challenge) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt |
| August 7 | $1,000,000 | Saratoga Derby Invitational | G1 | 3YO | 1 3/16 Miles | Turf |
| August 7 | $500,000 | Longines Test | G1 | F3YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 7 | $250,000 | Glens Falls | G2 | F&M 4&UP | 1 1/2 Miles | Turf |
| August 7 | $120,000 | The Fasig-Tipton Lure | 4&UP (NW GSS in 2021) | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf | |
| August 8 | $700,000 | Saratoga Oaks Invitational | G3 | F3YO | 1 3/16 Miles | Turf |
| August 8 | $200,000 | Adirondack | G2 | F2YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 8 | $120,000 | The Fasig-Tipton De La Rose | F&M 4&UP (NW GSS in 2021) | 1 Mile | Turf | |
| August 11 | $100,000 | Evan Shipman Handicap | 3&UP | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 11 | $120,000 | Mahony | 3YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| August 12 | $100,000 | Saratoga Dew Handicap | F&M 3&UP (NYB) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 13 | $120,000 | Tale of the Cat | 4&UP (NW GSS in 2021) | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| August 14 | $500,000 | Fourstardave Handicap | G1 | 3&UP (BC Challenge) | 1 Mile | Turf |
| August 14 | $200,000 | Saratoga Special | G2 | 2YO | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 15 | $120,000 | Galway | F3YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| August 18 | $120,000 | Bolton Landing | F2YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| August 19 | $100,000 | Union Avenue Handicap | F&M 3&UP (NYB) | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| August 20 | $120,000 | Skidmore | 2YO | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| August 21 | $600,000 | Alabama | G1 | F3YO | 1 1/4 Miles | Dirt |
| August 21 | $200,000 | Lake Placid | G2 | F3YO | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf |
| August 21 | $120,000 | Smart N Fancy | F&M 4&UP | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| August 22 | $120,000 | Summer Colony | F&M 4&UP (NW GSS in 2021) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 25 | $120,000 | John's Call | 4&UP (NW GSS in 2021) | 1 5/8 Miles | Turf | |
| August 26 | $120,000 | Riskaverse | F3YO (NW SS at 1 Mile or Over) | 1 Mile | Turf | |
| August 26 | $150,000 | New York Turf Writers Cup | NSA-1 | 4&UP | 2 3/8 Miles | Turf |
| August 27 | $250,000 | Albany | 3YO (NYB) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 27 | $200,000 | Fleet Indian | F3YO (NYB) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt | |
| August 27 | $200,000 | Funny Cide | 2YO (NYB) | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| August 27 | $200,000 | Seeking the Ante | F2YO (NYB) | 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dirt | |
| August 27 | $150,000 | West Point Handicap | 3&UP (NYB) | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf | |
| August 27 | $150,000 | Yaddo Handicap | F&M 3&UP (NYB) | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf | |
| August 28 | $1,250,000 | Travers | G1 | 3YO | 1 1/4 Miles | Dirt |
| August 28 | $750,000 | Sword Dancer | G1 | 4&UP (BC Challenge) | 1 1/2 Miles | Turf |
| August 28 | $600,000 | Personal Ensign | G1 | F&M 4&UP (BC Challenge) | 1 1/8 Miles | Dirt |
| August 28 | $600,000 | Forego | G1 | 4&UP | 7 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 28 | $500,000 | Ballerina Handicap | G1 | F&M 3&UP (BC Challenge) | 7 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 28 | $500,000 | H. Allen Jerkens Memorial | G1 | 3YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt |
| August 28 | $400,000 | Ballston Spa | G2 | F&M 4&UP | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf |
| August 29 | $120,000 | Better Talk Now | 3YO (NW SS at 1 Mile or Over) | 1 Mile | Turf | |
| September 1 | $150,000 | With Anticipation | G3 | 2YO | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf |
| September 2 | $120,000 | P. G. Johnson | F2YO | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf | |
| September 3 | $120,000 | Lucky Coin | 4&UP (NW SS In 2021) | 5 1/2 Furlongs | Turf | |
| September 4 | $1,000,000 | Jockey Club Gold Cup | G1 | 3&UP (BC Challenge) | 1 1/4 Miles | Dirt |
| September 4 | $600,000 | Flower Bowl | G1 | F&M 4&UP (BC Challenge) | 1 3/8 Miles | Turf |
| September 4 | $250,000 | Prioress | G2 | F3YO | 6 Furlongs | Dirt |
| September 4 | $200,000 | Saranac | G3 | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf |
| September 5 | $300,000 | Spinaway | G1 | F2YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt |
| September 6 | $300,000 | Hopeful | G1 | 2YO | 7 Furlongs | Dirt |
| September 6 | $200,000 | Bernard Baruch Handicap | G2 | 3&UP | 1 1/16 Miles | Turf |
To view the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 summer meet, visit NYRA.com/stakes.