Just a Game Stakes explained

Surface:Turf
Class:Grade I
Horse Race:Just A Game Stakes
Location:Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated:1992
Race Type:Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website:NYRA
Distance:1 mile (8 furlongs)
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:Fillies & Mares, four-years-old and older
Weight:124lbs with allowances
Purse:US$500,000 (2021)

The Just A Game Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up run over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on the turf held annually in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of $500,000.

History

The race is named in honor of Peter Brant's filly, Just A Game, who was voted 1980 American Champion Female Turf Horse honors.

The event was inaugurated on Independence Day in 1992 and run over a distance of miles on a muddy dirt track, won by Lady Lear who defeated the Irish Bred favorite by a length in a time of 2:15.

The event was not held in 1993 but the next year the event was moved to the turf and run over a mile.[1]

The event was classified as a Grade III in 1997, upgraded to Grade II in 2004 and a Grade I in 2008.[1]

The event carried Breeders' Cup incentives between 1996 and 2005 which were reflected in the name of the event.[1]

Several mares have won this event who later became champions. The 2000 winner Perfect Sting later that year won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and was crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2004 British bred winner Intercontinental returned the following year only to get defeated into second place by Sand Springs but by the end of the season she made amends by winning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and also becoming the 2005 US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2015 winner Tepin continued en route to a Breeders' Cup Mile win and honored as 2015 US Champion Female Turf Horse.

In 2024 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[2]

Records

Speed record:

Margins:

Most wins:

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Saratoga – Just a Game Stakes
align=center 2024align=center 5Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownMadaket Stables, Michael Dubb & Michael E. Kisberalign=center 1 mile align=center 1:35.01align=center $500,000align=center I[3]
At Belmont Park
align=center 2023In Italian (GB)align=center 5Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownPeter M. Brantalign=center 1 mile align=center 1:34.00align=center $485,000align=center I[4]
align=center 2022Regal Gloryalign=center 6José OrtizChad C. BrownPeter M. Brantalign=center 1 mile align=center 1:32.00align=center $480,000align=center I[5]
align=center 2021Althiqa (GB)align=center 4Mike E. SmithCharlie ApplebyGodolphinalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.90align=center $500,000align=center I[6]
align=center 2020align=center 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownKlaravich Stablesalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:35.62align=center $250,000align=center I[7]
align=center 2019Rushing Fallalign=center 4Javier CastellanoChad C. Browne Five Racing Thoroughbredsalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:31.67align=center $671,000align=center I[8]
align=center 2018align=center 5Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Bethlehem Stablesalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.14align=center $700,000align=center I[9]
align=center 2017Antonoealign=center 4Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownJuddmonte Farmsalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.12align=center $687,000align=center I[10]
align=center 2016Celestinealign=center 4Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottJames Bryan, Jralign=center 1 milealign=center 1:31.64align=center $700,000align=center I[11]
align=center 2015Tepinalign=center 4Julien R. LeparouxMark E. CasseRobert E. Mastersonalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:35.65align=center $700,000align=center I[12]
align=center 2014Coffee Cliquealign=center 4Javier CastellanoBrian A. LynchAmerman Racingalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.52align=center $750,000align=center I[13]
align=center 2013Stephanie's Kittenalign=center 4John R. VelazquezWayne M. CatalanoKenneth and Sarah Ramseyalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:36.27align=center $500,000align=center I[14]
align=center 2012Tapitsflyalign=center 5Dale L. RomansFrank Jones Jr.align=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.34align=center $500,000align=center I[15]
align=center 2011C. S. Silkalign=center 5Javier CastellanoDale L. RomansWilliam Pacella, Fred Barbara & George Bonomo align=center 1 milealign=center 1:40.53align=center $400,000align=center I[16]
align=center 2010Proviso (GB)align=center 5Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottJuddmonte Farmsalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:34.09align=center $400,000align=center I[17]
align=center 2009Diamondrella (GB)align=center 5Rajiv MaraghAngel A. Penna Jr.Castletop Stablealign=center 1 milealign=center 1:36.49align=center $400,000align=center I[18]
align=center 2008Venturaalign=center 4Garrett K. GomezRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farmsalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.75align=center $400,000align=center I[19] [20]
align=center 2007My Typhoon (IRE)align=center 5Eddie CastroWilliam I. MottLive Oak Plantationalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:34.92align=center $294,000align=center II[21]
Just a Game Handicap
align=center 2006Gorella (FR)align=center 4Julien R. LeparouxMartin S. Schwartzalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:37.14align=center $285,000align=center II[22]
align=center 2005Sand Springsalign=center 5John R. VelazquezWilliam I. MottSangster Family Stablealign=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.05align=center $300,000align=center II[23]
align=center 2004§ Intercontinental (GB)align=center 4Jerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farmsalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.33align=center $226,333align=center II[24]
align=center 2003§ Marienskyalign=center 4José A. SantosChristophe ClementWaterville Lake Stablealign=center 1 milealign=center 1:43.28align=center $214,500align=center III[25]
align=center 2002Babae (CHI)align=center 6Jorge F. ChavezFrank A. AlexanderJoseph P. Platt Jr.align=center 1 milealign=center 1:34.57align=center $147,200align=center III[26]
align=center 2001License Feealign=center 6Pat DayW. Elliott WaldenWinstar Farmalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.62align=center $189,050align=center III[27]
align=center 2000Perfect Stingalign=center 4Jerry D. BaileyJoe OrsenoStronach Stablesalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:34.48align=center $165,800align=center III[28]
align=center 1999Cozy Bluesalign=center 5Jorge F. ChavezH. James BondSandy & Joanne Dewalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.33align=center $157,700align=center III[29]
align=center 1998Witchful Thinkingalign=center 4Chris McCarronLeslie R. Grimmalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.45align=center $157,325align=center III[30]
align=center 1997Memories of Silveralign=center 4Jerry D. BaileyJames J. TonerJoan & John Phillipsalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.90align=center $158,950align=center III[31]
align=center 1996† Caressalign=center 5Robbie DavisH. Allen JerkensHarbor View Farmalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:33.30align=center $158,150align=center Listed [32]
Just a Game Stakes
align=center 1995Caressalign=center 4Robbie DavisH. Allen JerkensHarbor View Farmalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.53align=center $82,000align=center Listed [33]
align=center 1994Elizabeth Bayalign=center 4Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottMohammed Al Maktoumalign=center 1 milealign=center 1:32.85align=center $55,550align=center Listed [34]
1993Race not held
align=center 1992Lady Learalign=center 5Gerry BrocklebankLinda L. RiceMark Weissalign=center milesalign=center 2:15.90align=center $78,900align=center Listed [35]

Legend:

Notes:
† In 1996, Class Kris finished first but was disqualified and set back to second
§ Ran as part of an entry

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Just a Game Stakes (Gr. 1) . Equibase.com . Equibase. 2020 . 26 June 2020.
  2. Web site: NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga . nyra.com . . 5 May 2024 . January 24, 2024.
  3. Web site: 2024 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10) . Equibase . 7 June 2024 . 8 June 2024.
  4. Web site: 2023 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4) . Equibase . 9 June 2023.
  5. Web site: 2022 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4) . Equibase . 11 June 2022.
  6. Web site: 2021 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 June 2021.
  7. Web site: 2020 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) . Equibase . 27 June 2020 . 29 June 2020.
  8. Web site: 2019 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 4) . Equibase . 8 June 2019 . 26 June 2020.
  9. Web site: 2018 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 9 June 2018 . 26 June 2020.
  10. Web site: 2017 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 10 June 2017 . 26 June 2020.
  11. Web site: 2016 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 11 June 2016 . 26 June 2020.
  12. Web site: 2015 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 6 June 2015 . 26 June 2020.
  13. Web site: 2014 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 7 June 2014 . 26 June 2020.
  14. Web site: 2013 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 8 June 2013 . 26 June 2020.
  15. Web site: 2012 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) . Equibase . 9 June 2012 . 26 June 2020.
  16. Web site: 2011 Foxwoods Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) . Equibase . 11 June 2011 . 26 June 2020.
  17. Web site: 2010 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 5 June 2010 . 26 June 2020.
  18. Web site: 2009 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 6 June 2009 . 26 June 2020.
  19. Web site: 2008 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) . Equibase . 7 June 2008 . 26 June 2020.
  20. Web site: The 2008 Just A Game Handicap . Bloodhorse.com.
  21. Web site: 2007 Just a Game Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7) . Equibase . 9 June 2007 . 26 June 2020.
  22. Web site: 2006 Just a Game Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7) . Equibase . 10 June 2006 . 26 June 2020.
  23. Web site: 2005 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7) . Equibase . 11 June 2005 . 26 June 2020.
  24. Web site: 2004 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8) . Equibase . 5 June 2004 . 26 June 2020.
  25. Web site: 2003 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8) . Equibase . 7 June 2003 . 26 June 2020.
  26. Web site: 2002 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7) . Equibase . 8 June 2002 . 26 June 2020.
  27. Web site: 2001 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7) . Equibase . 9 June 2001 . 26 June 2020.
  28. Web site: 2000 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5) . Equibase . 10 June 2000 . 26 June 2020.
  29. Web site: 1999 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5) . Equibase . 5 June 1999 . 26 June 2020.
  30. Web site: 1998 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 6) . Equibase . 6 June 1998 . 26 June 2020.
  31. Web site: 1997 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9) . Equibase . 8 June 1997 . 26 June 2020.
  32. Web site: 1996 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9) . Equibase . 9 June 1996 . 26 June 2020.
  33. Web site: 1995 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 9) . Equibase . 11 June 1995 . 26 June 2020.
  34. Web site: 1994 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 8) . Equibase . 15 June 1994 . 26 June 2020.
  35. Web site: 1992 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 7) . Equibase . 4 July 1992 . 26 June 2020.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Just a Game Stakes".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.