| Class: | Restricted |
| Horse Race: | Mike Lee Stakes |
| Location: | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, USA |
| Inaugurated: | 1980 |
| Race Type: | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Distance: | miles (7 furlongs) |
| Surface: | Dirt |
| Track: | left-handed |
| Qualification: | Three-year-olds, New York-bred |
| Weight: | 124lbs with allowances |
| Purse: | US$125,000 (2023) |
The Mike Lee Stakes is the first leg of the "Big Apple Triple", a grouping of three races in New York state for New York .[1] A horse who wins all three of the Big Apple Triple wins the purse total of $400,000 plus a $250,000 bonus.[2] The second leg is the New York Derby held at Finger Lakes Racetrack and the third leg is the Albany Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course. The series began in 1999.
The Mike Lee is held at Belmont Park in the spring and is open to three-year-olds of either gender running at 7 furlongs. It currently offers a purse of $125,000. Although it is not restricted to registered New York breds, due to the racing conditions, it's still not an open race.
This race was run as the New York City OTB Big Apple Handicap prior to 1988, but in 1989 was named for Mike Lee, the former sports editor with the Long Island Press for over 40 years. The race was run as the Mike Lee Handicap through 1995.
In 2008, Tin Cup Chalice won the first Big Apple Triple by taking the Albany Stakes, the New York Derby, and the Mike Lee Handicap.[3]
Time record:
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. | Time | Win$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Maker's Candy | Jose Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | Paradise Farms Corp, David Staudacher, Maxis Stable and John Huber | 7 F | 1:23.35 | $68,750 |
| 2020 | Captain Bombastic | Luis Saez | Jeremiah Englehart | Team Hanley | 7 F | 1:21.94 | $55,000 |
| 2019 | Blindwillie McTell | José Ortiz | Linda Rice | Jerold Zaro | 7 F | 1:21.53 | $68,750 |
| 2018 | Analyze the Odds | Junior Alvarado | Jason Servis | Michael Dubb | 7 F | 1:22.58 | $75,000 |
| 2017 | T Loves a Fight | Kendrick Carmouche | Michael E. Hushion | Hoffman Thoroughbreds | 7 F | 1:25.06 | $75,000 |
| 2016 | Bust Another | Eric Cancel | Michael V. Pino | Bing Cherry Racing | 7 F | 1:23.94 | $75,000 |
| 2015 | Ostrolenka | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Eric Fein and Christopher McKenna | 7 F | 1:23.65 | $75,000 |
| 2014 | Captain Serious | José Ortiz | Michael E. Hushion | Barry K. Schwartz | 7 F | 1:20.99 | $75,000 |
| 2013 | Amberjack | Junior Alvarado | Michael E. Hushion | Peachtree Stable | 7 F | 1:21.64 | $75,000 |
| 2012 | Willy Beamin | Michael J. Luzzi | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | James A. Riccio | 7 F | 1:22.44 | $75,000 |
| 2011 | Preachintothedevil | Jose Lezcano | Gary C. Contessa | Crossed Sabres Farm | 7 F | 1:22.44 | $60,000 |
| 2010 | Friend Or Foe | Rajiv Maragh | John C. Kimmel | Chester & Mary Broman | 7 F | 1:21.68 | $60,000 |
| 2009 | Legal Consent | Ramon A. Dominguez | Carlos F. Martin | Lansdon B. Robbins, III | 7 F | 1:24.72 | $63,300 |
| 2008 | Tin Cup Chalice | Pedro A. Rodriguez | Michael A. LeCesse | Michael A. Lecesse | 7 F | 1:24.12 | $65,820 |
| 2007 | Chief's Lake | Garrett K. Gomez | Steven M. Asmussen | Vinery Stable | 7 F | 1:23.14 | $64,620 |
| 2006 | Ferocious Won | Edgar S. Prado | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Sanford Goldfarb, Ira Davis, et al. | 7 F | 1:24.84 | $66,180 |
| 2005 | Naughty New Yorker | Jean-Luc Samyn | Patrick J. Kelly | Fox Ridge Farm, Inc. | 7 F | 1:23.05 | $64,800 |
| 2004 | Multiplication | Edgar S. Prado | Robert A. Baffert | James McIngvale | 7 F | 1:22.56 | $68,340 |
| 2003 | Bossanova | Edgar S. Prado | H. James Bond | Lorraine & Rod Rodriguez | 7 F | 1:22.93 | $70,200 |
| 2002 | No Parole | Shaun Bridgmohan | Joseph A. Aquilino | Thomas N. Mina | 7 F | 1:22.60 | $73,220 |
| 2001 | Solar Deputy | Edgar S. Prado | H. James Bond | James F. Edwards | 7 F | 1:23.79 | $84,100 |
| 2000 | Image Maker | Jorge F. Chavez | H. James Bond | James F. Edwards | 7 F | 1:23.77 | $74,520 |
| 1999 | Hearts At Risk | Robbie Davis | Richard E. Schosberg | Albert Fried Jr. | 7 F | 1:23.55 | $51,390 |
| 1998 | Chasin' Wimmin | Jerry D. Bailey | John O. Hertler | Seymour Cohn | 7 F | 1:24.47 | $32,850 |
| 1997 | Say Florida Sandy | Richard Migliore | Robert M. Triola | Sanford Bacon | 7 F | 1:22.33 | $32,910 |
| 1996 | Carrbine Special | Robbie Davis | Angel A. Penna Jr. | Tri County Stable | 7 F | 1:24.24 | $33,210 |
| 1995 | Endsaseeket | Richard Migliore | Robert J. Reinacher Jr. | A Y Line Stable/Vogel | 7 F | 1:24.74 | $33,300 |
| 1994 | Scarlet Rage | Robbie Davis | Richard O'Connell | Very Un Stable | 7 F | 1:23.06 | $33,870 |
| 1993 | Classi Envoy | Chris Antley | Robert A. Barbara | Sabine Stable | 8 F | 1:37.20 | $43,200 |
| 1992 | Montreal Marty | Julie Krone | Flint S. Schulhofer | Vendome Stable | 8 F | 1:35.54 | $74,400 |
| 1991 | Ambassador in Love | Jorge F. Chavez | Gary J. Sciacca | Constantine P. Beler | 8 F | 1:38.08 | $74,640 |
| 1990 | The Professor | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Team Clover Stable | 8 F | 1:36.80 | $71,400 |
| 1989 | J.R.'s Gift | Jerry D. Bailey | Herold O. Whylie | Regis Hunter | 8 F | 1:35.60 | $72,960 |
| 1988 | Notebook | José A. Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 8 F | 1:34.00 | $68,640 |
| 1987 | Peggy's Dream | Richard Migliore | Stephen W. Schaeffer Jr. | Margaret Smythe | 8 F | 1:36.40 | $42,900 |
| 1986 | Landing Plot | Juan C. Estrada | Arthur Wendell | Triad Stables | 8 F | 1:36.20 | $44,340 |
| 1985 | Gallop Rhythm | Nick Santagata | William Ryan | Henry C. Miederich | 8 F | 1:38.20 | $43,020 |
| 1984 | Talc Duster | Kenny Skinner | William E. Burch | James F. Edwards | 8 F | 1:36.60 | $43,320 |
| 1983 | Father Don Juan | Frank Lovato Jr. | Stephen A. DiMauro | Mrs. Stephen A. DiMauro | 8 F | 1:36.40 | $33,660 |
| 1982 | Majestic Kat | Mary L. Russ | Roger Laurin | Lions Head Farm | 8 F | 1:37.00 | $33,300 |
| 1981 | Adirondack Holme | Ruben Hernandez | Ramon M. Hernandez | Assunta Louis Farm | 8 F | 1:37.80 | $34,200 |
| 1980 | Screenland | Jean-Luc Samyn | H. Allen Jerkens | Earle I. Mack | 8 F | 1:37.80 | $32,280 |