The Victory Ride Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies run at a distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs on the dirt held annually in late June or early July at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

History

The race is named in honor of Victory Ride, winner of the Grade I Test Stakes in 2001.

The event was inaugurated on 23 August 2003 and was held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York over a distance of six furlongs. The event was won by the D. Wayne Lukas trained Country Romance in a time of 1:09.62.

The race was ungraded for its first three editions and was upgraded to Grade III in 2006.

Since 2012, the event has been run at Belmont Park in early July. The race was run at 6 furlongs until 2013, when it was increased to 6+1⁄2 furlongs.

In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.

In 2025 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack as part of the July 4th weekend meeting.

Records

Speed record:

  • 6+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:14.47 – Frank's Rockette (2020)
  • 6 furlongs: 1:08.89 – Emma's Encore (2012)

Margins:

  • 9+1⁄4 lengths – La Traviata (2007)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

  • No trainer has won this race more than once.

Most wins by an owner:

  • No owner has won this race more than once.

Winners

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
At Saratoga
2025Echo SoundLuis SaezGeorge R. Arnold IIGabriel Duignan6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.49$162,750III
At Aqueduct
2024EmeryTyler GaffalioneBrad H. CoxStonestreet Stables6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.44$162,750III
At Belmont Park
2023Maple Leaf MelJoel RosarioMelanie GiddingsAugust Dawn Farm6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.74$175,000III
2022Hot PeppersLuis SaezRudy R. RodriguezMichael Dubb & Michael J. Caruso6+1⁄2 furlongs1:17.73$145,500III
2021Souper SensationalFlavien PratMark E. CasseLive Oak Plantation6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.79$150,000III
2020Frank's RocketteJohn VelazquezWilliam I. MottFrank Fletcher Racing Operations6+1⁄2 furlongs1:14.47$97,000III
2019Royal CharlotteJavier CastellanoChad C. BrownFirst Row Partner6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.82$139,500III
2018Dixie SerenadeMychel J. SanchezEdward J. Coletti Jr.Uptowncharlybrown Stud6+1⁄2 furlongs1:16.57$150,000III
2017American GalFlavien PratSimon CallaghanKaleem Shah6+1⁄2 furlongs1:17.38$144,000III
2016CoppaJoseph TalamoPhilip D'AmatoAnthony Fanticola & Joseph Scardino6+1⁄2 furlongs1:16.23$150,000III
2015Irish JasperJavier CastellanoDerek S. RyanDerek S. Ryan6+1⁄2 furlongs1:16.70$147,000III
2014Street StoryJoel RosarioSteven M. AsmussenWhispering Oaks Farm6+1⁄2 furlongs1:17.08$150,000III
2013Baby JJoel RosarioPatrick L. ReynoldsPaul P. Pompa6 furlongs1:10.84$147,000III
2012Emma's EncoreJunior AlvaradoH. Allen JerkensBrenda Mercer & Peter A. Berglar6 furlongs1:08.89$150,000III
At Saratoga
2011Hot SummerCornelio VelásquezDavid FawkesHarold L. Queen6 furlongs1:10.18$102,000III
2010RapportMartin GarciaBob BaffertThoroughbred Legends Racing Stable6 furlongs1:09.66$100,000III
2009Sara LouiseEdgar S. PradoSaeed bin SuroorGodolphin Racing6 furlongs1:09.66$110,000III
2008Porte BonheurRamon A. DominguezDavid P. DugganJohanna Murphy-Leopoldsberger6 furlongs1:09.51$110,100III
2007La TraviataJulien R. LeparouxPatrick L. BianconeMichael B. Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith6 furlongs1:09.78$114,700III
2006Wildcat Bettie BMario G. PinoJ. Larry JonesOasis Racing6 furlongs1:10.81$110,700III
2005Nothing But FunRichard MiglioreMichael E. HushionBarry K. Schwartz6 furlongs1:09.40$81,500Listed
2004Smokey GlackenJoe BravoJames A. JerkensSusan and John Moore6 furlongs1:09.64$76,800Listed
2003Country RomanceJorge F. ChavezD. Wayne LukasOverbrook Farm6 furlongs1:09.62$76,200Listed

See also