Nashua Stakes

The Nashua Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds over a distance of one mile on the main dirt track scheduled annually in late October or early November usually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $150,000.

Nashua Stakes

Listed race
Location	Aqueduct Racetrack Queens, New York
Inaugurated	1975
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	NYRA
Race information
Distance	1 mile (8 furlongs)
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Two-year-olds
Weight	122 lbs with allowances
Purse	$150,000 (2021)

History

The event is named in honor of Nashua, the 1955 United States Horse of the Year.^[1] Nashua won the Dwyer Handicap at Aqueduct after he had just won the last two Classic events, the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

The event was inaugurated on December 22, 1975, and was won by Lord Henribee, who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Maple for his fourth straight win as the 2/5 odds-on favorite on a cold snowy day in a time of 1:354⁄5.^[2]

In 1982 the event was classified as Grade III^[3] and was upgraded to Grade II in 1986 for three runnings.^[4] The race returned to Grade II by the American Graded Stakes Committee in 2009^[4] but was downgraded once more in 2018 back to Grade III.^[3]

The event was scheduled for the turf for three runnings between 1991 and 1993.^[4] The event has had several distance changes. The distance was set at a mile and 70 yards for 1985, at a mile and a sixteenth from 1987 to 1993 and six furlongs in 2011.^[4] The event was not held in 1995 and has been held at Belmont Park four times, the last of which was in 2021.^[4]

The event is late in the season and it is usually a good race for late-developing two-year-olds.^{[citation needed]} There have been several notable participants who have made an impact later in their racing careers. The 1991 winner Pine Bluff went on to win the 1992 Preakness Stakes while the 1997 winner Coronado's Quest the following year won the Grade I Haskell Invitational and Grade I Travers Stakes. In 2010 To Honor and Serve led all the way to record an easy 4-length victory over Mucho Macho Man. To Honor and Serve also won two Grade Is later in his career, the Cigar Mile Handicap and Woodward Stakes while Mucho Macho Man won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2013 as a five-year-old.

In 2023 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status^[5]

Records

Time record:

• 1 mile: 1:34:66 – Independence Hall (2019)
• 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:44.60 – Dalhart (1992)

Margins:

• 12+1⁄2 lengths - Quadratic (1977)
• 12+1⁄4 lengths - Independence Hall (2019)

Most wins by an owner

• 3 – Loblolly Stable (1988, 1991, 1992)

Most wins by a jockey

• 4 – Jerry D. Bailey (1990, 1998, 2001, 2003)

Most wins by a trainer

• 5 – Kiaran McLaughlin (2006, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2017)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
At Aqueduct
2024	Studlydoright	Xavier Perez	John J. Robb	David R. Hughes	1 mile	1:37.23	$145,500	Listed	[6]
2023	Where's Chris	Isaac Castillo	Richard E. Dutrow Jr.	Nice Guys Stables	1 mile	1:36.75	$145,500	Listed	[7]
2022	Champions Dream	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Danny Gargan	Rosedown Racing Stables	1 mile	1:39.17	$150,000	III	[8]
At Belmont Park
2021	Rockefeller	Luis Saez	Bob Baffert	SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables & Robert E. Masterson	1 mile	1:36.66	$150,000	III	[9]
At Aqueduct
2020	Pickin' Time	Trevor McCarthy	Kelly J. Breen	John Bowers, Jr.	1 mile	1:39.89	$100,000	III	[10]
2019	Independence Hall	Jose L. Ortiz	Michael J. Trombetta	Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Twin Creek Stables, Kathleen & Robert Verratti	1 mile	1:34:66	$150,000	III	[11]
2018	Vekoma	Manuel Franco	George Weaver	R. A. Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables	1 mile	1:36.62	$200,000	III	[12]
2017	Avery Island	Joe Bravo	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Godolphin Racing	1 mile	1:37.58	$200,000	II	[13]
2016	Hemsworth	Antonio A. Gallardo	Thomas Albertrani	Godolphin Racing	1 mile	1:38.70	$190,000	II	[14]
2015	Mohaymen	Junior Alvarado	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Shadwell Stable	1 mile	1:36.01	$200,000	II	[15]
2014	Blofeld	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	Glencrest Farm (Lessee) & JSM Equine	1 mile	1:38.89	$250,000	II	[16]
2013	Cairo Prince	Luis Saez	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Namcook Stables, Paul Braverman, Harvey A. Clarke & W. Craig Robertson III	1 mile	1:37.59	$250,000	II	[17]
2012	Violence	Javier Castellano	Todd A. Pletcher	Black Rock Stables	1 mile	1:35.32	$200,000	II	[18]
At Belmont Park
2011	Vexor	David Cohen	John C. Kimmel	Goldmark Farm	6 furlongs	1:10.71	$150,000	II	[19]
At Aqueduct
2010	To Honor and Serve	Jose Lezcano	William I. Mott	Live Oak Racing	1 mile	1:35.86	$147,000	II	[20]
2009	Buddy's Saint	Jose Lezcano	Bruce N. Levine	Kingfield Stables	1 mile	1:35.67	$150,000	II	[21]
2008	Break Water Edison	Alan Garcia	John C. Kimmel	Eli Gindi	1 mile	1:35.86	$109,300	III	[22]
2007	Etched	Alan Garcia	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Darley Stable	1 mile	1:36.96	$105,800	III	[23]
2006	Day Pass	Fernando Jara	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Darley Stable	1 mile	1:36.09	$112,900	III	[24]
At Belmont Park
2005	Bluegrass Cat	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	WinStar Farm	1 mile	1:38.02	$113,300	III	[25]
At Aqueduct
2004	Rockport Harbor	Stewart Elliott	John C. Servis	Fox Hill Farms	1 mile	1:36.67	$109,500	III	[26]
2003	Read the Footnotes	Jerry D. Bailey	Richard A. Violette Jr.	Klaravich Stables	1 mile	1:36.48	$113,100	III	[27]
2002	Added Edge	Patrick Husbands	Mark E. Casse	Team Valor & Robert J. Wilson	1 mile	1:36.77	$109,700	III	[28]
At Belmont Park
2001	Listen Here	Jerry D. Bailey	William I. Mott	Kim & Rodney Nardelli & Lewis G. Lakin	1 mile	1:37.61	$109,300	III	[29]
At Aqueduct
2000	Ommadon	Aaron Gryder	Thomas M. Walsh	Sorin Stables	1 mile	1:36.74	$113,200	III	[30]
1999	Mass Market	Mike E. Smith	Benjamin W. Perkins Jr.	New Farm	1 mile	1:38.60	$111,700	III	[31]
1998	Doneraile Court	Jerry D. Bailey	Nicholas P. Zito	Michael Tabor & Mrs. John Magnier	1 mile	1:36.17	$111,000	III	[32]
1997	Coronado's Quest	Mike E. Smith	Claude R. McGaughey III	Stuart S. Janney III	1 mile	1:37.06	$108,500	III	[33]
1996	Jules	Jose A. Santos	Alan E. Goldberg	Jayeff B Stables	1 mile	1:36.89	$113,900	III	[34]
1995	Race not held
1994	Devious Course	Frank T. Alvarado	H. James Bond	Rudlein Stable	1 mile	1:37.50	$109,300	III	[35]
1993	Popol's Gold	Herb McCauley	William H. Turner Jr.	Stephen Stavrides	1+1⁄16 miles	1:46.68	$124,000	III	[36]
1992	Dalhart	Mike E. Smith	Thomas K. Bohannan	Loblolly Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.60	$124,400	III	[37]
1991	Pine Bluff	Craig Perret	Thomas K. Bohannan	Loblolly Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:46.14	$126,600	III	[38]
1990	Kyle's Our Man	Jerry D. Bailey	John M. Veitch	Darby Dan Farm	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.40	$93,300	III	[39]
1989	Champagneforashley	Jacinto Vasquez	Howard M. Tesher	Lions Head Farm	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.20	$110,800	III	[40]
1988	Traskwood	Angel Cordero Jr.	George R. Arnold II	Loblolly Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.20	$105,400	II	[41]
1987	Cougarized	Jose A. Santos	D. Wayne Lukas	Lloyd R. French Jr.	1+1⁄16 miles	1:46.00	$128,600	II	[42]
1986	Bold Summit	Chris Antley	Richard E. Dutrow Sr.	Alvin J. Akman	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.00	$100,000	II	[43]
1985	Raja's Revenge	Robbie Davis	Frank LaBoccetta	Edward Anchel	1 mile & 70 yards	1:44.40	$90,350	III	[44]
1984	Stone White	Robbie Davis	Gilbert Puentes	Gilbert Puentes	1 mile	1:38.20	$96,750	III	[45]
1983	Don Rickles	Angel Cordero Jr.	John Parisella	Theodore M. Sabarese	1 mile	1:38.40	$58,000	III	[46]
1982	I Enclose	Ruben Hernandez	Edward I. Kelly Sr.	Brookfield Farms	1 mile	1:37.60	$59,100	III	[47]
1981	Our Escapade	Donald MacBeth	Roger Laurin	Reginald N. Webster	1 mile	1:36.80	$58,800		[48]
1980	† A Run	Chris McCarron	Larry S. Barrera	Arron U. Jones	1 mile	1:37.20	$59,100		[49]
1979	Googolplex	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Frank "Pancho" Martin	Robert N. Lehmann	1 mile	1:36.40	$54,250		[50]
1978	Instrument Landing	Jeffrey Fell	David A. Whiteley	Pen-Y-Bryn Farm	1 mile	1:37.00	$44,200		[51]
1977	Quadratic	Eddie Maple	Woodford C. Stephens	August Belmont IV	1 mile	1:35.40	$36,625		[52]
1976	Nearly On Time	Jacinto Vasquez	LeRoy Jolley	Mrs. Moody Jolley	1 mile	1:35.60	$36,675		[53]
1975	Lord Henribee	Eddie Maple	William H. Turner Jr.	Milton Ritzenberg	1 mile	1:35.80	$55,050		[2]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 1980 running, Willow Hour was first past the post, but was disqualified and placed last for interference in the running of the race.

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

1. Hunter, Avalyn (July 31, 2020). "Nashua (USA)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
2. "2-5 Favorite Big A Victor Before 9,441 (1975 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 22 December 1975)". New York Times. 23 December 1976. p. 19. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
3. "NASHUA STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
4. "Nashua Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
5. "American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
6. "2024 Nashua Stakes Listed - (race 3)". Equibase. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
7. "2023 Nashua Stakes Listed - (race 3)". Equibase. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
8. "2022 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
9. "2021 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
10. "2020 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
11. "2019 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
12. "2018 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
13. "2017 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". Equibase. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
14. "2016 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". Equibase. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
15. "2015 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
16. "2014 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". Equibase. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
17. "2013 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 November 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
18. "2012 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 November 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
19. "2011 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
20. "2010 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 6 November 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
21. "2009 Nashua Stakes Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
22. "2008 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
23. "2007 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 28 October 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
24. "2006 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
25. "2005 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
26. "2004 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
27. "2003 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 November 2003. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
28. "2002 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 November 2002. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
29. "2001 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
30. "2000 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 5 November 2000. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
31. "1999 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 November 1999. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
32. "1998 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 November 1998. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
33. "1997 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 November 1997. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
34. "1996 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 November 1996. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
35. "1994 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 November 1994. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
36. "1993 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 December 1993. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
37. "1992 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 December 1992. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
38. "1991 Nashua Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 December 1991. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
39. "Kyle's Our Man wins stakes race (1990 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 15 December 1990)". Hartford Courant. The Associated Press. 16 December 1990. p. 292. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
40. "Champagneforashley Zips by 9 (1989 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 10 December 1989)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 11 December 1989. p. 19. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
41. "Traskwood wows Angel in Nashua Stakes (1988 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 17 December 1988)". New York Daily News. 18 December 1988. p. 104. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
42. "Cougarized gallops to Nashua victory (1987 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 17 December 1987)". Hackensack Record. 18 December 1987. p. 227. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
43. "Late charge propels Bold Summit to win (1986 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 13 December 1986)". Press and Sun-Bulletin. The Associated Press. 14 December 1986. p. 16. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
44. "Raja's Revenge wins in stretch (1985 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 14 December 1985)". Press and Sun-Bulletin. The Associated Press. 15 December 1985. p. 13. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
45. "Stone White Rallies Late To Win Nashua Stakes (1984 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 1 December 1984)". Press and Sun-Bulletin. The Associated Press. 2 December 1984. p. 71. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
46. "Don Rickles Wins Laughing (1983 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 26 November 1983)". Hackensack Record. The Associated Press. 27 November 1983. p. 83. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
47. Whelan, Tom (28 November 1982). "I Enclose wins Nashua (1982 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 27 November 1982)". White Plains Journal News. The Associated Press. p. 71. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
48. "'Our Escapade' wins at Aqueduct (1981 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 22 November 1981)". Chicago Tribune. The Associated Press. 23 November 1981. p. 49. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
49. "First is last in Aqueduct's Nashua (1980 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 22 November 1980)". Press and Sun-Bulletin. The Associated Press. 23 November 1980. p. 13. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
50. Gaffer, Wes (25 November 1979). "Googolplex wins $54G Nashua Stakes in photo at Aqueduct (1979 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 24 November 1979)". New York Daily News. p. 146. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
51. Gaffer, Wes (13 November 1978). "Instrument Landing wins by 2 lengths at Aqueduct (1978 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 12 November 1978)". Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. p. 146. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
52. "Quadratic wins Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct (1977 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 16 November 1977)". Hartford Courant. The Associated Press. 17 November 1977. p. 84. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
53. Gaffer, Wes (16 November 1976). "'On Time' 1st at Aqueduct (1976 Nashua Stakes – race 8: held 15 November 1976)". New York Daily News. p. 564. Retrieved 23 October 2020.