Poker Stakes
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1985 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | The Poker Stakes at Belmont Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 mile (8 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $300,000 (2018) |
The Poker Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. A Grade III event open to horses age four and older, it is raced on turf at a distance of one mile (8 furlongs).
The inaugural running of the 1985 Poker Handicap was contested at a distance of a mile and a sixteenth and at a mile and a quarter the following year.
Records
Speed record:
- 1:31.23 - Oscar Performance (2018)
This time is a course record for Belmont's Widener Turf Course, and ties the North American record for one mile on the turf.
Most wins:
- 2 - Fourstardave (1989, 1993)
- 2 - Affirmed Success (2000, 2001)
- 2 - King Kreesa (2013, 2015)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Harbor View Farm (1985, 1995)
- 2 - Richard M. Bomze (1989, 1993)
- 2 - Albert Fried, Jr. (2000, 2001)
- 2 - Juddmonte Farms (2003, 2007)
- 2 - IEAH Stables (2006, 2008)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Jose Santos (1987, 1988, 1989)
- 3 - Jerry Bailey (1991, 1998, 2001)
- 3 - Jorge Chavez (1994, 1999, 2000)
- 3 - Jose Lezcano (2011, 2012, 2016)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 2 - Angel Penna, Jr. (1997, 2005)
- 2 - Richard Schosberg (2000, 2001)
- 2 - Robert J. Frankel (2003, 2007)
- 2 - Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. (2006, 2008)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Oscar Performance | 4 | Jose Ortiz | Bryan A. Lynch | Amerman Racing | 1:31.23 |
| 2017 | Ballagh Rocks | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Bill Mott | Donegal Racing | 1:34.98 |
| 2016 | Obviously (Ire) | 8 | Jose Lezcano | Philip D'Amato | Fanticola & Sardino | 1:31.65 |
| 2015 | King Kreesa | 6 | Jose Ortiz | David G. Donk | Susan & Gerald Kresa | 1:33.48 |
| 2014 | Jack Milton | 4 | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Gary Barber | 1:33.09 |
| 2013 | King Kreesa | 4 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Jeremiah C. Englehart | G & S Kresa | 1:33.65 |
| 2012 | Clear Attempt | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Bill Mott | Pam & Martin Wygod | 1:34.01 |
| 2011 | Courageous Cat | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Bill Mott | Pam and Martin Wygod | 1:36.69 |
| 2010 | not run | |||||
| 2009 | Sailor's Cap | 4 | Alan Garcia | James J. Toner | Team Valor | 1:36.50 |
| 2008 | Kip Deville | 5 | Cornelio Velasquez | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | IEAH Stables | 1:32.94 |
| 2007 | Art Master | 6 | Garrett Gomez | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1:33.21 |
| 2006 | Rebel Rebel | 4 | Edgar Prado | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | IEAH Stables/Resolute Group Stables | 1:33.34 |
| 2005 | Mr. Light | 6 | Cornelio Velasquez | Angel Penna, Jr. | Earle I. Mack | 1:32.18 |
| 2004 | Christine's Outlaw | 4 | Shaun Bridgmohan | George Weaver | R.C. Hill Stable | 1:32.46 |
| 2003 | War Zone | 4 | Javier Castellano | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1:32.81 |
| 2002 | Volponi | 4 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Philip G. Johnson | Amherst Stable/Spruce Pond Stable | 1:32.24 |
| 2001 | Affirmed Success | 7 | Jerry Bailey | Richard Schosberg | Albert Fried, Jr. | 1:34.60 |
| 2000 | Affirmed Success | 6 | Jorge Chavez | Richard Schosberg | Albert Fried, Jr. | 1:34.06 |
| 1999 | Rob 'n Gin | 5 | Jorge Chavez | Robert Barbara | Sabine Stable | 1:32.81 |
| 1998 | Elusive Quality | 5 | Jerry Bailey | William I. Mott | Mohammed al Maktoum | 1:31.63 |
| 1997 | Draw Shot | 4 | Chris Antley | Angel Penna, Jr. | Francis Santangelo | 1:33.08 |
| 1996 | Smooth Runner | 5 | Julie Krone | Richard C. Mettee | Herbert Allen | 1:33.60 |
| 1995 | Caress | 4 | Robbie Davis | H. Allen Jerkens | Harbor View Farm | 1:34.35 |
| 1994 | Dominant Prospect | 4 | Jorge Chavez | Gary Sciacca | Charles A. Coronia | 1:32.69 |
| 1993 | Fourstardave | 8 | Richard Migliore | Leo O'Brien | Richard M. Bomze | 1:33.02 |
| 1992 | Scott the Great | 6 | Jean-Luc Samyn | William Hebert | August F. Russo | 1:33.27 |
| 1991 | Who's To Pay | 5 | Jerry Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 1:33.40 |
| 1990 | Scottish Monk | 7 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Steven T. Jerkens | Cedar Valle Stable | 1:33.40 |
| 1989 | Fourstardave | 4 | Jose Santos | Leo O'Brien | Richard M. Bomze | 1:33.20 |
| 1988 | Wanderkin | 5 | Jose Santos | Richard O'Connell | Poma Stable | 1:35.60 |
| 1987 | Double Feint | 4 | Jose Santos | Leroy Jolley, Jr. | Peter M. Brant | 1:35.20 |
| 1986 | Island Sun | 4 | Richard Migliore | Patrick J. Kelly | Live Oak Plantation Racing | 2:02.40 |
| 1985 | Mr. Chromacopy | 4 | Jean Cruguet | Pancho Martin | Harbor View Farm | 1:42.40 |