# Distaff Stakes

The Distaff Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older at a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt run annually in early April at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $175,000.

## History

The event was inaugurated on 28 June 1954 as the Distaff Handicap at the old Aqueduct racetrack, and was won by Robert S. Howard's British mare Mab's Choice, who was trained by the future US Hall of Fame trainer Charles E. Whittingham in a time of 1:242⁄5. Mab's Choice was a 20-1 longshot in the field who had not won a race in two years came through with a late drive to win by 1⁄2 length.
After the 1955 season the old Aqueduct track was close for reconstruction for a period of four years. During the four years from 1956 to 1959 the event was held at Belmont Park during the summer or late spring.
On Wednesday, 20 April 1960 the event was scheduled back at the new Aqueduct racetrack and 29,195 were on hand to see the odds-on favorite Mommy Dear win by 2 lengths.
The event was run in two split divisions in 1964. This was only time that the event was run in split divisions.
In 1973 the first year the classification system was enacted, the event was set with Grade III status.
In 1989 the event was upgraded as Grade II.
The event has been run at a shorter distance of 6 furlongs in several times and on the inter dirt track in 1994 and from 2006 to 2009.
The event was scheduled for 13 March 1993 but postponed twice due to bad weather before finally being cancelled.
In 2016 the event was downgraded to Grade III status.
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Aqueduct closed their track and the event was cancelled.
In 2024 the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance and this the events name was modified to the Distaff Stakes.

## Records

Speed record:
* 7 furlongs – 1:21.18 Devil's Orchid (1991)
* 6 furlongs – 1:09.10 La Verdad (2014)
Margins:
* 14 lengths – Ride Sally (1986)
Most wins:
* 2 – La Verdad (2014, 2015)
* 2 – Happy Princess (1958, 1959)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 – Ángel Cordero Jr. (1976, 1983, 1984, 1987)
* 4 – Richard Migliore (1997, 1998, 2004, 2005)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 3 – Claude R. McGaughey III (1988, 1995, 1999)
* 3 – Linda L. Rice (2014, 2015, 2018)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 – Lady Sheila Stable (2014, 2015, 2018)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| At Aqueduct – Distaff Stakes |||||||||||
| 2024 | Shidabhuti | 4 | Dylan Davis | Chad C. Brown | Peter M. Brant | 7 furlongs | 1:23.86 | $169,750 | III | |
| Distaff Handicap |||||||||||
| 2023 | Mommasgottarun | 4 | Eric Cancel | Linda Rice | Ronald P. Stewart | 7 furlongs | 1:21.29 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2022 | Glass Ceiling | 5 | Dylan Davis | Charlton Baker | Michael S. Foster | 7 furlongs | 1:21.71 | $145,500 | III | |
| 2021 | Paris Lights | 4 | Junior Alvarado | William I. Mott | WinStar Stablemates Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:26.99 | $145,500 | III | |
| 2020 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 2019 | Come Dancing | 4 | Manuel Franco | Carlos F. Martin | Blue Devil Racing Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.31 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2018 | Holiday Disguise | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Linda L. Rice | Lady Sheila Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.98 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2017 | Highway Star | 4 | Angel S. Arroyo | Rodrigo A. Ubillo | Chester Broman Sr. & Mary R. Broman | 7 furlongs | 1:22.25 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2016 | Paulassilverlining | 4 | Jose L. Ortiz | Michelle Nevin | Vincent S. Scuderi | 7 furlongs | 1:22.01 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2015 | La Verdad | 5 | Jose L. Ortiz | Linda L. Rice | Lady Sheila Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:10.00 | $190,000 | II | |
| 2014 | La Verdad | 4 | Jose L. Ortiz | Linda L. Rice | Lady Sheila Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:09.10 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2013 | Cluster of Stars | 4 | Junior Alvarado | Steven M. Asmussen | Turtle Bird Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:10.14 | $190,000 | II | |
| 2012 | It's Tricky | 4 | Eddie Castro | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.39 | $196,000 | II | |
| 2011 | Nicole H | 4 | Channing Hill | Michael E. Hushion | Gem, Inc (Dr. John Waken) | 7 furlongs | 1:23.29 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2010 | Tar Heel Mom | 5 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Stanley M. Hough | Alex Rankin | 7 furlongs | 1:24.51 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Secret Gypsy | 4 | Robby Albarado | Ronny W. Werner | Richland Hills Stable & John Kuehl | 6 furlongs | 1:10.01 | $149,800 | II | |
| 2008 | Rite Moment | 4 | Rajiv Maragh | Gary C. Contessa | Winning Move Stable, Seidman Stables, John L. Moirano & Ravenwood Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:09.86 | $143,900 | II | |
| 2007 | Maryfield | 6 | Jorge F. Chavez | Doug F. O'Neill | Mark Gorman, Nick J. Mestrandrea & Jim Perry | 6 furlongs | 1:09.73 | $158,500 | II | |
| 2006 | Smokey Glacken | 5 | Javier Castellano | James A. Jerkens | Susan & John Moore | 6 furlongs | 1:10.49 | $154,500 | II | |
| 2005 | Bank Audit | 4 | Richard Migliore | Frank LaBoccetta Jr. | Robert J. Amendola | 7 furlongs | 1:22.07 | $148,900 | II | |
| 2004 | Randaroo | 4 | Richard Migliore | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | H. Joseph Allen | 7 furlongs | 1:22.64 | $146,400 | II | |
| 2003 | Carson Hollow | 4 | Michael J. Luzzi | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Stronach Stables & Hemlock Hills Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.42 | $152,400 | II | |
| 2002 | Raging Fever | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Mark A. Hennig | Edward P. Evans | 7 furlongs | 1:21.78 | $142,300 | II | |
| 2001 | Dream Supreme | 4 | Aaron Gryder | William I. Mott | Kinsman Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.66 | $181,600 | II | |
| 2000 | Honest Lady | 4 | Brice Blanc | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:22.10 | $183,250 | II | |
| 1999 | Furlough | 5 | Heberto Castillo Jr. | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:23.23 | $174,350 | II | |
| 1998 | Parlay | 4 | Richard Migliore | John C. Kimmel | Ackerly Brothers Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:24.10 | $112,100 | II | |
| 1997 | Miss Golden Circle | 5 | Richard Migliore | John C. Kimmel | Caesar P. Kimmel | 7 furlongs | 1:24.47 | $109,000 | II | |
| 1996 | Lottsa Talc | 6 | Frank T. Alvarado | Timothy D. Kelly | Vincent McGuire | 7 furlongs | 1:24.04 | $119,700 | II | |
| 1995 | Recognizable | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Mills Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:22.94 | $110,900 | II | |
| 1994 | § Classy Mirage | 4 | Robbie Davis | H. Allen Jerkens | Middletown Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:11.37 | $110,800 | II | |
| 1993 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 1992 | Nannerl | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Flint S. Schulhofer | Marablue Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:24.68 | $114,800 | II | |
| 1991 | Devil's Orchid | 4 | Russell Baze | Richard E. Mandella | George Yates | 7 furlongs | 1:21.18 | $111,800 | II | |
| 1990 | Channel Three | 4 | Jorge F. Chavez | Michael J. Goswell | Mrs. Henry Elser | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $90,150 | II | |
| 1989 | Avie's Gal | 4 | Nick Santagata | John J. Lenzini Jr. | John R. Cioci | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $86,100 | II | |
| 1988 | Cadillacing | 5 | Randy Romero | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $84,550 | III | |
| 1987 | Pine Tree Lane | 5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Leonard Mathis | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $87,750 | III | |
| 1986 | Ride Sally | 5 | Walter Guerra | Nicholas P. Zito | Manhasset Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.60 | $90,900 | III | |
| 1985 | Give Me A Hint | 5 | Wesley A. Ward | Braulio Baeza | Nathaniel Usdan | 7 furlongs | 1:25.20 | $91,600 | III | |
| 1984 | Am Capable | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | John Parisella | Theodore Sabarese | 6 furlongs | 1:11.00 | $87,150 | III | |
| 1983 | Jones Time Machine | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | John Parisella | Theodore Sabarese | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $54,800 | III | |
| 1982 | Lady Dean | 4 | Donald A. Miller Jr. | Ronald A. Alfano | David P. Reynolds | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $55,000 | III | |
| 1981 | Lady Oakley (IRE) | 4 | Jeffrey Fell | Warren J. Pascuma | Bette S. Karlinsky | 7 furlongs | 1:25.40 | $56,500 | III | |
| 1980 | Misty Gallore | 4 | Donald MacBeth | Thomas J. Kelly | Spring Hill Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:24.60 | $55,200 | III | |
| 1979 | Skipat | 5 | James W. Edwards | Daniel L. Hasbany | John A. Grondin | 6 furlongs | 1:10.40 | $54,200 | III | |
| 1978 | Vandy Sue | 4 | Angel M. Rodriguez | Ramon M. Hernandez | Assunta Louis Farm | 6 furlongs | 1:12.00 | $36,975 | III | |
| 1977 | What A Summer | 5 | Eddie Maple | LeRoy Jolley | Diana M. Firestone | 6 furlongs | 1:11.60 | $36,675 | III | |
| 1976 | Shy Dawn | 5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Woodrow M. Sedlacek | Jacques D. Wimpfheimer | 7 furlongs | 1:24.20 | $37,650 | III | |
| 1975 | Something Super | 5 | Jean Cruguet | Willard C. Freeman | Skara Glen Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $28,325 | III | |
| 1974 | Krislin | 5 | Vincent Bracciale Jr. | Stephen A. DiMauro | Harold I. Snyder | 7 furlongs | 1:22.00 | $27,450 | III | |
| 1973 | Ferly | 5 | Ron Turcotte | Frank Catrone | Ada L. Rice | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $28,200 | III | |
| 1972 | § Royal Signal | 5 | Chuck Baltazar | Stephen A. DiMauro | Mrs. Lawrence W. Knapp Jr. | 7 furlongs | 1:24.20 | $27,575 | | |
| 1971 | Double Delta | 5 | Braulio Baeza | Stanley M. Reiser | James D. Drymon | 7 furlongs | 1:22.80 | $33,300 | | |
| 1970 | Process Shot | 4 | Chuck Baltazar | J. Bowes Bond | Elberon Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.80 | $28,000 | | |
| 1969 | Heartland | 4 | John L. Rotz | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $28,000 | | |
| 1968 | Just Kidding | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $28,300 | | |
| 1967 | § Cologne | 4 | Braulio Baeza | Frank H. Merrill Jr. | Mrs. Romola Voynow | 7 furlongs | 1:24.20 | $27,800 | | |
| 1966 | Sailor Princess | 4 | Gary Mineau | Burley Parke | Harbor View Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $27,850 | | |
| 1965 | Affectionately | 5 | Walter Blum | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $27,850 | | |
| 1964 | Charspiv | 4 | Bobby Ussery | Buddy Jacobson | Marion R. Frankel | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $21,300 | | Division 1 |
| 1964 | Smart Deb | 4 | Bill Hartack | Arnold N. Winick | Mrs. Russell L. Reineman | 7 furlongs | 1:25.20 | $21,300 | | Division 2 |
| 1963 | Cicada | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | J. Homer Hayes | Meadow Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:21.60 | $23,950 | | |
| 1962 | Rose O'Neill | 4 | Ismael Valenzuela | Ted Saladin | Bert W. Martin | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $23,100 | | |
| 1961 | Teacation | 4 | Ray Broussard | Charles R. Parke | Fred W. Hooper | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $22,650 | | |
| 1960 | Mommy Dear | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | Eddie Hayward | Circle M. Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $27,550 | | |
| At Belmont Park |||||||||||
| 1959 | Happy Princess | 7 | Hedley Woodhouse | George Lewis | Mabel D. Lewis | 7 furlongs | 1:24.20 | $28,600 | | |
| 1958 | Happy Princess | 6 | Hedley Woodhouse | George Lewis | Mabel D. Lewis | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $24,500 | | |
| 1957 | Searching | 5 | Conn McCreary | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 7 furlongs | 1:24.40 | $23,950 | | |
| 1956 | Blue Banner | 4 | Eddie Arcaro | Jack Skinner | Rokeby Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $22,350 | | |
| At Aqueduct |||||||||||
| 1955 | Oil Painting | 4 | Hedley Woodhouse | Anthony W. Rupelt | Mrs. Joseph A. Goodwin | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $29,350 | | |
| 1954 | Mab's Choice (GB) | 5 | Angel Valenzuela | Charles E. Whittingham | Robert S. Howard | 7 furlongs | 1:24.40 | $30,050 | | |
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry