# Bowling Green Stakes

The Bowling Green Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses age four years old and older over a distance of 1+3⁄8 miles on the turf held annually in late July at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.

## History

The inaugural running of the event was on 11 June 1958 at Belmont Park as the sixth event on the card that day and was won by the French bred horse, Rafty trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer Hollie Hughes in a time of 2:171⁄5.
The event is named for the area on the lower tip of Manhattan Island, known as Bowling Green.
In 1963 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racecourse and the distance was increased to 13 furlongs (1+5⁄8 miles). The last running of the event at Aqueduct in 1967 is one of the more notable when Poker defeated champions Assagai and his own stablemate, the 1966 US Horse of the Year, Buckpasser who was entering the race with a fifteen race winning streak.
The 1970 winner Fort Marcy would later that year be crowned US Horse of the Year and the 1972 winner Run the Gantlet was the 1971 US Champion Male Turf Horse.
In 1973 the event was classified as Grade II and for several years in the late 1980s the event held Grade I status.
In winning the Bowling Green Handicap on 17 June 1990 at Belmont Park, the 1989 Canadian champion With Approval set a new World Record of 2:101⁄5 for 1+3⁄8 miles on turf. As of today, the record remains unmatched.
The 2008 edition was replaced in its summer spot by the Man o' War Stakes. The Man o' War was moved from a fall schedule to improve turf scheduling competition. In 2015 the New York Racing Association moved the Bowling Green to Saratoga.
Two mares have won this race, Drumtop in 1971 setting a new course record for the 1+1⁄2 miles distance and Summer Guest in 1973. Drumtop also finished second to Fort Marcy in 1970.
In 2024 the British-bred Silver Knott set a new track record at Saratoga Racetrack for the 1+3⁄8 miles distance winning in 2:11.40 on the inner turf course.

## Records

Speed record:
* 1+3⁄8 miles: 2:10.20 – With Approval (1990) (new World Record)
Margins:
* 4 lengths – Open Call (1982)
Most wins:
* 2 – Whitmore's Conn (2002, 2003)
* 2 – Channel Maker (2018, 2023)
* 2 – Cross Border (2020, 2021)
Most wins by an owner:
* 4 – Rokeby Stables (1970, 1972, 1973, 1984)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 3 – Jorge Velásquez (1969, 1970, 1982)
* 3 – Jerry Bailey (1984, 1991, 2001)
* 3 – John Velazquez (1994, 1998, 2012)
* 3 – Javier Castellano (2013, 2015, 2016)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 5 – William I. Mott (1987, 2001, 2010, 2018, 2023)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| At Saratoga – Bowling Green Stakes |||||||||||
| 2024 | Silver Knott (GB) | 4 | Flavien Prat | Charlie Appleby | Godolphin Racing | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:11.03 | $242,500 | II | |
| 2023 | Channel Maker | 9 | Manuel Franco | William I. Mott | Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable & Reeves Thoroughbred Racing | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.21 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2022 | Rockemperor | 6 | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, & Michael E. & Carus Kisber | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.81 | $242,500 | II | |
| 2021 | Cross Border | 7 | Luis Saez | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:16.36 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2020 | ‡ Cross Border | 6 | José Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.77 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Channel Cat | 4 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.43 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2018 | Channel Maker | 4 | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | Matthew Schera | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:19.41 | $250,000 | II | Dead heat |
| 2018 | Glorious Empire (IRE) | 7 | Julien R. Leparoux | James Lawrence II | Gary Barber & Wachtel Stable | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:19.41 | $250,000 | II | Dead heat |
| 2017 | Hunter O'Riley | 4 | Florent Geroux | James J. Toner | Sean Shay & Michael J. Ryan | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.94 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2016 | Flintshire (GB) | 6 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Juddmonte Farms | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:18.24 | $237,500 | II | |
| At Saratoga – Bowling Green Handicap |||||||||||
| 2015 | Red Rifle | 5 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Twin Creeks Racing | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.69 | $250,000 | II | |
| At Belmont Park – Bowling Green Handicap |||||||||||
| 2014 | Hangover Kid | 6 | Jose Lezcano | Jason Servis | Four Tags Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.18 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2013 | Hyper | 6 | Javier Castellano | Chad C. Brown | Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.37 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Air Support | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:06.12 | $196,000 | II | |
| 2011 | Grassy | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | Christophe Clement | Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:19.69 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2010 | Al Khali | 4 | Alan Garcia | William I. Mott | Brous Stable & Wachtel Stale | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.23 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Grand Couturier (GB) | 6 | Alan Garcia | Robert Ribaudo | Marc Keller | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.86 | $158,500 | II | |
| 2008 | 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 |
| 2007 | Sunriver | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | Aaron U. & Marie Jones | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.68 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2006 | Go Deputy | 6 | Fernando Jara | Todd A. Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frère | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:17.49 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2005 | Cacht Wells (ARG) | 5 | Eibar Coa | Stanley M. Hough | Castletop Stable | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.49 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Kicken Kris | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Michael R. Matz | Brushwood Stable | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.19 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Whitmore's Conn | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Randy Schulhofer | Michael & Lynn Shanley | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.92 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2002 | Whitmore's Conn | 4 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Randy Schulhofer | Michael & Lynn Shanley | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.43 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2001 | King Cugat | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Centennial Farms | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:10.62 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Elhayq (IRE) | 5 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Shadwell Racing | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.81 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1999 | Honor Glide | 5 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Robert Schaedle III | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:11.07 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1998 | Cetewayo | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Michael W. Dickinson | John A. Chandler | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.45 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1997 | Influent | 6 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Howard M. Tesher | Turfnpaddock Farm | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:11.06 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1996 | Flag Down | 6 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Allen E. Paulson | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.29 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1995 | Sentimental Moi | 5 | Ramon B. Perez | William Badgett Jr. | Landon Knight | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:15.48 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1994 | Turk Passer | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Anthony R. Margotta Jr. | Michael Shanley | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.25 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1993 | Dr. Kiernan | 4 | Chris Antley | Gary Sciacca | Howard T. Whitbred | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:17.70 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1992 | Wall Street Dancer | 4 | Pat Day | Niall M. O'Callaghan | John D. Gunther | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.92 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1991 | Three Coins Up | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | John P. Campo | Ol' Pippingrock Farm | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:10.86 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1990 | With Approval | 4 | Craig Perret | Roger L. Attfield | Kinghaven Farms | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:10.20 | $188,800 | II | |
| 1989 | El Senor | 5 | Herb McCauley | William W. Wright | Frances W. Luro | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:18.60 | $241,600 | I | |
| 1988 | Coeur de Lion (FR) | 4 | Craig Perret | William B. Cox | Evergreen Farms | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.40 | $252,800 | I | |
| 1987 | Theatrical (IRE) | 5 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Bertram R. Firestone | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.00 | $241,600 | I | |
| 1986 | Uptown Swell | 4 | Eddie Maple | Richard J. Lundy | Virginia Kraft Rayson | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.80 | $223,650 | I | |
| 1985 | Sharannpour (IRE) | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Jerry Moss | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:18.20 | $238,000 | I | |
| 1984 | Hero's Honor | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stables | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.00 | $217,700 | I | |
| 1983 | Tantalizing | 4 | Jacinto Vásquez | Angel Penna Sr. | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.80 | $175,200 | I | |
| 1982 | Open Call | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Robert J. Reinacher Jr. | Greentree Stable | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:24.80 | $149,750 | II | |
| 1981 | Great Neck | 5 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Jan H. Nerud | Tartan Farms (James & Virginia Binger) | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.00 | $140,750 | II | |
| 1980 | Sten | 5 | Jeffrey Fell | Richard T. DeStasio | Michael Berry | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:13.20 | $144,250 | II | |
| 1979 | Overskate | 4 | Robin Platts | Gil H. Rowntree | John H. Stafford | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:11.40 | $140,875 | II | |
| 1978 | Tiller | 4 | Jeffrey Fell | David A. Whiteley | William Haggin Perry | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.40 | $117,100 | II | |
| 1977 | Hunza Dancer | 5 | Jean Cruguet | Arthur E. Breasley | Ravi Tikkoo | 1+1⁄4 miles | 1:58.80 | $114,300 | II | |
| 1976 | Erwin Boy | 5 | Ron Turcotte | James P. Conway | Sea High Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.00 | $56,900 | II | |
| 1975 | Barcas | 4 | Marco Castaneda | Leonard Imperio | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.20 | $55,500 | II | |
| 1974 | Take Off | 5 | Ron Turcotte | Frank Catrone | Ada L. Rice | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $57,100 | II | |
| 1973 | † Summer Guest | 4 | Jacinto Vásquez | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.20 | $57,000 | II | |
| 1972 | Run The Gantlet | 4 | Robert Woodhouse | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.80 | $56,000 | | |
| 1971 | † Drumtop | 5 | Chuck Baltazar | Roger Laurin | James B. Moseley | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.40 | $56,800 | | |
| 1970 | Fort Marcy | 6 | Jorge Velásquez | J. Elliott Burch | Rokeby Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.60 | $47,400 | | |
| 1969 | Czar Alexander (GB) | 4 | Jorge Velásquez | Angel Penna Sr. | Gustave Ring | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.40 | $59,400 | | |
| 1968 | High Hat | 4 | Eddie Belmonte | Kay E. Jensen | Mrs. Wallace Gilroy | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.40 | $56,000 | | |
| At Aqueduct |||||||||||
| 1967 | § Poker | 4 | William Boland | Edward A. Neloy | Ogden Phipps | 1+5⁄8 miles | 2:41.40 | $55,400 | | |
| 1966 | Moontrip (ARG) | 5 | Larry Adams | Randy Sechrest | Ewing Kauffman | 1+5⁄8 miles | 2:38.80 | $59,400 | | |
| 1965 | Or et Argent (FR) | 4 | Walter Blum | Wayne B. Stucki | Colin Campbell | 1+5⁄8 miles | 2:40.60 | $59,500 | | |
| 1964 | Cedar Key | 4 | Manuel Ycaza | Bill Shoemaker | Jerry Basta | 1+5⁄8 miles | 2:41.80 | $28,850 | | |
| 1963 | Pollingfold (IRE) | 4 | Willie Harmatz | James E. Fitzsimmons | Mrs. Frank E. Power | 1+5⁄8 miles | 2:45.40 | $27,800 | | |
| At Belmont Park |||||||||||
| 1962 | Royal Record | 4 | Hedley Woodhouse | John M. Gaver Sr. | Wheatley Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:33.20 | $28,850 | | |
| 1961 | Dead Center | 4 | Jack Yother | Alphonse J. Pupino | Alphonse J. Pupino | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.80 | $39,650 | | |
| 1960 | Amber Morn | 4 | Pete Anderson | James R. Hastie | Ken-Love Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.20 | $59,400 | | |
| 1959 | Bell Hop (FR) | 4 | Bobby Ussery | Oleg Dubassoff | John M. Schiff | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:14.60 | $29,400 | | |
| 1958 | Rafty (FR) | 6 | Eric Guerin | Hollie Hughes | Sanford Stud Farms | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:17.20 | $29,400 | | |
Notes:
† Filly or Mare
§ Ran as part of an entry
‡ In the 2020 running Sadler's Joy was first past the post but was disqualified for interference in the straight and was placed fourth. Cross Border was declared the winner.