# Knickerbocker Stakes

The Knickerbocker Stakes is an American Grade III race on turf for Thoroughbred horses run each year at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The Knickerbocker is open to three-year-olds and up, and set at a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles (nine furlongs). Run in mid October, it currently offers a purse of $200,000.

## Graded status

* Grade 2: 1998–2004, 2017–present
* Grade 3: 1973–1997, 2005–2016

## Historical notes

The Knickerbocker is named for a fictional character, Diedrich Knickerbocker, from Washington Irving's Knickerbocker History of New York– a spoof on the imagined colony of New Netherland.
The race was originally run as the Knickerbocker Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack in late October or early November, although the 1962, 1995 and 2001 renewals were held at Belmont. The race was permanently moved to Belmont Park in 2008 and was changed from a handicap to allowance weight conditions in 2009.
The race has been run at a variety of distances over the years:
* 1+5⁄8 miles – 1960, 1961, 1971 to 1974
* 1+3⁄8 miles – 1962, 1975, 1976, 1978 to 1986
* 1+3⁄16 miles – 1963 to 1969
* 1+5⁄16 miles – 1970
* 1+1⁄4 miles – 1977, 1995 and 2001
* 1+1⁄8 miles – 1987 to 1994, 1996 to 2000, 2002 to present
The Knickerbocker was run in two divisions in 1963, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985.
In 1977, 1992, 1997 and 2023 the race was switched from turf to dirt due to rain. The 2023 event only fielded a two horse field.

## Records

Speed record: (at current distance of 1 1/8 miles on turf)
* Za Approval, 1:46.51 ( 2013)
Most wins:
* 2 – Shady Character (1974, 1975)
* 2 – Charge d'Affaires (1999, 2000)
* 2 – Boisterous (2011, 2012)
* 2 – Blacktype (2017, 2018)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 7 – Jean Cruguet (1977 (2), 1978, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 6 – Christophe Clement (1993, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2017)
Most wins by an owner:
* 5 – Ogden Mills Phipps / Phipps Stable (1974, 1975, 1978, 2011, 2012)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Win$ |
| 2023 | Pioneering Spirit | 4 | José Ortiz | Linda Rice | A. Bianco Holding Limited | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.42 | $112,500 |
| 2022 | King Cause | 7 | Kendrick Carmouche | Michael J. Maker | Nice Guys Stables | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.06 | $150,000 |
| 2021 | Sacred Life | 6 | José Ortiz | Chad C. Brown | Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Bethlehem Stables & Madaket Stables | 11⁄8 M | 1:46.66 | $150,000 |
| 2020 | Devamani | 6 | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | Sanford J. Goldfarb | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.78 | $110,000 |
| 2019 | Lucullan | 5 | Luis Saez | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing LLC | 11⁄8 M | 1:46.87 | $110,000 |
| 2018 | Blacktype | 7 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Jump Sucker Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.35 | $110,000 |
| 2017 | Blacktype | 6 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Jump Sucker Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.33 | $120,000 |
| 2016 | Heart to Heart | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Brian A. Lynch | Terry Hamilton | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.62 | $120,000 |
| 2015 | Messi | 5 | John R. Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | Gestut Brummerhof | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.70 | $120,000 |
| 2014 | Legendary | 5 | Sheldon Russell | Niall Saville | Walter Swinburn | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.65 | $120,000 |
| 2013 | Za Approval | 5 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Live Oak Racing | 11⁄8 M | 1:46.51 | $120,000 |
| 2012 | Boisterous | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.26 | $60,000 |
| 2011 | Boisterous | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.42 | $60,000 |
| 2010 | Violon Sacre | 5 | Pablo Fragoso | Patrick L. Biancone | Bernard Weill | 11⁄8 M | 1:52.62 | $60,000 |
| 2009 | Operation Red Dawn | 7 | Rajiv Maragh | Christophe Clement | Dion A. Recachina | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.21 | $63,900 |
| 2008 | Formal Decree | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing LLC | 11⁄8 M | 1:47.57 | $66,840 |
| 2007 | Fishy Advice | 5 | Javier Castellano | David G. Donk | Charles K. Marquis | 11⁄8 M | 1:52.06 | $67,740 |
| 2006 | Drum Major | 4 | Joe Bravo | George R. Weaver | Dogwood Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.59 | $68,460 |
| 2005 | Atlando | 4 | Jerry Bailey | Pascal Bary | Gary A. Tanaka | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.93 | $90,000 |
| 2004 | Host | 4 | Christopher DeCarlo | Todd A. Pletcher | Eugene Melnyk & Laura Melnyk | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.80 | $90,000 |
| 2003 | Better Talk Now | 4 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Bushwood Stables | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.40 | $90,000 |
| 2002 | Dawn of the Condor | 5 | Jorge Chavez | Gary J. Sciacca | Rich Meadow Farm | 11⁄8 M | 1:52.40 | $90,000 |
| 2001 | Sumitas | 5 | Edgar Prado | Robert J. Frankel | Gary A. Tanaka | 11⁄4 M | 2:02.40 | $90,000 |
| 2000 | Charge d'Affaires | 5 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Marquise de Moratalla | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.00 | $90,000 |
| 1999 | Charge d'Affaires | 4 | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Marquise de Moratalla | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.00 | $66,480 |
| 1998 | Sahm | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Shadwell Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.60 | $67,440 |
| 1997 | Sir Cat | 4 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | John R. Murrell | 11⁄8 M | 1:50.00 | $69,060 |
| 1996 | Mr. Bluebird | 5 | Mike E. Smith | John C. Kimmel | Thomas Warfield | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.20 | $69,660 |
| 1995 | Diplomatic Jet | 3 | Mike E. Smith | James E. Picou | Fred W. Hooper | 11⁄4 M | 2:04.80 | $87,870 |
| 1994 | Kiri's Clown | 5 | Mike Luzzi | Philip G. Johnson | Cobble View Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.20 | $52,335 |
| 1993 | River Majesty | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Christophe Clement | Bruce McNall | 11⁄8 M | 1:54.40 | $52,920 |
| 1992 | Binary Light | 3 | Jean Cruguet | Patrick J. Kelly | Live Oak Racing | 11⁄8 M | 1:52.60 | $56,160 |
| 1991 | Home of the Free | 3 | John R. Velazquez | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:48.60 | $56,070 |
| 1990 | Who's To Pay | 4 | Jerry Bailey | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 11⁄8 M | 1:49.20 | $57,240 |
| 1989 | Trans Banner | 4 | Jean-Luc Samyn | John P. Campo | Casetta Farm | 11⁄8 M | 1:53.60 | $58,770 |
| 1988 | Jimmy's Bronco | 4 | Jean Cruguet | Michael A. Bray | Michael Hanafin | 11⁄8 M | 1:54.80 | $58,590 |
| 1987 | Laser Lane | 4 | José A. Santos | H. Allen Jerkens | Centennial Farms | 11⁄8 M | 1:51.60 | $73,260 |
| 1986 | Duluth | 4 | Jean Cruguet | Thomas J. Kelly | Roslyn Farms | 13⁄8 M | 2:20.80 | $55,710 |
| 1985-1 | Putting Green | 5 | Eddie Maple | Chester Ross | Seymour Cohn | 13⁄8 M | 2:23.80 | $54,405 |
| 1985-2 | Rocamadour II | 6 | Jean Cruguet | Frank LaBoccetta Sr. | Twin Bee Stable | 13⁄8 M | 2:24.00 | $54,405 |
| 1984 | He's Vivacious | 4 | Robbie Davis | Kay E. Jensen | Archie R. Donaldson | 13⁄8 M | 2:26.00 | $46,440 |
| 1983-1 | Four Bases | 4 | Robert Thibeau Jr. | Gilberto Puentes | Murray M. Garren | 13⁄8 M | 2:17.80 | $34,470 |
| 1983-2 | Piling | 5 | Eddie Maple | Peter M. Howe | Pillar Farms | 13⁄8 M | 2:19.00 | $34,230 |
| 1982-1 | Half Iced | 3 | Don MacBeth | Stanley M. Hough | Bertram Firestone | 13⁄8 M | 2:18.20 | $33,330 |
| 1982-2 | If Winter Comes | 4 | Mike Venezia | Mary M. Cotter | Edward Clucas Jr. | 13⁄8 M | 2:19.60 | $33,330 |
| 1981-1 | Euphrosyne | 5 | Richard Migliore | Stephen A. DiMauro | William de Burgh | 13⁄8 M | 2:18.40 | $33,540 |
| 1981-2 | Ghazwan | 4 | Constantino Hernandez | Leonard Imperio | Buckram Oak Farm | 13⁄8 M | 2:20.60 | $33,300 |
| 1980-1 | Foretake | 4 | John Ruane | Mary L. Edens | Adele W. Paxson | 13⁄8 M | 2:22.20 | $33,450 |
| 1980-2 | Lobsang II | 4 | Mike Venezia | Victor J. Nickerson | Walter Haefner | 13⁄8 M | 2:23.60 | $33,450 |
| 1979 | French Colonial | 4 | Jacinto Vásquez | David A. Whiteley | Lazy F Ranch | 13⁄8 M | 2:21.40 | $35,880 |
| 1978 | Fluorescent Light | 4 | Jean Cruguet | Angel Penna Sr. | Ogden Mills Phipps | 13⁄8 M | 2:14.20 | $34,560 |
| 1977-1 | Dance d'Espoir | 5 | Jean Cruguet | Floreano Fernandez | Julie Miron | 11⁄4 M | 2:05.00 | $26,460 |
| 1977-2 | Keep the Promise | 5 | Jean Cruguet | Floreano Fernandez | Jule Fink | 11⁄4 M | 2:04.40 | $26,010 |
| 1976-1 | Javamine | 3 | Jorge Velásquez | Mackenzie Miller | Cragwood Stables | 13⁄8 M | 2:20.60 | $26,100 |
| 1976-2 | Oilfield | 3 | Sandy Hawley | Leonard Imperio | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 13⁄8 M | 2:22.60 | $26,400 |
| 1975 | Shady Character | 4 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | John W. Russell | Ogden Mills Phipps | 13⁄8 M | 2:16.20 | $33,900 |
| 1974 | Shady Character | 3 | Ángel Cordero Jr. | John W. Russell | Ogden Mills Phipps | 15⁄8 M | 2:41.40 | $33,690 |
| 1973 | Astray | 4 | Chuck Baltazar | Frank Y. Whiteley Jr. | William Haggin Perry | 15⁄8 M | 2:39.80 | $34,710 |
| 1972 | Triangular | 5 | John L. Rotz | Nick Combest | Edith Baily Dent | 15⁄8 M | 2:57.20 | $16,665 |
| 1971 | Fresh Alibhai | 3 | John Ruane | Joseph S. Nash | Joseph S. Nash | 15⁄8 M | 2:57.40 | $20,970 |
| 1970 | Mongo's Pride | 3 | Carlos H. Marquez | Don Combs | Mrs. Russell L. Reineman | 15⁄16 M | 2:44.00 | $19,110 |
| 1969-1 | Vent du Nord | 4 | Rudy L. Turcotte | Alfred A. Scotti | Emanuel Mittman | 13⁄16 M | 1:57.60 | $15,031 |
| 1969-2 | Zarco | 3 | Ron Turcotte | Victor J. Nickerson | Watermill Farm | 13⁄16 M | 1:56.40 | $15,031 |
| 1968 | Flit To | 5 | Manuel Ycaza | James P. Conway | Robert Lehman | 13⁄16 M | 1:56.00 | $19,337 |
| 1967-1 | Flag | 7 | Sandino Hernandez | H. Allen Jerkens | Roy C. Kidder | 13⁄16 M | 1:58.00 | $14,771 |
| 1967-2 | Dunderhead | 4 | Ernest Cardone | H. Allen Jerkens | Anne Jerkens | 13⁄16 M | 1:58.20 | $14,934 |
| 1966 | Rego | 3 | Hedley Woodhouse | James P. Conway | Niblick Stable | 13⁄16 M | 1:59.60 | $19,597 |
| 1965 | Circus | 4 | Mike Sorrentino | Sherrill W. Ward | Lazy F Ranch | 13⁄16 M | 1:55.80 | $18,655 |
| 1964 | Third Martini | 5 | Manuel Ycaza | H. Allen Jerkens | Hobeau Farm | 13⁄16 M | 1:56.20 | $19,305 |
| 1963-1 | Parka | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Warren A. Croll Jr. | Pelican Stable | 13⁄16 M | 1:55.20 | $14,105 |
| 1963-2 | Hellenic Hero | 5 | Hedley Woodhouse | Frank L. Moore | Melanie Farm | 13⁄16 M | 1:54.00 | $14,105 |
| 1962 | The Axe II | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 13⁄8 M | 2:13.20 | $19,532 |
| 1961 | T.V. Lark | 4 | Johnny Longden | Paul K. Parker | Preston W. Madden | 15⁄8 M | 2:40.00 | $19,077 |
| 1960 | Quiz Star | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Burley E. Parke | Harbor View Farm | 15⁄8 M | 2:49.40 | $18,712 |