Saratoga Special Stakes

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The Saratoga Special Stakes is an American grade II thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is for two-year-olds willing to race six and a half furlongs on the dirt.

With its first run in 1901, the Saratoga Special was a winner-take-all race until 1959 when it became a standard stakes race. The race was held at Belmont Park on the Widener Course in 1943, 1944, and 1945. There was no race in 1911 and 1912 due to the New York State legislated ban on parimutuel betting that led to the closure of all New York racetracks. There was also no race held in 2004.

Since inception it has been contested at various distances:

• 5.5 furlongs : 1901-1906
• 6 furlongs : 1907-1993, 2005
• 6 ¹/₂ furlongs : 1994-2003, 2006 to present

Only four horses have ever won all three Saratoga Racecourse events for two-year-olds. Regret (1914), Campfire (1916), Dehere (1993), and City Zip (2000) each swept the Saratoga Special, Sanford Stakes and Hopeful Stakes.

Video Saratoga Special Stakes

Records

Speed record:

• at 6 ¹/₂ furlongs - 1:15.57 Corfu (2013)
• at 6 furlongs - 1:09 - General Assembly (1978)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 7 - Eddie Arcaro (1935, 1947, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959)

Most wins by an owner:

• 4 - Harry Payne Whitney (1914, 1920, 1922, 1929)
• 4 - George D. Widener (1923, 1930, 1950, 1969)

Maps Saratoga Special Stakes

Winners

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References

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External links

• Video at YouTube of the 1993 Saratoga Special Stakes
• The Saratoga Special Stakes at Pedigree Query

Source of the article : Wikipedia