Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap
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The Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap was, until it was discontinued in 2005, a Thoroughbred race for horses three-years-old and up run at Saratoga Race Course. A Grade II event, it was set in 1995 at one and one quarter miles on the dirt and offered a purse of $250,000.
This race is now known as the Ballston Spa Handicap and is restricted to filles and mares.
Before its discontinuation by the New York Racing Association (NYRA) (fearful of bankruptcy and therefore cutting back on purses or the entire elimination of certain races), the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup had run for 87 years.
That year the NYRA also eliminated the Astarita, the Valley Stream, the Flash, the Cowdin Stakes, the Huntington, the Lawrence Realization Stakes (which moved to Belmont Park, the Belmont Breeders' Cup and the Meadowbrook Steeplechase.
Parole won this race twice: 1877 & 1878. Around the time of the First World War Roamer won it three times. Friar Rock won it in 1916, Princess Doreen in 1926. Busanda won it twice: 1951 and 1952, as did Stymie in 1945 and 1946.
[edit] Past winners
- 2005 – Suave (John Velazquez)
- 2004 – Evening Attire (Cornelio Velasquez) (Funny Cide, Edgar Prado up, placed.)
- 2003 – Puzzlement (Jorge Chavez) (Volponi placed.)
- 2002 – Evening Attire (Gander won but as he was riderless, he was disqualified.)
- 2001 – Aptitude (Jerry Bailey) (Aptitude had placed in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.)
- 2000 – Pleasant Breeze
- 1999 – Running Stag (Shane Sellers)
- 1998 – Awesome Again
- 1997 – Cairo Express (Jean-Luc Samyn)
- 1996 – Danish
