The Gazelle Stakes (formerly Gazelle Handicap until 2004) is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, New York. It is a Grade III event run over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on dirt that is open to three-year-old fillies. The race was previously run in the Fall at Belmont Park and often used as a stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Distaff. As of 2013, the race is now run in the Spring at Aqueduct, typically on the same day as the Wood Memorial, and is now used as a prep race for the Kentucky Oaks.
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Aqueduct Racetrack Ozone Park, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1887 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-old fillies |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $300,000 |
Race transition
editRace name[1]
- Gazelle Handicap: 1887–2004
- Gazelle Stakes: since 2005
Grading[1]
- Grade I: 1984–2012
- Grade II: 1973–1983 and since 2013
Distance[2]
- 1987–1900: unknown
- 1900–1958: 1 1⁄16 miles
- 1959 and 1960: 1 mile
- since 1961: 1 1⁄8 miles
Qualification[2]
- Three-year-old fillies
- Only 1917–1920 Three-years-old and up fillies
Venue[1]
- Gravesend Race Track: 1887–1916
- Belmont Park: 1956–1959, 1961, 1969–2008
- Aqueduct Racetrack: 1917–1955, 1960, 1962–1968, since 2009
There were no races in 1911–1916, and 1933–1935.[2]
Records
editTime record: (at current distance of 1+1⁄8 miles)
- 1:46.80 – Maud Muller (1974)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Ángel Cordero Jr. (1974, 1976, 1985, 1991)
- 4 – Javier Castellano (2001, 2006, 2008, 2014)
Most wins by an trainer:
- 6 – James G. Rowe Sr. (1890, 1903, 1907, 1909, 1917, 1923)
- 6 – Claude R. McGaughey III (1986, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2006)
- 6 – James E. Fitzsimmons (1924, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1942, 1960)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Greentree Stable (1923, 1941, 1967, 1987)
- 4 – Sarah & Walter Jeffords (1928, 1937, 1945, 1951)
- 4 – Godolphin Racing (2002, 2009, 2012, 2021)