Coaching Club American Oaks
| Grade I race | |
| Location | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1917 |
| 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 | 121 lb (54.9 kg) |
| Purse | $500,000 |
The Coaching Club American Oaks is a race for thoroughbred three-year-old fillies and the second leg of the Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing. Originally run at Belmont Park, the Grade I $500,000 stakes race was moved to Saratoga Race Course in 2010.
Run as a handicap prior to 1928, the race is named in honor of the Coaching Club of New York. One of the requirements for membership in this club was the ability to handle a coach and four horses with a single group of reins. August Belmont Jr. set the original conditions in order to emulate The Oaks in England.
From 1963 to 1967 the Coaching Club American Oaks was run at Aqueduct Racetrack. Over the years, it has been raced at various distances:
- 1917, 2010–present: 9 furlongs
- 1990–1997, 2003–2009: 10 furlongs
- 1919–1941, 1944–1958: 11 furlongs
- 1942–1943, 1971–1989, 1998–2003: 12 furlongs
Historical notes
[edit]Future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Mom's Command won the 1985 Oaks under jockey Abigail Fuller, daughter of the horse's owner, Peter Fuller.
Records
[edit]Speed record:
(at distance of 12f)
- 2:27.80 – Ruffian (1975); Magazine (1973)
(at distance of 10f)
- 2:00.40 – Ajina (1997)
(at distance of 9f)
- 1:49.15 – It's Tricky (2011)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 – Mike E. Smith (1993, 1997, 2000, 2016, 2017)
- 5 – John R. Velazquez (2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2015)
- 4 – Jorge Velásquez (1974, 1977, 1979, 1988)
- 4 – Jerry D. Bailey (1996, 1998, 1999, 2003)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 8 – Todd Pletcher (2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022)
Most wins by an owner:
- 6 – Calumet Farm (1944, 1949, 1952, 1958, 1977, 1979)
Winners
[edit]- ^ In the 2015 race, I'm a Chatterbox crossed the finish line first, but was disqualified for interference.