The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes is a listed stakes race for Thoroughbred two-year-olds run in the fall at Belmont Park, New York.
At a distance of 7 furlongs, it will be in its 39th running in 2016. The Bongard is a major prep race for up-and-coming young horses and offers a purse of $150,000. Though not restricted to New York-bred horses, this is not an open race: it is considered an event on the New York-bred schedule.
This race was run at a mile and an eighth before 1983 and also from 1984 to 1988. It was run at seven furlongs in 1983, and from 1996 to the present. It was set at a mile and a sixteenth from 1989 to 1993 and at six furlongs in 1994 and 1995. Run for three-year-olds and older before 1984, it is now run for two-year-olds only.
Named for Bertram F. Bongard, who was a founding director of the Eastern New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, initially run for three-year-olds and older until 1984, but it is now strictly for two-year-olds. Before 1984, it was called the Bertram F. Bongard Handicap.
Winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Funny Cide, won this race in 2003.
Past winners 2025 – Spirit Of New York (Manuel Franco) 2024 – Sacrosanct (Manuel Franco) 2023 – El Grande O (José Ortiz) 2022 – Jackson Heights (Javier Castellano) 2021 – Shipsational (Luis Saez) 2020 – Hold the Salsa (Junior Alvarado) 2019 – Cleon Jones (Irad Ortiz Jr.) 2018 – Frosted Ice (Joel Rosario) 2017 – Battle Station (Kendrick Carmouche) 2016 – Mirai (José Ortiz) 2015 – Sudden Surprise (John R. Velazquez) 2014 – Saratoga Heater (Joel Rosario) 2013 – Wired Bryan (John Velazquez) 2012 – Weekend Hideaway 2011 – RACE NOT RUN? 2010 – RACE NOT RUN 2009 – Make Note 2008 – Trinity Magic (Shaun Bridgmohan) 2007 – Big Truck (Ramon Domínguez) 2006 – I'm A Numbers Guy (Stewart Elliott) 2005 – Sharp Humor (Edgar Prado) 2004 – Up Like Thunder (Javier Castellano) 2003 – Flagshipenterprise (Mark Guidry) 2002 – Funny Cide (José A. Santos) 2001 – White Ibis (Robbie Davis) 2000 – Le Grande Danseur (Jorge Chavez) 1999 – Image Maker (Jorge Chavez) 1998 – David (Aaron Gryder) 1997 – Ruby Hill (José A. Santos) 1996 – Patent Pending (Robbie Davis) 1995 – Out To Win (Julie Krone) 1994 – Cyrano (Mike E. Smith) 1993 – Bit of Puddin (Mike E. Smith) 1992 – Over the Brink (Aaron Gryder) 1991 – Phantom Finn (Eddie Maple) 1990 – Well Well Well (Diane Nelson) 1989 – Applebred (Jean-Luc Samyn) 1988 – Gold Oak (Eddie Maple) 1987 – Notebook (José A. Santos) 1986 – Sweet Envoy (Jacinto Vásquez) 1985 – Wild Wood (Michael Venezia) 1984 – Hot Debate (Don MacBeth) 1983 – Master Digby (Ángel Cordero Jr.) 1982 – Fearless Leader (Don MacBeth) 1981 – Accipiter's Hope (Cash Asmussen) 1980 – Fio Rito (Leslie Hulet) 1979 – International (Jorge Velásquez) 1978 – Judging Man (Ángel Cordero Jr.)
External links Belmont Park official website