The Fall Highweight Stakes (formerly the Fall Highweight Handicap) is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually near the end of November at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. Currently run at a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 m), it is open to horses three years of age and older. As the name implies, the race is known for the unusually high weights assigned to each of the horses. The race was run under handicap weights until 2024, when it was changed to allowance conditions with a maximum weight of .
In the past the top-weighted horse was assigned a minimum of . Although the 140 pound rule is no longer in place, horses still carry more weight than they normally would. The highweight in the 2015 renewal, for example, carried 134 pounds.
Run at Belmont Park from its inception in 1914 to 1959 and again from 1963 to 1993, the Fall Highweight was open to horses of any age until 1959 when it was changed to its present format. It was raced on a straight course prior to 1921, from 1926 to 1939, and again from 1942 to 1957. A large field resulted in the 1976 edition being run in two divisions.
The inaugural running of the Fall Highweight in 1914 was a remarkable victory for Comely who was not only a filly that defeated male rivals, but the only two-year-old to ever win the race.
Records Speed record: 1:08.40 - Ariel Lad (1944) 1:08.40 - Hitex (1952)
Most wins: 2 - Miss Merriment (1934, 1936) 2 - Cassis (1943, 1946) 2 - Ta Wee (1969, 1970) 2 - Honorable Miss (1975, 1976) 2 - What A Summer (1977, 1978)
Most wins by a jockey: 5 - Eddie Arcaro (1937, 1944, 1948, 1952, 1958) 5 - John L. Rotz (1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972) 5 - Jorge Chavez (1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
Most wins by a trainer: 5 - D. Wayne Lukas (1985, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2001)
Most wins by an owner: 4 - Joseph E. Widener (1919, 1929, 1931, 1941)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner (Furlongs) Time Win $ Gr.2024Giant Mischief4Manuel FrancoBrad H. CoxSpendthrift Farm, Stonestreet Stables, Martin S. Schwartz, et al. 6 f1:09.20$82,5002023Bold Journey4José OrtizWilliam I. MottGary Barber, Pantofel Stable LLC & Wachtel Stable6 f1:10.91$110,000G32022Greeley and Ben8Manuel FrancoFaith WilsonDarryl E. Abramowitz6 f1:11.95$175,000G32021Hopeful Treasure4Mychel SanchezMichael Catalano Jr. Just In Time Racing 6 f1:11.19 $110,000G32020Share The Ride5José OrtizAntonio Arriaga Dixiana Farms LLC (William & Donna Shively) 6 f1:10.62 $100,000G32019Happy Farm5Jorge A. Vargas Jr.Jason ServisM and A Racing Ltd.6 f1:11.91$115,500 G32018Life in Shambles7Irad Ortiz Jr.Jason ServisAra Aprahamian6 f1:12.07$115,500 G32017Stallwalkin' Dude 7Joel RosarioDavid JacobsonDavid Jacobson & Head of Plains Partners (Sol Kumin) 6 f1:11.11$120,000 G32016Heaven's Runway6Junior AlvaradoRudy R. RodriguezMichael Dubb & Michael Imperio 6 f1:10.19$120,000 G32015Green Gratto5Kendrick CarmoucheGaston GrantGaston & Anthony Grant6 f1:09.95$120,000 G32014Salutos Amigos4Cornelio VelásquezDavid JacobsonDavid Jacobson & Southern Equine Stable LLC (Mike Moreno) 6 f1:10.78$180,000 G32013Palace4Cornelio VelásquezLinda L. RiceAntonino Miuccio6 f1:09.82$180,000 G32012Caixa Eletronica7Javier CastellanoTodd PletcherMike Repole6 f1:08.69$90,000G32011Sunrise Smarty4Ramon DomínguezMichael HushionWest Point Thoroughbreds, Donald Brooks, Nick Cammarano6 f1:09.97$60,000G32010Endless Circle6Edgar PradoRudy R. RodriguezVincent S. Scuderi & James A. Riccio 6 f1:09.79$60,000G32009Cherokee Country5Jose LezcanoRamon PreciadoVictory Thoroughbreds LLC (Lou Cacchio) 6 f1:09.29$66,000G32008Fabulous Strike5Ramon DomínguezTodd BeattieWalter Downey6 f1:09.02$66,7202007Grand Champion4 Eibar CoaJames A. JerkensSusan & John Moore6 f1:09.90$65,5202006Afrashad4Richard MiglioreSaeed bin SuroorGodolphin Racing6 f1:11.05$64,980 2005Attila's Storm3Pablo MoralesRichard SchosbergBarry K. Schwartz6 f1:09.30$67,500 2004 Thunder Touch3 Rafael BejaranoKiaran McLaughlinStronach Stables6 f1:09.83$66,960 2003 Bossanova3 Edgar PradoH. James BondLorraine & Rod Rodriguez6 f1:10.06$64,980 2002True Direction3Javier CastellanoCarlos MoralesMorton & Marisol Binn6 f1:09.62$66,960 2001Yonaguska3José A. SantosD. Wayne LukasMichael Tabor6 f1:09.60$67,320 2000Kashatreya6Octavio VergaraJohn O. HertlerSeymour Cohn6 f1:11.03$67,140 1999Richter Scale5Jorge ChavezMary Jo LohmeierNancy & Richard Kaster6 f1:09.05$66,060 1998Punch Line8Jorge ChavezWilliam H. Turner Jr.Althea D. Richards6 f1:10.07$66,840 1997Royal Haven5Richard MiglioreGasper MoscheraBarbara Davis6 f1:10.68$65,820 1996Victor Avenue3Jorge ChavezDale RomansGreg James6 f1:09.24$67,440 1995Jess C's Whirl5Jorge ChavezJohn H. ForbesTed & Larry Oleck6 f1:09.87$66,180 1994Chimes Band3Jerry D. BaileyD. Wayne LukasFares Farms (Issam Michael Fares)6 f1:11.37$65,940 1993Fly So Free5Jerry D. BaileyFlint S. SchulhoferTommy Valando6 f1:09.41$72,360 1992Salt Lake3Mike E. SmithD. Wayne LukasWilliam T. Young6 f1:09.07$68,520 1991Senor Speedy4Jorge ChavezAlfredo CallejasRobert Perez6 f1:08.62$70,920 1990Carson City3Jerry D. BaileyD. Wayne LukasWilliam T. Young6 f1:09.80$51,030 1989Sewickley4Randy RomeroFlint S. SchulhoferRobert S. Evans6 f1:09.60$68,880 1988Parlay Me3Randy RomeroJames E. PicouMarshall E. Sigel6 f1:09.60$69,000 1987Purple Mountain5Richard MiglioreWoodrow SedlacekJacques Wimpfheimer6 f1:08.80$85,500 1986Funistrada3Robbie DavisJan H. NerudJohn A. Nerud6 f1:09.40$68,640 1985Mt. Livermore4Jorge VelásquezD. Wayne LukasLloyd R. French Jr.6 f1:10.60$89,460 1984Mamaison4Chris McCarronRichard MandellaHarold P. Oliver6 f1:10.20$77,040 1983Chas Conerly3Jimmy MirandaH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm6 f1:10.40$50,670 1982Gold Beauty3Don BrumfieldWilliam D. CurtisGeorgia E. Hoffman6 f1:09.20$50,940 1981Piedmont Pete5Kenny BlackRon AlfanoMel Hewitt6 f1:10.40$50,4901980King's Fashion5Jean-Luc SamynH. Allen JerkensBohemia Stable6 f1:10.60$51,120 1979Whatsyourpleasure6Ángel Cordero Jr.John W. RussellMurty Farm (Duane & Wayne Murty)6 f1:09.60$49,095 1978What A Summer5Ángel Cordero Jr.LeRoy JolleyDiana M. Firestone6 f1:09.40$48,195 1977What A Summer4Jacinto VásquezLeRoy JolleyDiana M. Firestone6 f1:10.00$50,490 1976-1Relent5Ruben HernandezSidney Watters Jr.Stephen C. Clark6 f1:09.80$39,1051976-2Honorable Miss6Bill ShoemakerFrank Y. Whiteley Jr.Pen-Y-Bryn Farm6 f1:10.00$39,780 1975Honorable Miss5Jacinto VásquezFrank Y. Whiteley Jr.Pen-Y-Bryn Farm6 f1:09.80$54,720 1974Piamem4Miguel A. RiveraLazaro S. BarreraMiguel Alfonzo6 f1:10.40$22,575 1973King's Bishop4Eddie MapleH. Allen JerkensBohemia Stable6 f1:09.40$17,310 1972Chou Croute4John L. RotzRobert G. DunhamEmmanuel Victor Benjamin III6 f1:10.00$17,340 1971Shut Eye5Ángel Cordero Jr.Jack M. BradleyKev-Hill Stable6 f1:10.80$20,280 1970Ta Wee4John L. RotzFlint S. SchulhoferTartan Stable6 f1:10.40$18,395 1969Ta Wee3John L. RotzFlint S. SchulhoferTartan Stable6 f1:10.20$18,622 1968More Scents4Ángel Cordero Jr.Philip G. JohnsonMeadowhill (Morton Rosenthal & Alfred Green) 6 f1:11.80$18,460 1967Indulto4John L. RotzMax HirschJane Greer6 f1:12.60$18,200 1966Impressive III3Kenneth KnappEdward A. NeloyLittle M Farm (syndicate, John R. Murrell, manager)6 f1:10.40$18,752 1965Pack Trip5Manuel YcazaJohn A. NerudJoseph M. Roebling6 f1:13.80$18,167 1964Delta Judge 4John L. RotzClyde TrouttAda L. Rice6 f1:10.60$18,0051963Accordant3Paul KallaiJoseph KulinaColonial Farm (John & Sam Fieramosca)6 f1:10.20$14,7881962Be On Time3Pete D. AndersonEddie HaywardCircle M Farm (Edward S. Moore)6 f1:09.40$18,7521961Smashing Gail3Bobby UsseryNicholas CombestEdith Baily Dent6 f1:10.00$18,6551960Four Lane3Sam Boulmetis Sr.Thomas M. WallerWilliam Ewing6 f1:09.00 $18,1921959Mystic II5Michael A. SorrentinoMorris H. DixonC. Mahlon Kline 6 f1:11.00 $18,095 1958Bull Strength4 Eddie ArcaroJack J. CarraraBrookfield Farm6 f1:10.00 $19,1351957Itobe4Eldon NelsonEdward I. Kelly Sr.Brookfield Farm 6 f1:09.40$20,6001956Impromptu4Conn McCrearyEdward I. Kelly Sr.Brookfield Farm6 f1:09.00$21,5501955Sailor II3Hedley WoodhousePreston M. BurchBrookmeade Stable6 f1:10.00 $17,0501954Pet Bully6Bill HartackThomas Joseph KellyAda L. Rice6 f1:11.20$17,8001953Kaster4Augustine CatalanoMorris H. DixonC. Mahlon Kline6 f1:09.80$16,6001952Hitex3Eddie ArcaroJames P. ConwayFlorence D. Whitaker6 f1:08.40$17,3001951Guillotine4Ted AtkinsonJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable6 f1:09.00$18,7001950Arise4Douglas DodsonJames C. BentleyAddison Stable (Harry Addison, Sr. & Mrs. Jack Addison)6 f1:08.80$17,8001949Royal Governor5Eric GuerinJames E. RyanEsther D. du Pont6 f1:12.00$17,1501948First Flight4Eddie ArcaroSylvester E. VeitchC. V. Whitney6 f1:08.60$22,6501947Rippey4Ovie ScurlockWillie BoothWilliam G. Helis Sr.6 f1:10.80$21,3001946Cassis7Basil JamesPreston M. BurchW. Deering Howe6 f1:08.80$16,7501945True North5Ted AtkinsonPreston M. BurchHowe Stable (W. Deering Howe)6 f1:08.80$7,3701944Ariel Lad5Eddie ArcaroJ. Thomas TaylorSelznick Stable6 f1:08.40$7,2851943Cassis4Ted AtkinsonPreston M. BurchHowe Stable (W. Deering Howe)6 f1:11.20$6,7251942Imperatrice4Conn McCrearyGeorge M. OdomWilliam H. La Boyteaux6 f1:10.20$5,9251941Roman4Don MeadePeter W. CoyneJoseph E. Widener6 f1:10.00$4,5001940T. M. Dorsett4Raymond WorkmanJohn B. TheallJoe W. Brown6 f1:11.40$4,5001939Rough Time5Fred FaustJ. Yancy ChristmasJ. Yancy Christmas6 f1:09.40$6,100 1938The Fighter5Raymond WorkmanEdward L. SnyderWilliam F. Morgan6 f1:10.00$4,7501937Preeminent5Eddie ArcaroDuval A. HeadleyHal Price Headley6 f1:10.80$2,9751936Miss Merriment5Raymond WorkmanJ. P. "Sammy" SmithVictor Emanuel6 f1:09.60$3,2001935Sation5Jim HunterWinbert F. MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.6 f1:10.20$3,0751934Miss Merriment3Earl SteffenJ. P. "Sammy" SmithDorwood Stable (Victor Emanuel)6 f1:10.40$2,7501933Microphone4Silvio CoucciPhillip M. WalkerSage Stable (Harry W. Sage)6 f1:11.00$1,8451932Larranga3Raymond WorkmanEdward J. BennettAnall Stable (Allan A. Ryan)6 f1:10.40$2,4501931Mr. Sponge4Mack GarnerHenry E. McDanielJoseph E. Widener6 f1:11.60$3,0251930Balko5John BejshakJoseph H. StotlerSagamore Stable (Margaret Emerson)6 f1:09.40$3,3751929Osmand5Willie GarnerPeter W. CoyneJoseph E. Widener6 f1:10.60$3,6001928Finite3Frank S. MoonA. Jack JoynerGeorge D. Widener Jr.6 f1:12.60$3,7001927Happy Argo4Steve O'DonnellMax HirschKershaw Stable (Bernard M. Baruch)6 f1:11.20$4,0501926Powhatan3John MaibenThomas J. HealeyWalter J. Salmon Sr.6 f1:12.00$3,8001925Superlette3Laverne FatorSam HildrethRancocas Stable6 f1:12.40$3,4001924Worthmore3Steve O'DonnellJohn S. WardJohn S. Ward6 f1:11.60$4,2251923Fair Phantom4Earl SandeC. Kay SpenceAudley Farm6 f1:10.40$3,2751922Careful4James ButwellThomas J. HealeyWalter J. Salmon Sr.6 f1:12.60$3,3001921Crocus3Frank ColtilettiJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry Payne Whitney6 f1:11.40$2,7251920Lion d'Or4Earl Sande H. Guy BedwellJ. K. L. Ross6 f1:09.80$3,1001919Naturalist5Charles FairbrotherThomas WelshJoseph E. Widener6 f1:11.60$2,9001918Hollister *4Johnny LoftusWalter B. JenningsA. Kingsley Macomber6 f1:10.00$2,1001917Ima Frank4John McTaggartGeorge ZieglerBeverwyck Stable (Frank J. Nolan)6 f1:11.80$1,4101916Mont d'Or5Joe NotterThomas WelshL. Wood6 f1:13.20$1,2301915Harmonicon5Joe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.Lewis S. Thompson6 f1:10.80$1,1951914Comely2Joe McCaheyRichard C. BensonJames Butler6 f1:12.00$1,275
* In 1918, Fairy Wand finished first, but was disqualified.
References