The Cradle Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds held at Belterra Park (formerly River Downs) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Open to two-year-olds, it is run over a distance of miles on the turf.
It was originally created as a dirt race for juveniles in 1977. Miller Genuine Draft sponsored the race from the beginning and, until 2009, it was the longest continuously sponsored Thoroughbred race in the United States. During the 1980s, the Cradle Stakes grew to become the richest race for 2-year-olds in Ohio. One notable winner in that decade was Spend a Buck, who won the 1984 Cradle before going on to win the Kentucky Derby and Horse of the Year honors in 1985.
The Cradle Stakes was moved to the turf in 2007 to serve as a prep for the new Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf race. River Downs management put the Cradle, and its filly counterpart the Bassinet, on hiatus after 2010 as part of a new contract with horsemen in an effort to maintain daily purses. In July 2022, Belterra management announced that both races would return in September of that year. Both races were cancelled again in August 2022.
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Time Grade2010 Tanzana Leandro Goncalves Garry Simms1:44.602009‡ Gleam of Hope Corey Lanerie Anthony Reinstedler1:46.802008 Night Action Victor Lebron Michael Maker1:42.402007 Old Man Buck Perry Ouzts Kenneth McPeek1:42.402006 Passport Corey Lanerie Frank Brothers1:46.002005 Laity Corey Lanerie Frank Brothers1:43.602004 Bellamy Road Abel Castellano Jr. Michael Dickinson1:45.00III2003 Tiger Hunt Larry Melancon W. Elliott Walden1:49.002002 Lone Star Sky Mark Guidry Thomas Amoss1:46.802001 Harlan's Holiday Anthony D'Amico Kenneth McPeek1:46.402000 Mongoose Robby Albarado William Mott1:46.001999 Deputy Warlock Fabio Arguello Jr. Kenneth McPeek1:47.401998 Mountain Range Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas1:45.801997 Cowboy Dan Dean Kutz Danny Hutt1:47.401996 Haint Shane Sellers Frank Brothers1:46.201995 Devil's Honor Anthony Black Cynthia Reese1:45.001994 Peaks and Valleys Pat Day James Day1:46.601993 Moving Van Patricia Cooksey Michael Downing1:48.601992 Crosswood James Bruin Maurice Cobb1:47.00III1991 Wolf Brigade Sebastian Madrid James Morgan1:45.50III1990 Wall Street Dancer Sebastian Madrid Jesus Suarez1989 Table Limit Herb McCauley D. Wayne Lukas1988 Bravoure Michael McDowell John E. Churchman Jr.1987 Cannon Dancer Mike Manganello Peter W. Salmen Jr.1986 Coaxing Chad Steve Neff Ronnie G. Warren1985 Go For It Matt Chris Antley Ronnie G. Warren1984 Spend a Buck Charles Hussey Cam Gambolati1983 Coax Me Chad Julio Espinoza William E. Adams1982 Spare Card Glynn Louviere Richard P. Hazelton1981 Ashley's Miss Eugene J. Sipus Jr. James B. McKathan Jr.1980 Gallant Lt. Clifton Schwing Fred Watkins1979 Ray's Word Antonio Costa Sherman Ingram1978 Noon Shadow J. Harrison Jacqueline Branham1977 Bolero's Orphan Nick Shuk James H. Iselin
‡ In 2009, the race was run off the turf.
References
Equibase Profile - Cradle Stakes