The Pennine Ridge Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the inner turf held annually in late May or early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
History
The race was inaugurated in 2014 with a stakes purse of $200,000.
In 2016 the event was classified as Grade III.
The race is named after the Graded stakes winner Pennine Ridge who in 1994 won the Jamaica Handicap, Hill Prince Stakes and Choice Handicap.
The event is considered a preparatory race for the Belmont Derby which is held in July.
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, NYRA schedule the event at a shorter distance of one mile.
In 2021 the event was moved off the turf due to the inclement weather which affected the turf course. Subsequently the event was downgraded to Grade III.
In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.
The race was moved to Saratoga Racecourse in 2025 and was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade III status and was downgraded one more level as a consequence of being moved off the turf and held on the dirt track.
Records Speed record: 1:45.78 – Catholic Boy (2018)
Largest margin of victory: lengths – Decorated Invader (2020)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 – Irad Ortiz Jr. (2016, 2022, 2023) 3 – Joel Rosario (2020, 2021, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Todd A. Pletcher (2014, 2021, 2022, 2025)
Most wins by an owner: 2 – WinStar Farm (2021, 2022) 2 – Siena Farm (2018, 2022) 2 – Robert LaPenta (2018, 2023) 2 – Madaket Stables (2018, 2023)
Winners
Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Saratoga 2026West End KidTyler GaffalioneWilliam WaldenMo Speed Racing miles1:40.94$300,000III 2025A. P. Kid John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherDonegal Racing 1 mile 1:36.83$300,000Listed At Aqueduct 2024Joel RosarioCharlie ApplebyGodolphin Racing miles1:47.73$200,000II At Belmont Park 2023KalikIrad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownRobert LaPenta, eFive Racing Thoroughbreds and Madaket Stables miles1:47.85$200,000II 2022EmmanuelIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherWinStar Farm & Siena Farm miles1:51.11$200,000II 2021Sainthood Joel RosarioTodd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm & China Horse Club miles1:50.57$194,000III2020Decorated InvaderJoel Rosario West Point Thoroughbreds1 mile1:33.66$150,000II2019Demarchelier (GB) Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownPeter M. Brant miles1:48.20$200,000III2018Catholic BoyJavier CastellanoJonathan ThomasRobert LaPenta, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, Twin Creeks Racing Stable miles1:45.78$196,000III2017José L. OrtizBrian A. LynchAmerman Racing Stables (Jerry & Joan Amerman) miles1:48.44$200,000III2016Camelot KittenIrad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownKenneth and Sarah Ramsey miles1:47.49$200,000III2015DivisideroRafael Manuel HernandezWilliam B. BradleyGunpowder Farms1:48.03$200,000 2014Gala AwardJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherDerrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor miles1:49.73$200,000
Legend:
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
References