The Kitten's Joy Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old at the distance of one and one-sixteenths mile on the turf held annually in late January or early February at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $175,000.
History The race was inaugurated in 2012 over the distance of miles after Kitten's Joy who was a multiple graded stakes winner and the 2004 American Champion Turf Horse. Kitten's Joy also won the Grade III Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park where this race is held.
The event was shortened in one mile in 2015 and once again in 2018 to the current distance of about furlongs.
In 2020 the event was upgraded to a Grade III.
In 2021 the distance of the event was increased to 1 mile.
The 2013 winner Charming Kitten and the 2017 winner Kitten's Cat were both sired by Kitten's Joy. Also both winners were owned Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey who also owned Kitten's Joy.
In 2022 the distance of the event was increased again to miles.
In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.
Records Speed record: miles: 1:39.78 – First World War (2024) 1 mile: 1:35.18 – Chess's Dream (2021) about furlongs: 1:28.25 – Island Commish (2020)
Margins: lengths – Howe Great (2012)
Most wins by a jockey 3 – John R. Velazquez (2013, 2015, 2019) 3 – Tyler Gaffalione (2021, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer 3 – Todd A. Pletcher (2013, 2022, 2023)
Most wins by an owner 2 – Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey (2013, 2017)
Winners
Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2026 Mario Gutierrez Brian A. Lynch Silverton Hill miles 1:40.23 $155,000 Listed 2025 Luis Saez Peter Eurton BG Stables, Roadrunner Racing, SAF Racing, West Coast Stables, Barbara Evenson & Jeffrey Lambert miles 1:40.48 $150,000 Listed 2024 First World War Tyler Gaffalione Brendan P. Walsh Qatar Racing & Hunter Valley Farm miles 1:39.78$175,000III 2023 Major Dude Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Spendthrift Farm miles 1:40.22$175,000III2022 Grand Sonata Tyler Gaffalione Todd A. Pletcher Whisper Hill Farm 1:41.53$100,000III2021 Chess's Dream Tyler Gaffalione Michael J. Maker Michael Dubb, Steven Bouchey, Bethlehem Stables & Chester A. Bishop 1 mile 1:35.18$100,000III2020 Island Commish Paco Lopez Matthew Schera abt. furlongs 1:28.25$100,000III2019 Casa Creed John R. Velazquez William I. Mott LRE Racing & JEH Racing Stable abt. furlongs 1:30.64$100,000 Listed 2018 Flameaway Julien R. Leparoux Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley abt. furlongs 1:29.78$100,000 Listed 2017 Kitten's Cat Luis Saez Joe Sharp Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey 1 mile 1:36.41$100,000 Listed 2016 J R 's Holiday Emisael Jaramillo Jose Garoffalo J.R. Racing 1 mile 1:35.20$100,000 Listed 2015 Dubai Sky John R. Velazquez William I. Mott Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stable 1 mile 1:36.05$100,000 Listed 2014 Storming Inti Alan Garcia Chad C. Brown Santa Rosa Racing Stables miles 1:42.34$100,000 Listed 2013 Charming Kitten Todd A. Pletcher Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey miles 1:43.43$100,000 Listed 2012 Howe Great Edgar S. Prado H. Graham Motion Team Valor International miles 1:40.42$100,000 Listed
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
External links 2020–21 Gulfstream Park Media Guide
References