Vagrancy Stakes

The Vagrancy Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old and older run over a distance of furlongs on the dirt track held annually in late May or early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

History

The race is named in honor of Vagrancy, the Champion three-year-old filly and champion handicap mare of 1942 owned by Belair Stud and trained by Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons.

The event was inaugurated on 10 July 1948 at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York when Conniver easily won by five lengths over Harmonica in a time of 1:43 over a distance of miles. Later that year Conniver was voted the 1948 American Champion Older Female Horse.

The event was idle from 1949 through 1951.

It was hosted by the Aqueduct track from inception through 1955 and again in 1960, 1963–1967, 1975, and 1977–1986. Over the years it has been contested at various distances: miles in 1948 and 1952, 7 furlongs between 1953–1997 and furlongs from 1998 to today.

In 1955, the Vagrancy Handicap was run in two divisions.

Between 1954 and 1960 the event was held in late summer.

The event was classified as a Grade III in 1973 and was upgraded to Grade II in 2002. This race was downgraded to a Grade III for its 2014 running.

In 2023 the conditions of the event were change from a handicap to a stakes allowance. Hence, the name of the event was changed to Vagrancy Stakes. Records Speed record: furlongs: 1:14.46 – Bear Fan (2004) 7 furlongs: 1:20.80 – Grecian Flight (1988)

Margins: 9 lengths – Bear Fan (2004)

Most wins: 2 – Sky Beauty (1994, 1995) 2 – Victim of Love (2020, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey: 6 – John Velazquez (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2018, 2026)

Most wins by a trainer: 5 – H. Allen Jerkens (1968, 1969, 1989, 1994, 1995)

Most wins by an owner: 2 – Harry La Montagne (1948, 1957) 2 – Ethel D. Jacobs (1955, 1965) 2 – Calumet Farm (1956, 1961) 2 – Meadow Stable (1955, 1963) 2 – Wheatley Stable (1964, 1966) 2 – Hobeau Farm (1968, 1969) 2 – Eugene V. Klein (1986, 1987) 2 – Georgia E. Hofmann (1994, 1995) 2 – Tommy Town Thoroughbred (2020, 2021) 2 – Miller Racing (2025, 2026)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Aqueduct - Vagrancy Stakes2026Grammy Girl5Javier Castellano Saffie A. Joseph Jr.Red Storm Stable, Miller Racing & Flower Power Stables furlongs1:16.64$175,000III2025Haulin Ice 4John R. VelazquezSaffie A. Joesph Jr. C Two Racing Stable, Paul Braverman, Miller Racing & Timothy Pinch furlongs1:16.10$175,000III2024Leave No Trace4Jose LezcanoPhillip M. SerpeWellSpring Stables furlongs1:15.91$175,000IIIAt Belmont Park 2023Caramel Swirl5Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottGodolphin furlongs1:16.98$175,000IIIVagrancy Handicap2022Bella Sofia4Luis SaezRudy R. RodriguezSofia Soares, Michael Imperio, Vincent S. Scuderi, Matthew Mercurio, & Parkland Thoroughbreds furlongs1:16.02$145,500III2021Victim of Love5Joel RosarioTodd BeattieTommy Town Thoroughbred furlongs1:17.27$145,500III2020Victim of Love4Jose LezcanoTodd BeattieTommy Town Thoroughbred furlongs1:16.27$100,000III2019Heavenhasmynikki5Robert B. Hess Jr.Ron Paolucci Racing furlongs1:17.44$194,000III2018Kirby's Penny5John R. VelazquezWesley A. WardKent Spellman furlongs1:17.44$200,000III2017By the Moon5Rajiv MaraghMichelle NevinJay Em Ess Stable furlongs1:17.44$200,000III2016Paulassilverlining4José L. OrtizMichelle NevinVincent S. Scuderi furlongs1:15.82$147,000III2015La Verdad5José L. OrtizLinda L. RiceLady Sheila Stable furlongs1:16.17$147,000III2014Merry Meadow4Rajiv MaraghMark A. HennigWilliam Parsons Jr. & David Howe furlongs1:17.36$150,000III2013Glorious View4Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottLaue Ranch furlongs1:15.96$200,000II2012§ C C's Pal5Junior AlvaradoRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Eric Fein furlongs1:16.10$200,000II2011Hilda's Passion4Javier CastellanoTodd A. PletcherStarlight Racing furlongs1:14.81$147,000II2010Hour Glass4David Cohen Todd A. PletcherMill House Stable furlongs1:16.80$140,000II2009Carolyn's Cat4Alan GarciaKiaran P. McLaughlinMr. & Mrs. William K. Warren furlongs1:16.34$147,000II2008Looky Yonder4Garrett K. GomezRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Lansdon B. Robbins III furlongs1:17.63$147,000II2007Indian Flare5Javier CastellanoRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms furlongs1:16.44$150,000II2006Dubai Escapade4Edgar S. PradoEoin G. HartyDarley Stable furlongs1:15.39$150,000II2005Sensibly Chic5John R. VelazquezTimothy J. Tullock Jr.Lois S. Nervitt furlongs1:16.31$150,000II2004Bear Fan5John R. VelazquezWesley A. WardPeter Fan & W. Ward furlongs1:14.46$150,000II2003Shawklit Mint4Richard MigliorePatrick L. ReynoldsFlatbird Stable furlongs1:15.38$136,500II2002Xtra Heat4Harry VegaJohn E. Salzman Sr.Harry Deitchman, Kenneth Taylor, John E. Salzman Sr. & John E. Salzman Jr. furlongs1:16.44$150,000II2001Dat You Miz Blue4John R. VelazquezJames A. JerkensCynthia Knight furlongs1:15.32$106,800III2000Country Hideaway4Jerry D. BaileyOgden Phipps furlongs1:17.05$109,400III1999† Gold Princess4John R. VelazquezGary SciaccaWindbound Farms furlongs1:16.57$106,400III1998Chip5Joe BravoSonny HineCarolyn Hine furlongs1:15.69$81,575IIIAt Aqueduct1997Inquisitive Look4Jorge F. ChavezRichard L. StoklosaRobert Kaufman 7 furlongs1:22.07$108,000IIIAt Belmont Park1996Twist Afleet5Julie KroneJohn C. KimmelLucille Conover7 furlongs1:20.94$112,931III1995Sky Beauty5Mike E. SmithH. Allen JerkensGeorgia E. Hofmann7 furlongs1:21.56$77,382III1994Sky Beauty4Mike E. SmithH. Allen JerkensGeorgia E. Hofmann7 furlongs1:21.67$81,426III1993Spinning Round4Jorge F. ChavezCarl J. DominoKinsman Stable7 furlongs1:24.52$87,900III1992Nannerl5José A. SantosFlint S. SchulhoferMarablue Farm7 furlongs1:22.55$85,350III1991Queena5Mike E. SmithClaude R. McGaughey IIIEmory A. Hamilton7 furlongs1:22.00$91,800III1990Mistaurian4Herb McCauleyStephen A. DiMauroBernard Chaus7 furlongs1:25.20$83,400III1989Aptostar4Ángel Cordero Jr.H. Allen JerkensCentennial Farms7 furlongs1:22.80$85,950III1988Grecian Flight4Craig PerretJoseph H. Pierce Jr.Henry Lindh7 furlongs1:20.80$87,900III 1987North Sider5Ángel Cordero Jr.D. Wayne LukasEugene V. Klein7 furlongs1:24.20$84,900IIIAt Aqueduct1986Le Slew4José A. SantosD. Wayne LukasEugene V. Klein7 furlongs1:23.80$91,050III1985Nany5Jorge VelásquezRichard R. RootHarry Mangurian Jr.7 furlongs1:23.80$86,700III1984Grateful Friend4Ángel Cordero Jr.Frank Martin Sr.Harbor View Farm7 furlongs1:24.00$87,450III 1983Broom Dance4Gregg McCarronJames W. Maloney Jr.Christiana Stables7 furlongs1:22.80$55,800III 1982Westport Native4Jorge VelásquezHoward M. TesherOak Cliff Stable7 furlongs1:22.60$54,300III1981Island Charm4Richard MiglioreStephen A. DiMauroDavid McKibbin7 furlongs1:23.60$54,200III1980Lady Lonsdale5Larry SaumellVincent R. NocellaPic Stable7 furlongs1:24.40$54,200III 1979Frosty Skater4Donald MacBethArthur I. Appleton7 furlongs1:23.20$55,400III1978Dainty Dotsie4Billy PhelpsJames R. Cowden Jr.James R. Cowden Sr.7 furlongs1:21.80$53,600III1977Shy Dawn6Ángel Cordero Jr.Woodrow M. SedlacekJacques Wimpfheimer7 furlongs1:23.80$52,650IIIAt Belmont Park1976My Juliet4Jorge VelásquezEugene H. EusterGeorge Weasel Jr.7 furlongs1:22.00$54,650IIIAt Aqueduct1975Honorable Miss5Jacinto VásquezFrank Y. Whiteley Jr.Pen-Y-Bryn Farm7 furlongs1:22.20$56,800IIIAt Belmont Park1974Coraggioso4Don BrumfieldAnthony L. BasileBwamazon Farm7 furlongs1:22.40$59,900III 1973Krislin4Marco CastanedaStephen A. DiMauroHarold Snyder7 furlongs1:22.60$28,0751972Chou Croute4 Robert Kotenko Robert G. Dunham E. V. Benjamin III7 furlongs1:22.40$29,1501971 Golden Or 5John L. RotzBudd LepmanCrown Stable7 furlongs1:23.00$32,9001970Process Shot3Chuck BaltazarJ. Bowes BondElberon Farm7 furlongs1:23.80$28,0501969§ Grey Slacks4Eddie BelmonteH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm7 furlongs1:23.00$28,4001968Mac's Sparkler6William BolandH. Allen JerkensHobeau Farm7 furlongs1:22.60$28,050At Aqueduct1967Triple Brook5Braulio BaezaA. Ridgely WhiteNorman P. Bate7 furlongs1:23.80$27,600 1966Queen Empress4Braulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyWheatley Stable7 furlongs1:23.00$27,1501965Affectionately5Walter BlumHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs7 furlongs1:23.00$58,900 1964§ No Resisting 4John L. RotzW.C. WinfreyWheatley Stable7 furlongs1:23.80$28,6501963Cicada4Larry AdamsCasey HayesMeadow Stable7 furlongs1:22.80$21,750At Belmont Park1962Rose O'Neill4Manuel YcazaTed SaladinBert W. Martin7 furlongs1:23.60$23,300 1961Sun Glint4Sidney ColeHorace A. JonesCalumet Farm7 furlongs1:23.60$24,650At Aqueduct1960Mommy Dear4William BolandEddie HaywardCircle M Farm7 furlongs1:22.60$29,200 At Belmont Park1959Dandy Blitzen4Phil I. GrimmWilliam A. LaRueB. A. Dario7 furlongs1:22.60$29,650 1958Outer Space4Eldon NelsonJames W. MaloneyMrs. Gerard S. Smith7 furlongs1:23.80$29,6001957Plotter4Pete AndersonWilliam PostHarry La Montagne7 furlongs1:24.20$23,700 1956Miz Clementine5Eddie ArcaroHorace A. JonesCalumet Farm7 furlongs1:23.40$23,200 At Aqueduct1955Searching3Conn McCrearyHirsch JacobsEthel D. Jacobs7 furlongs1:23.60$28,725Talora4Henry MorenoCasey HayesMeadow Stable7 furlongs1:24.60$28,7251954Canadiana (Canada)4Charles O'BrienGordon J. McCannE. P. Taylor7 furlongs1:23.40$32,4501953§ Home-Made3Eric GuerinWilliam C. WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt II7 furlongs1:24.60$24,3251952Marta5Conn McCrearyWoody StephensWoodvale Farm miles1:45.00$28,2501949–1951Race not held1948Conniver4Ted AtkinsonWilliam PostHarry La Montagne miles1:43.60$29,450

Notes:

† In 1999, Hurricane Bertie finished first, but was disqualified and placed second; consequently, Gold Princess was placed first.

§ Ran as part of an entry

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References