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 6+1⁄2 furlongs on the dirt track held annually in late May or early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Vagrancy Stakes

Class	Grade III
Location	Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated	1948 (as Vagrancy Handicap)
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	NYRA
Race information
Distance	6+1⁄2 furlongs.
Surface	Dirt
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Fillies & Mares, four-years-old & up
Weight	124 lbs. with allowances
Purse	$175,000 (2023)

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 1:433⁄5 over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.^[1] Later that year Conniver was voted the 1948 American Champion Older Female Horse.

The event was idle from 1949 through 1951.^[2]

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: 1+1⁄16 miles in 1948 and 1952, 7 furlongs between 1953–1997 and 6+1⁄2 furlongs from 1998 to today.^[2]

In 1955, the Vagrancy Handicap was run in two divisions.^[3]

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.^[4] This race was downgraded to a Grade III for its 2014 running.^[5]

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.^[4]

Records

Speed record:

• 6+1⁄2 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:

• 5 – John Velazquez (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2018)

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)

Winners

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
At Aqueduct – Vagrancy Stakes
2025	Haulin Ice	4	John R. Velazquez	Saffie A. Joesph Jr.	C Two Racing Stable, Paul Braverman, Miller Racing & Timothy Pinch	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.10	$175,000	III	[6]
2024	Leave No Trace	4	Jose Lezcano	Phillip M. Serpe	WellSpring Stables	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.91	$175,000	III	[7]
At Belmont Park
2023	Caramel Swirl	5	Junior Alvarado	William I. Mott	Godolphin	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.98	$175,000	III	[8]
Vagrancy Handicap
2022	Bella Sofia	4	Luis Saez	Rudy R. Rodriguez	Sofia Soares, Michael Imperio, Vincent S. Scuderi, Matthew Mercurio, & Parkland Thoroughbreds	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.02	$145,500	III	[9]
2021	Victim of Love	5	Joel Rosario	Todd Beattie	Tommy Town Thoroughbred	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.27	$145,500	III	[10]
2020	Victim of Love	4	Jose Lezcano	Todd Beattie	Tommy Town Thoroughbred	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.27	$100,000	III	[11]
2019	Heavenhasmynikki	5	Kendrick Carmouche	Robert B. Hess Jr.	Ron Paolucci Racing	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.44	$194,000	III	[12]
2018	Kirby's Penny	5	John R. Velazquez	Wesley A. Ward	Kent Spellman	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.44	$200,000	III	[13]
2017	By the Moon	5	Rajiv Maragh	Michelle Nevin	Jay Em Ess Stable	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.44	$200,000	III	[14]
2016	Paulassilverlining	4	José L. Ortiz	Michelle Nevin	Vincent S. Scuderi	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.82	$147,000	III	[15]
2015	La Verdad	5	José L. Ortiz	Linda L. Rice	Lady Sheila Stable	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.17	$147,000	III	[16]
2014	Merry Meadow	4	Rajiv Maragh	Mark A. Hennig	William Parsons Jr. & David Howe	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.36	$150,000	III	[17]
2013	Glorious View	4	Junior Alvarado	William I. Mott	Laue Ranch	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.96	$200,000	II	[18]
2012	§ C C's Pal	5	Junior Alvarado	Richard E. Dutrow Jr.	Eric Fein	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.10	$200,000	II	[19]
2011	Hilda's Passion	4	Javier Castellano	Todd A. Pletcher	Starlight Racing	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:14.81	$147,000	II	[20]
2010	Hour Glass	4	David Cohen	Todd A. Pletcher	Mill House Stable	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.80	$140,000	II	[21]
2009	Carolyn's Cat	4	Alan Garcia	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.34	$147,000	II	[22]
2008	Looky Yonder	4	Garrett K. Gomez	Richard E. Dutrow Jr.	Lansdon B. Robbins III	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.63	$147,000	II	[23]
2007	Indian Flare	5	Javier Castellano	Robert J. Frankel	Juddmonte Farms	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.44	$150,000	II	[24]
2006	Dubai Escapade	4	Edgar S. Prado	Eoin G. Harty	Darley Stable	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.39	$150,000	II	[25]
2005	Sensibly Chic	5	John R. Velazquez	Timothy J. Tullock Jr.	Lois S. Nervitt	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.31	$150,000	II	[26]
2004	Bear Fan	5	John R. Velazquez	Wesley A. Ward	Peter Fan & W. Ward	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:14.46	$150,000	II	[27]
2003	Shawklit Mint	4	Richard Migliore	Patrick L. Reynolds	Flatbird Stable	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.38	$136,500	II	[28]
2002	Xtra Heat	4	Harry Vega	John E. Salzman Sr.	Harry Deitchman, Kenneth Taylor, John E. Salzman Sr. & John E. Salzman Jr.	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.44	$150,000	II	[29]
2001	Dat You Miz Blue	4	John R. Velazquez	James A. Jerkens	Cynthia Knight	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.32	$106,800	III	[30]
2000	Country Hideaway	4	Jerry D. Bailey	Claude R. McGaughey III	Ogden Phipps	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:17.05	$109,400	III	[31]
1999	† Gold Princess	4	John R. Velazquez	Gary Sciacca	Windbound Farms	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.57	$106,400	III	[32]
1998	Chip	5	Joe Bravo	Sonny Hine	Carolyn Hine	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.69	$81,575	III	[33]
At Aqueduct
1997	Inquisitive Look	4	Jorge F. Chavez	Richard L. Stoklosa	Robert Kaufman	7 furlongs	1:22.07	$108,000	III	[34]
At Belmont Park
1996	Twist Afleet	5	Julie Krone	John C. Kimmel	Lucille Conover	7 furlongs	1:20.94	$112,931	III	[35]
1995	Sky Beauty	5	Mike E. Smith	H. Allen Jerkens	Georgia E. Hofmann	7 furlongs	1:21.56	$77,382	III	[36]
1994	Sky Beauty	4	Mike E. Smith	H. Allen Jerkens	Georgia E. Hofmann	7 furlongs	1:21.67	$81,426	III	[37]
1993	Spinning Round	4	Jorge F. Chavez	Carl J. Domino	Kinsman Stable	7 furlongs	1:24.52	$87,900	III	[38]
1992	Nannerl	5	José A. Santos	Flint S. Schulhofer	Marablue Farm	7 furlongs	1:22.55	$85,350	III	[39]
1991	Queena	5	Mike E. Smith	Claude R. McGaughey III	Emory A. Hamilton	7 furlongs	1:22.00	$91,800	III	[40]
1990	Mistaurian	4	Herb McCauley	Stephen A. DiMauro	Bernard Chaus	7 furlongs	1:25.20	$83,400	III	[41]
1989	Aptostar	4	Ángel Cordero Jr.	H. Allen Jerkens	Centennial Farms	7 furlongs	1:22.80	$85,950	III	[42]
1988	Grecian Flight	4	Craig Perret	Joseph H. Pierce Jr.	Henry Lindh	7 furlongs	1:20.80	$87,900	III	[43]
1987	North Sider	5	Ángel Cordero Jr.	D. Wayne Lukas	Eugene V. Klein	7 furlongs	1:24.20	$84,900	III	[44]
At Aqueduct
1986	Le Slew	4	José A. Santos	D. Wayne Lukas	Eugene V. Klein	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$91,050	III	[45]
1985	Nany	5	Jorge Velásquez	Richard R. Root	Harry Mangurian Jr.	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$86,700	III	[46]
1984	Grateful Friend	4	Ángel Cordero Jr.	Frank Martin Sr.	Harbor View Farm	7 furlongs	1:24.00	$87,450	III	[47]
1983	Broom Dance	4	Gregg McCarron	James W. Maloney Jr.	Christiana Stables	7 furlongs	1:22.80	$55,800	III	[48]
1982	Westport Native	4	Jorge Velásquez	Howard M. Tesher	Oak Cliff Stable	7 furlongs	1:22.60	$54,300	III	[49]
1981	Island Charm	4	Richard Migliore	Stephen A. DiMauro	David McKibbin	7 furlongs	1:23.60	$54,200	III	[50]
1980	Lady Lonsdale	5	Larry Saumell	Vincent R. Nocella	Pic Stable	7 furlongs	1:24.40	$54,200	III	[51]
1979	Frosty Skater	4	Donald MacBeth	Lawrence W. Jennings Jr.	Arthur I. Appleton	7 furlongs	1:23.20	$55,400	III	[52]
1978	Dainty Dotsie	4	Billy Phelps	James R. Cowden Jr.	James R. Cowden Sr.	7 furlongs	1:21.80	$53,600	III	[53]
1977	Shy Dawn	6	Ángel Cordero Jr.	Woodrow M. Sedlacek	Jacques Wimpfheimer	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$52,650	III	[54]
At Belmont Park
1976	My Juliet	4	Jorge Velásquez	Eugene H. Euster	George Weasel Jr.	7 furlongs	1:22.00	$54,650	III	[55]
At Aqueduct
1975	Honorable Miss	5	Jacinto Vásquez	Frank Y. Whiteley Jr.	Pen-Y-Bryn Farm	7 furlongs	1:22.20	$56,800	III	[56]
At Belmont Park
1974	Coraggioso	4	Don Brumfield	Anthony L. Basile	Bwamazon Farm	7 furlongs	1:22.40	$59,900	III	[57]
1973	Krislin	4	Marco Castaneda	Stephen A. DiMauro	Harold Snyder	7 furlongs	1:22.60	$28,075		[58]
1972	Chou Croute	4	Robert Kotenko	Robert G. Dunham	E. V. Benjamin III	7 furlongs	1:22.40	$29,150		[59]
1971	Golden Or	5	John L. Rotz	Budd Lepman	Crown Stable	7 furlongs	1:23.00	$32,900		[60]
1970	Process Shot	3	Chuck Baltazar	J. Bowes Bond	Elberon Farm	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$28,050		[61]
1969	§ Grey Slacks	4	Eddie Belmonte	H. Allen Jerkens	Hobeau Farm	7 furlongs	1:23.00	$28,400		[62]
1968	Mac's Sparkler	6	William Boland	H. Allen Jerkens	Hobeau Farm	7 furlongs	1:22.60	$28,050		[63]
At Aqueduct
1967	Triple Brook	5	Braulio Baeza	A. Ridgely White	Norman P. Bate	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$27,600		[64]
1966	Queen Empress	4	Braulio Baeza	Edward A. Neloy	Wheatley Stable	7 furlongs	1:23.00	$27,150		[65]
1965	Affectionately	5	Walter Blum	Hirsch Jacobs	Ethel D. Jacobs	7 furlongs	1:23.00	$58,900		[66]
1964	§ No Resisting	4	John L. Rotz	W.C. Winfrey	Wheatley Stable	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$28,650		[67]
1963	Cicada	4	Larry Adams	Casey Hayes	Meadow Stable	7 furlongs	1:22.80	$21,750		[68]
At Belmont Park
1962	Rose O'Neill	4	Manuel Ycaza	Ted Saladin	Bert W. Martin	7 furlongs	1:23.60	$23,300		[69]
1961	Sun Glint	4	Sidney Cole	Horace A. Jones	Calumet Farm	7 furlongs	1:23.60	$24,650		[70]
At Aqueduct
1960	Mommy Dear	4	William Boland	Eddie Hayward	Circle M Farm	7 furlongs	1:22.60	$29,200		[71]
At Belmont Park
1959	Dandy Blitzen	4	Phil I. Grimm	William A. LaRue	B. A. Dario	7 furlongs	1:22.60	$29,650		[72]
1958	Outer Space	4	Eldon Nelson	James W. Maloney	Mrs. Gerard S. Smith	7 furlongs	1:23.80	$29,600		[73]
1957	Plotter	4	Pete Anderson	William Post	Harry La Montagne	7 furlongs	1:24.20	$23,700		[74]
1956	Miz Clementine	5	Eddie Arcaro	Horace A. Jones	Calumet Farm	7 furlongs	1:23.40	$23,200		[75]
At Aqueduct
1955	Searching	3	Conn McCreary	Hirsch Jacobs	Ethel D. Jacobs	7 furlongs	1:23.60	$28,725		Division 1[76]
	Talora	4	Henry Moreno	Casey Hayes	Meadow Stable	7 furlongs	1:24.60	$28,725		Division 2[77]
1954	Canadiana (Canada)	4	Charles O'Brien	Gordon J. McCann	E. P. Taylor	7 furlongs	1:23.40	$32,450		[78]
1953	§ Home-Made	3	Eric Guerin	William C. Winfrey	Alfred G. Vanderbilt II	7 furlongs	1:24.60	$24,325		[79]
1952	Marta	5	Conn McCreary	Woody Stephens	Woodvale Farm	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.00	$28,250		[80]
1949–1951		Race not held
1948	Conniver	4	Ted Atkinson	William Post	Harry La Montagne	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.60	$29,450		[1]

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