Athenia_Handicap

Athenia Stakes

Horse race

The Athenia Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three-years-old and older run over at a distance of a mile and an eighth on the turf held annually in October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of US150,000.

Quick Facts Location, Inaugurated ...

Athenia Stakes
Race information
Listed race
Location	Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated	1978 (as Athenia Handicap)
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	NYRA
Distance	1+1⁄8 miles
Surface	Turf
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	Fillies & Mares, three-year-olds and older
Weight	Base weights with allowances: 4-year-olds and up: 126 lbs. 3-year-olds: 122 lbs.
Purse	US150,000 (2023)

History

The Athenia Stakes is named in honor of Hal Price Headley's filly Athenia, who won in 1946 the Ladies Handicap over the distance of 1+1⁄2 miles as well as the Misty Isle Handicap and Artful Handicap at Washington Park Race Track in Chicago.^[1] Athenia also was the granddam of Sir Ivor, the 1968 Horse of the Year in the United Kingdom and Leading broodmare sire in Britain & Ireland in 1983.

The inaugural running of the event was on 13 September 1978 as The Athenia Handicap for three-year-old fillies at 1+1⁄4 miles in distance and was won by the Terpsichorist who was trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens and ridden by Michael Venezia in a time of 2:031⁄5.^[2] The event continued to be restricted to three-year-old fillies until 1983.

In 1980 the event was classified as Grade III.^[3] In 2005 the event was moved to the main track due to the inclement weather and consequently was downgraded.^[3]

The race has been held at Aqueduct Racetrack several times with the last such running in 2004.^[4]

The event was raced in split divisions in 1982 and 2001.^[5]

The event has been contested at various distances over its history with the current distance of 1+1⁄8 miles being reinstated in 2021.^[3]

The event in 2022 was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.^[6]

In 2023 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status^[7]

Records

Speed record:

1+1⁄16 miles: 1:39.94 – Pianist (2013)
1+1⁄8 miles: 1:47.11 – Rapid Selection (1997)
1+1⁄4 miles: 2:00.40 – Love Sign (1980), De La Rosa (1981)
1+3⁄8 miles: 2:13.20 – Capades (1989)

Margins:

20 lengths – Rose Crescent (1983)

Most wins:

2 – Babae (2001, 2002)

Most wins by an owner:

2 – Rokeby Stables (1983, 1988)
2 – Harbor View Farm (1994, 1995)
2 – Joseph Platt Jr. (2001, 2002)
2 – Juddmonte Farms (1991, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey:

6 – Jorge F. Chavez (1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005)

Most wins by a trainer:

8 – Chad C. Brown (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Winners

More information Year, Winner ...

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
At Aqueduct – Athenia Stakes
2023	Technical Analysis (IRE)	5	Jose L. Ortiz	Chad C. Brown	Klaravich Stables	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.20	$150,000	Listed	^[8]
2022	Love And Thunder (IRE)	5	Jose L. Ortiz	Chad C. Brown	John D. Gunther & Tanya Gunther	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.07	$169,750	III	^[9]
At Belmont Park
2021	Pocket Squares (GB)	4	Jose L. Ortiz	Chad C. Brown	Juddmonte Farms	1+1⁄8 miles	1:51.19	$194,000	III	^[10]
2020	Tapit Today	5	Jose L. Ortiz	Chad C. Brown	William H. Lawrence & Bradley Thoroughbreds	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.56	$100,000	III	^[11]
2019	Xenobia (IRE)	5	John R. Velazquez	Jonathan Thomas	Augustin Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.21	$200,000	III	^[12]
2018	Rymska (FR)	4	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Chad C. Brown	Sheep Pond Partners, Alain Jathiere, Thomas Coleman & Elayne Stables	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.59	$200,000	III	^[13]
2017	Off Limits (IRE)	5	Joel Rosario	Chad C. Brown	Martin S. Schwartz	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.73	$200,000	III	^[14]
2016	Roca Rojo (IRE)	4	Javier Castellano	Chad C. Brown	Sheep Pond Partners, Newport Stables & Bradley Thoroughbreds	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.20	$200,000	III	^[15]
2015	Stellar Path (FR)	4	Joel Rosario	Christophe Clement	Trevor C. Stewart	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.41	$200,000	III	^[16]
2014	La Tia	5	Joel Rosario	Armando De La Cerda	Salvador Hernandez	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.36	$200,000	III	^[17]
2013	Pianist	4	Jose L. Ortiz	Chad C. Brown	Hidden Brook Farm & Dan Zucker	1+1⁄16 miles	1:39.94	$200,000	III	^[18]
2012	La Cloche	5	Junior Alvarado	James J. Toner	Phillips Racing Partnership	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.15	$150,000	III	^[19]
2011	Denomination	5	Joe Bravo	Christophe Clement	Ghislaine Head	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.17	$100,000	III	^[20]
2010	Eye of Taurus	4	Eddie Castro	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Harvey A. Clarke	1+1⁄16 miles	1:47.04	$100,000	III	^[21]
2009	Belle Allure (IRE)	4	Ramon A. Dominguez	Christophe Clement	Ronchalon Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.30	$106,500	III	^[22]
Athenia Handicap
2008	Sunshine for Life	4	Channing Hill	Richard E. Schosberg	Jane M. Schosberg	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.55	$110,300	III	^[23]
2007	Criminologist	4	John R. Velazquez	Claude R. McGaughey III	Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.09	$109,100	III	^[24]
2006	Pommes Frites	4	Jose A. Santos	William I. Mott	Haras Santa Maria de Araras	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.95	$112,300	III	^[25]
2005	Asti (IRE)	4	Jorge F. Chavez	H. Allen Jerkens	H. Joseph Allen	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.57	$111,300	Listed	Off turf^[26]
At Aqueduct
2004	Finery	4	Pablo Fragoso	William H. Turner Jr.	Althea D. Richards	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.73	$115,700	III	^[27]
2003	Caught in the Rain	4	Richard Migliore	Guadalupe Preciado	Heiligbrodt Stable & Walter L. New	1+1⁄16 miles	1:47.00	$113,000	III	^[28]
2002	Babae (CHI)	6	Jorge F. Chavez	Frank A. Alexander	Joseph Platt Jr.	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.90	$116,700	III	^[29]
At Belmont Park
2001	Verruma (BRZ)	5	John R. Velazquez	Angel A. Penna Jr.	Earle I. Mack & Jael Barros	1+1⁄16 miles	1:40.40	$137,875	III	Division 1^[30]
2001	Babae (CHI)	5	Jorge F. Chavez	Frank A. Alexander	Joseph Platt Jr.	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.09	$137,875	III	Division 2^[31]
At Aqueduct
2000	Wild Heart Dancing	4	Jorge F. Chavez	Eugene F. Brajczewski Jr.	My Jo Lee Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.40	$112,500	III	^[32]
1999	Antoniette	4	Jorge F. Chavez	Joseph P. Schlich	Calumet Farm	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.89	$111,400	III	^[33]
1998	Tampico	5	Joe Bravo	Barclay Tagg	Ronald G. Cullis	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.90	$85,350	III	^[34]
At Belmont Park
1997	Rapid Selection	4	Joe Bravo	Linda L. Rice	Clyde D. Rice	1+1⁄8 miles	1:47.11	$109,900	III	^[35]
1996	Sixieme Sens	4	Jerry D. Bailey	Robert J. Frankel	Three Plus U Stable	1 mile	1:37.80	$111,100	III	^[36]
At Aqueduct
1995	Caress	4	Robbie Davis	H. Allen Jerkens	Harbor View Farm	1+1⁄8 miles	1:54.18	$113,900	III	Off turf^[37]
1994	Lady Affirmed	3	Jorge F. Chavez	H. Allen Jerkens	Harbor View Farm	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.66	$87,076	III	^[38]
At Belmont Park
1993	Trampoli	4	Mike E. Smith	Christophe Clement	Paul de Moussac	1+3⁄8 miles	2:17.16	$90,000	III	^[39]
1992	Fairy Garden	4	Julie Krone	Roger L. Attfield	Michael J. Ryan	1+3⁄8 miles	2:13.62	$86,700	III	^[40]
1991	Flaming Torch (IRE)	4	Pat Valenzuela	Robert J. Frankel	Juddmonte Farms	1+3⁄8 miles	2:13.99	$93,000	III	^[41]
1990	Buy the Firm	4	Jerry D. Bailey	Jose A. Martin	Thomas Mara	1+3⁄8 miles	2:18.20	$87,750	III	Off turf^[42]
1989	Capades	3	Angel Cordero Jr.	Richard O'Connell	Poma Stable	1+3⁄8 miles	2:13.20	$90,800	III	^[43]
1988	High Browser	3	Pat Day	MacKenzie Miller	Rokeby Stables	1+3⁄8 miles	2:18.60	$96,300	III	^[44]
1987	Lead Kindly Light	4	Julio Molina Pezua	Angel A. Penna Jr.	Cynthia Phipps	1+3⁄8 miles	2:23.80	$94,800	III	^[45]
1986	Dawn's Curtsey	4	Eddie Maple	John M. Veitch	Darby Dan Farm	1+3⁄8 miles	2:16.00	$92,400	III	^[46]
1985	Videogenic	3	Jean Cruguet	Gasper S. Moschera	Albert Davis	1+3⁄8 miles	2:15.40	$101,700	III	^[47]
1984	Key Dancer	3	Angel Cordero Jr.	William J. Hirsch Jr.	Oxford Stable	1+3⁄8 miles	2:14.80	$94,500	III	^[48]
1983	Rose Crescent	3	Robbie Davis	MacKenzie Miller	Rokeby Stables	1+3⁄8 miles	2:22.00	$57,300	III	^[49]
At Aqueduct – for 3YO fillies
1982	Mintage (FR)	3	Jean-Luc Samyn	Philip G. Johnson	Meadowhill	1+3⁄8 miles	2:17.80	$54,650	III	Division 1^[50]
1982	Middle Stage	3	Jimmy J. Miranda	John P. Campo	Buckland Farm	1+3⁄8 miles	2:17.40	$54,650	III	Division 2^[51]
At Belmont Park – for 3YO fillies
1981	De La Rose	3	Eddie Maple	Woodford C. Stephens	Henryk de Kwiatkowski	1+1⁄4 miles	2:00.40	$85,200	III	^[52]
1980	Love Sign	3	Ruben Hernandez	Sidney J. Watters Jr.	Stephen C. Clark Jr.	1+1⁄4 miles	2:00.40	$84,150	III	^[53]
1979	Poppycock	3	Jorge Velasquez	Woodford C. Stephens	Claiborne Farm	1+1⁄4 miles	2:03.60	$87,450		Off turf^[54]
1978	Terpsichorist	3	Michael Venezia	Woodford C. Stephens	Hickory Tree Stable	1+1⁄4 miles	2:03.20	$55,500		^[2]

Legend:
Dirt Turf

:See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

[1]
"List of Winners named Athenia". 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[2]
"Racing Section (1978 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 13 September 1978)". Shreveport Journal. The Associated Press. 14 September 1978. p. 30. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[3]
"Athenia Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[4]
"ATHENIA STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[5]
"ATHENIA STAKES (2ND. DIV.) - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[6]
Ehalt, Bob (28 July 2022). "NYRA Shifts Belmont Fall Meet to Aqueduct Change will allow construction of infield tunnel, redevelopment plan to begin". Retrieved 22 August 2022.
[7]
"American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
[8]
"2023 Athenia Stakes Listed - (race 7)". Equibase. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
[9]
"2022 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
[10]
"2021 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
[11]
"2020 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
[12]
"2019 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[13]
"2018 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[14]
"2017 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[15]
"2016 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[16]
"2015 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[17]
"2014 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[18]
"2013 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[19]
"2012 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[20]
"2011 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[21]
"2010 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[22]
"2009 Athenia Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[23]
"2008 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[24]
"2007 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[25]
"2006 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 2006. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[26]
"2005 Athenia Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[27]
"2004 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 31 October 2004. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[28]
"2003 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 November 2003. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[29]
"2002 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 November 2002. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[30]
"2001 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 Division 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[31]
"2001 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 Division 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[32]
"2000 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 29 October 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[33]
"1999 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 31 October 1999. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[34]
"1998 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 November 1998. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[35]
"1997 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 October 1997. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[36]
"1996 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 October 1996. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[37]
"1995 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 November 1995. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[38]
"1994 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 October 1994. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[39]
"1993 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 3 October 1993. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[40]
"1992 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 October 1992. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[41]
"1991 Athenia Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 October 1991. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[42]
"Buy The Firm wins Belmont 4-horse race (1990 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 13 October 1990)". Press and Sun-Bulletin. Associated Press. 14 October 1990. p. 19. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
[43]
"Capades captures Athenia (1989 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 9 October 1989)". Asbury Park Press. Associated Press. 10 October 1989. p. 41. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
[44]
"High Browser wins Belmont feature (1988 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 10 October 1988)". Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. 11 October 1988. p. 27. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
[45]
"Thoroughbred Racing (1987 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 12 October 1987)". The Courier-Journal. 13 October 1987. p. 39. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
[46]
"Belmont Park Racing Charts (1986 Athenia Handicap – race 7: held 18 October 1986)". New York Daily News. 19 October 1986. p. 164. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[47]
"Belmont Park Racing Charts (1985 Athenia Handicap – race 7: held 19 October 1985)". White Plains Journal News. The Associated Press. 20 October 1985. p. 64. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[48]
"Cordero, Key Dancer waltz away with Athenia (1984 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 7 October 1984)". Hackensack Record. The Record's Wire Services. 20 October 1984. p. 67. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[49]
"Rose Crescent wins Athenia (1983 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 2 October 1983)". New York Daily News. 3 October 1983. p. 111. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[50]
"Mintage, Middle Stage win in Aqueduct's Athenia (1982 Athenia Handicap Division 1 – race 6: held 13 October 1980)". The Miami News. The Associated Press. 14 October 1980. p. 38. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[51]
"Rain greets Aqueduct (1982 Athenia Handicap Division 2 – race 8: held 13 October 1980)". The Herald Statesman. The Associated Press. 14 October 1980. p. 31. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[52]
Gaffer, Wes (13 October 1981). "De la Rose wins; set for Canada (1981 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 12 October 1981)". New York Daily News. p. 65. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[53]
"Love Sign wins Athenia on Belmont turf course (1980 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 1 October 1980)". The Miami News. The Associated Press. 2 October 1980. p. 53. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
[54]
"Poppycock wins Athenia Handicap (1979 Athenia Handicap – race 8: held 1 October 1979)". The Miami News. The Associated Press. 2 October 1979. p. 19. Retrieved 20 October 2020.

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