The Runhappy Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four years old or older at a distance of six furlongs on the dirt run annually in early May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $175,000.

Runhappy Stakes
Grade III race
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated2014 (as Diablo Stakes)
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Race information
Distance6 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and older
Weight124 lbs. with allowances
PurseUS$175,000 (since 2023)

History

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The event was inaugurated on 14 May 2014 as the Diablo Stakes and was won by the favorite Sensational Slam who defeated four other runners over 6 furlongs (Approx. 1.2km) in a time of 1:09.07.[1] The event was marred by the disqualification of the second place finisher Green Grotto who was placed third and Royal Currier installed in second for interference 18 mile from the finishing post. [2] The event was named after the versatile sprinter Diablo who won the 1991 Grade II True North Handicap and the 1992 Grade III Finger Lakes Budweiser Breeders' Cup. [3]

In 2018 the event was renamed to the Runhappy Stakes in honor of the 2015 US Champion Sprint Horse Runhappy.[4]

The event was upgraded to Grade III in 2020[5] but was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Belmont Park ran a shortened meeting and the event was cancelled in favor of the rescheduled Carter Handicap being moved from Aqueduct Racetrack.[6]

In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[7]

Records

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Speed record:

  • 6 furlongs – 1:08.12 Firenze Fire (2019)

Margins:

  • 4+34 lengths – Firenze Fire (2019)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Stallwalkin' Dude (2015, 2017)
  • 2 – Firenze Fire (2019, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 2 – David Jacobson (2015, 2017)

Most wins by an owner:

  • 2 – David Jacobson (2015, 2017)
  • 2 – Mr. Amore Stable (2019, 2021)

Winners

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time Purse Grade Ref
At Aqueduct – Runhappy Stakes
2024 Joey Freshwater 4 Jose Lezcano Linda L. Rice Winning Move Stable 1:09.41 $169,750 III [8]
At Belmont Park
2023 Candy Man Rocket 5 Junior Alvarado William I. Mott Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, Inc. 1:09.33 $175,000 III [9]
2022 Drafted 8 José Ortiz David P. Duggan Dublin Fjord Stables, Racepoint Stables, Kevin D. Hilbert, & Thom O'Keefe 1:10.84 $139,500 III [10]
2021 Firenze Fire 6 Irad Ortiz Jr. Kelly Breen Mr. Amore Stable 1:09.76 $145,500 III [11]
2020 Race not held
2019 Firenze Fire 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Jason Servis Mr. Amore Stable 1:08.12 $150,000 Listed [12]
2018 Westwood 4 John R. Velazquez Kiaran P. McLaughlin Godolphin 1:09.45 $147,000 Listed [13]
Diablo Stakes
2017 Stallwalkin' Dude 7 Joe Bravo David Jacobson David Jacobson & Head of Plains Partners 1:10.16 $100,000 Listed [14]
2016 Joking 7 Manuel Franco Charlton Baker Charlton Baker 1:09.44 $100,000 Listed [15]
2015 Stallwalkin' Dude 5 Angel Cruz David Jacobson David Jacobson 1:09.48 $98,000 [16]
2014 Sensational Slam 6 Cornelio Velasquez Patrick Quick Paradise Farms 1:09.07 $98,000 [1]

See also

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List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

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  1. ^ a b "2014 Diablo Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Sensational Slam wins Belmont's Diablo Stakes". ESPN. Associated Press. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Diablo Results History". Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. ^ "DIABLO STAKES - BELMONT PARK, NY". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. ^ Schweigardt, Andrew (2019). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2020". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  6. ^ Ehalt, Bob (19 May 2020). "Belmont Park to Open for Racing June 3". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. ^ "NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga". nyra.com. New York Racing Association. January 24, 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  8. ^ "2024 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  9. ^ "2023 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  10. ^ "2022 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  11. ^ "2021 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  12. ^ "2019 Runhappy Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  13. ^ "2018 Runhappy Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  14. ^ "2017 Diablo Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  15. ^ "2016 Diablo Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  16. ^ "2015 Diablo Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2021.