Intercontinental Stakes
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| Class | Grade II |
|---|---|
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
| Inaugurated | 2014 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing - Inner Turf |
| Sponsor | MTV Solutions (2024) |
| Website | NYRA |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6 furlongs |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies and Mares, four years old and older |
| Weight | 124 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | $200,000 (2021) |
The Intercontinental Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares aged four years old and older, over a distance of six furlongs on the turf held annually in early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The race was inaugurated in 2014[1] with a stakes purse of $100,000.[2]
The event is held on the Thursday before the Belmont Stakes as part of the Belmont Racing Festival.[3]
In 2017 the event was classified as Grade III.[2]
The race is named after American Champion Female Turf Horse for 2005 Intercontinental who in that year won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.[4]
In 2022 the distance of the event was decreased from seven furlongs to six furlongs.[2]
In 2024 the event was upgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade II status.[5] Also the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park and the distance of the event was decreased to 5+1⁄2 furlongs.[6]
Records
Speed record:
- 6 furlongs: 1:07.59 - Caravel (2022)
- 7 furlongs: 1:19.83 - Significant Form (2019)
Largest margin of victory:
- 3+1⁄2 lengths - Zindaya (2015)
Most wins:
- 2 – Zindaya (2015, 2016)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 – Irad Ortiz Jr. (2019, 2020)
- 2 – José Ortiz (2023, 2025)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 – Chad C. Brown (2016, 2019, 2020)
Most wins by an owner:
- No owner has won this race more than once.