John A. Nerud Stakes
Horse race
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The John A. Nerud Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four years old or older at a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt run annually in May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $175,000.
Elmont, New York, United States
| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
| Inaugurated | 2008 (at Saratoga Race Course as James Marvin Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | NYRA |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and older |
| Weight | 124 lbs. with allowances |
| Purse | $175,000 (2025) |
| Bonuses | Winner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Sprint |
History
The race was inaugurated on 9 August 2008 as the James Marvin Stakes at Saratoga Race Course over a distance of six furlongs.[1] The event was named after James Marvin, a noted hotel owner and politician in Saratoga Springs in the 19th century. Marvin was one of the first members of the Saratoga Association that founded Saratoga Race Course in 1863. He later became a director of the Association and was its president from 1877 to 1891.[2]
The following year the event was run over a longer distance of seven furlongs.[3] In 2012, the race was classified as a Grade III event.[1] In 2014, the race was moved to Belmont and became part of the Stars and Stripes Festival and was renamed to the Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes.[1][4]
Clearly Now set a track record at Belmont Park when winning the 2014 renewal in 1:19.96.[5]
In 2017, the race was upgraded to Grade II status by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association[6] and became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series – the winner will receive an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.[7]
In 2019 the race was renamed to the John A. Nerud Stakes in honor of the late John Nerud, a prominent thoroughbred owner and trainer who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.[8]
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, NYRA did not schedule the event in their updated and shortened spring-summer meeting.[9]
In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[10]
In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade III status[11] and moved in the racing calendar schedule to May.
Records
Speed record:
- 7 furlongs – 1:19.96 Clearly Now (2014)
Margins:
- 6+1⁄4 lengths – Clearly Now (2014)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 – Cornelio Velásquez: (2009, 2013)
- 2 – Joel Rosario: (2012, 2017)
- 2 – Flavien Prat: (2022, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 2 – Todd Pletcher: (2021, 2022)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – WinStar Farm: (2022, 2024)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Aqueduct - John A. Nerud Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2026 | Durante | 7 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | David Jacobson | David Jacobson | 6 furlongs | 1:10.45 | $175,000 | III | [12] |
| 2025 | Whatchatalkcinabout | 4 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Wesley A. Ward | Ice Wine Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:09.03 | $169,750 | III | [13] |
| 2024 | Mullikin | 4 | Flavien Prat | Rodolphe Brisset | Siena Farm & WinStar Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:20.54 | $194,000 | II | [14] |
| At Belmont Park | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Three Technique | 6 | Javier Castellano | Jason Cook | David E. Miller, Eric Grindley & John Werner | 7 furlongs | 1:21.88 | $250,000 | II | [15] |
| 2022 | Life Is Good | 4 | Flavien Prat | Todd Pletcher | WinStar Farm & China Horse Club | 7 furlongs | 1:21.70 | $232,500 | II | [16] |
| 2021 | Mind Control | 5 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Red Oak Stable & Madaket Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:21.94 | $250,000 | II | [17] |
| 2020 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 2019 | Promises Fulfilled | 4 | Luis Saez | Dale L. Romans | Robert J. Baron | 7 furlongs | 1:21.75 | $300,000 | II | [18] |
| Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2018 | Limousine Liberal | 6 | Jose L. Ortiz | Ben Colebrook | Katherine G. Ball | 7 furlongs | 1:21.53 | $343,000 | II | [19] |
| 2017 | Mind Your Biscuits | 4 | Joel Rosario | Chad Summers | J Stables, Head of Plains Partners, M. Scott, Daniel, Chad Summers, & Michael E. Kisber | 7 furlongs | 1:21.84 | $350,000 | II | [20] |
| 2016 | A. P. Indian | 6 | Joe Bravo | Arnaud Delacour | Green Lantern Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:21.41 | $400,000 | III | [21] |
| 2015 | Private Zone (CAN) | 6 | Martin A. Pedroza | Jorge Navarro | Good Friends Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.57 | $384,000 | III | [22] |
| 2014 | Clearly Now | 4 | Jose Lezcano | Brian A. Lynch | Up Hill Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:19.96 | $400,000 | III | [23] |
| At Saratoga – James Marvin Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2013 | Sage Valley | 4 | Cornelio Velasquez | Rudy R. Rodriguez | Michael Dubb & Gary Aisquith | 7 furlongs | 1:22.49 | $100,000 | III | [24] |
| 2012 | Pacific Ocean | 5 | Joel Rosario | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Dennis Narlinger | 7 furlongs | 1:22.53 | $100,000 | III | [25] |
| 2011 | Jackson Bend | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Nicholas P. Zito | Robert LaPenta & Fred Brei | 7 furlongs | 1:20.91 | $78,000 | Listed | [26] |
| 2010 | Vineyard Haven | 4 | Alan Garcia | Saeed bin Suroor | Godolphin Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.30 | $75,000 | Listed | [27] |
| 2009 | Gold Trippi | 5 | Cornelio Velasquez | Stanley M. Hough | E. Paul Robsham Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:22.30 | $73,950 | [28] | |
| 2008 | Eternal Star | 4 | Ramon A. Dominguez | Michael J. Trombetta | Harry C. & Tom O. Meyerhoff | 6 furlongs | 1:08.79 | $102,500 | Listed | [29] |