Pennine Ridge Stakes
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Elmont, New York, United States
| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Belmont Park Elmont, New York, United States |
| Inaugurated | 2014 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing – Inner Turf |
| Website | nyra.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-years-olds |
| Weight | 123 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | $300,000 (since 2025) |
| Bonuses | First three placegetters invited to Belmont Derby[1] |
The Pennine Ridge Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the inner turf held annually in late May or early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
The race was inaugurated in 2014[2] with a stakes purse of $200,000.[3]
In 2016 the event was classified as Grade III.[3]
The race is named after the Graded stakes winner Pennine Ridge who in 1994 won the Jamaica Handicap, Hill Prince Stakes and Choice Handicap.[4]
The event is considered a preparatory race for the Belmont Derby which is held in July.
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, NYRA schedule the event at a shorter distance of one mile.[5]
In 2021 the event was moved off the turf due to the inclement weather which affected the turf course. Subsequently the event was downgraded to Grade III.[6]
In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.[7]
The race was moved to Saratoga Racecourse in 2025 and was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade III status and was downgraded one more level as a consequence of being moved off the turf and held on the dirt track.[8][9]
Records
Speed record:
- 1:45.78 – Catholic Boy (2018)
Largest margin of victory:
- 4+1⁄2 lengths – Decorated Invader (2020)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 – Irad Ortiz Jr. (2016, 2022, 2023)
- 3 – Joel Rosario (2020, 2021, 2024)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Todd A. Pletcher (2014, 2021, 2022, 2025)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – WinStar Farm (2021, 2022)
- 2 – Siena Farm (2018, 2022)
- 2 – Robert LaPenta (2018, 2023)
- 2 – Madaket Stables (2018, 2023)