Sycamore Stakes
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Lexington, Kentucky, United States
| Class | Grade II |
|---|---|
| Location | Keeneland Lexington, Kentucky, United States |
| Inaugurated | 1995 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www.keeneland.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and older |
| Weight | Base weight with allowances 4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs. 3-year-olds: 122 lbs. |
| Purse | US$300,000 (since 2022) |
The Sycamore Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds or older, over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles on the turf held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky during the autumn meeting. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
The inaugural running of the event was on 12 October 1995 over a distance of 1+5⁄8 miles and was won by Frank Mansell's five-year-old Lindon Lime who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Craig Perret.[1] Lindon Lime started as the even money favorite and won finishing strongly by 4+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 2:42.11 setting a new track record for the distance.[2]
In 2001 the distance was reduced one furlong to 1+1⁄2 miles.[1] The event was won by Rochester who in his career win the event two more times (2002, 2005) and placing third as well in 2004.[3]
In 2015 the event was upgraded to a Grade III.[1]
Due to extremely wet conditions, the Sycamore was run "off the turf" on the polytrack in 2011.[4] The event was also run at 1+5⁄8 miles, originally scheduled for 1+1⁄2 miles. The American Graded Stakes Committee determined that the race lose its grade for the 2013 running which was also run on the polytrack.[5]
Between 2001 and 2006 the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event which reflected in the name of the event.[1]
In 2025 the event was upgraded to Grade II by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.[6]
Records
Speed record
- 1+1⁄2 miles: 2:26.08 (new track record) Highway Robber (2024)
- 1+5⁄8 miles (turf): 2:38.68 Royal Strand (IRE) (1999)
- 1+5⁄8 miles (polytrack): 2:39.40 Sanagas (GER) (2011)
Margins
- 5+1⁄2 lengths: Royal Strand (IRE) (1999)
Most wins:
- 3 – Rochester (2001, 2002, 2005)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Pat Day (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 5 – Jonathan E. Sheppard (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009)
Most wins by an owner:
- 6 – Augustin Stable (2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2014, 2015)