Saratoga Special Stakes

Horseraces infobox
class = Grade II
horse race = Saratoga Special Stakes


caption =
location = Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York flagicon|USA
inaugurated = 1901
race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing
website = [http://www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html Saratoga Race Course]
distance = 6½ furlongs
track = Dirt, left-handed
qualification = Two-year-olds
weight = Assigned
purse = $150,000
bonuses = The Saratoga Special Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is for two-year-olds willing to race six and a half furlongs on the dirt.

First run in 1901, the Saratoga Special was a winner-take-all race until 1959 when it became a standard stakes race. The race was held at Belmont Park on the Widener Course in 1943, 1944, and 1945. Thee was no race in 1911 and 1912 due to the New York State legislated ban on parimutuel betting that led to the closure of all New York racetracks. There was also no race held in 2004.

Since inception it has been contested at various distances:
* 5.5 furlongs : 1901-1906
* 6 furlongs : 1907-1993
* 6½ furlongs : 1994 to present

Only four horses have ever won all three Saratoga Racecourse events for two-year-olds. Regret (1914), Campfire (1916), Dehere (1993), and City Zip (2000) each swept the Saratoga Special, Sanford Stakes and Hopeful Stakes.

Records

Speed record:
* 1:09.55 - Caller I. D. (1991)

Most wins by a jockey:
* 7 - Eddie Arcaro (1935, 1947, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1958, 1959)

Most wins by an owner:
* 4 - Harry Payne Whitney (1914, 1920, 1922, 1929)
* 4 - George D. Widener (1923, 1930, 1950, 1969)

Winners of the Saratoga Special

*In 1953, Porterhouse finished first, but was disqualified and set back to last.
*† In 1935, there was a dead heat for first.

References

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0at6tTgEvNc Video at YouTube of the 1993 Saratoga Special Stakes]
* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?search_bar=stakes&query_type=stakes&field=view&id=147 The Saratoga Special Stakes at Pedigree Query]
* [http://www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html Details of the Saratoga Special Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course official website]