Pilgrim Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series > Pilgrim Stakes

Pilgrim Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
  • Inaugural Race: 1979
  • Distance: 1 1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-Handed, Turf
  • Age Qualifications: Two-year-olds
  • 2022 Purse: $200,000
  • 2022 Race Date: Sunday, October 2nd

2022 Pilgrim Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
3Major DudeIrad Ortiz, Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher$22.40 / $6.70 / $4.20
10I'm Very BusyFlavien Prat / Chad C. Brown$2.80 / $2.40
9LachaiseJose L. Ortiz / Jorge R. Abreu$4.60
2Noble HuntsmanDylan Davis / Mitchell E. Friedman
7Ramblin' WreckManuel Franco / Danny Gargan
6DatamanJoel Rosario / H. Graham Motion
5Battle of NormandyKendrick Carmouche / Claude R. McGaughey III
12MovisitorTrevor McCarthy / Naoise Agnew
4Bramble BlazeMadeline Rowland / Michael Dini
1Fly RightJavier Castellano / Leah Gyarmati
11TorigoJunior Alvarado / Danny Gargan

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (3-10) Paid: $24.30
  • $0.50 Trifecta (3-10-9) Paid: $57.87
  • $0.10 Superfecta (3-10-9-2) Paid: $111.20

Watch the 2022 Pilgrim Stakes

Pilgrim Stakes Race History

The Pilgrim Stakes is a Grade II thoroughbred horse race run each year at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Inaugurated in 1979 at Aqueduct, the race was named for Pilgrim, the winner of the 1919 Remsen Stakes. Pilgrim was owned by Joseph E. Widener, a renowned art collector and major figure in horse racing in the early 20th century. After finding success as an owner of champion-caliber horses (in both flat and steeplechase events), he went on to acquire a sizable portion of Belmont’s breeding stock, as well as a majority stake in the track itself. He served as the track president from 1925 to 1939.

Both the winningest jockey and trainer, John Velazquez and Todd A. Pletcher respectively, have five victories to their name. The last win for Velazquez came in 2007 atop The Leopard, which happened to be Pletcher’s first win at the race.

As part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series, the winner automatically qualifies for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Pilgrim Stakes Past Winners

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2022Major DudeIrad Ortiz Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:46.60
2021AnnapolisIrad Ortiz Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.04
2020Fire At WillKendrick Carmouche / Michael J. Maker1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:43.46
2019StructorIrad Ortiz Jr. / Chad C. Brown1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.46
2018Forty UnderManuel Franco / Jeremiah C. Englehart1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:44.37
2017SeabhacLuis Saez / Todd A. Pletcher1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:43.48
2016Oscar PerformanceJosé L. Ortiz / Brian A. Lynch1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:42.88
2015IsothermJose Lezcano / George Weaver1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.98
2014ImperiaJavier Castellano / Kiaran P. McLaughlin1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.36
2013Bobby's KittenJavier Castellano / Chad C. Brown1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:42.37
2012Noble TuneRamon A. Dominguez / Chad C. Brown1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:47.81
2011Shkspeare ShaliyahAlex O. Solis / Doodnauth Shivmangal1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:51.59
2010Air SupportRajiv Maragh / Claude R. McGaughey III1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:47.87
2009EskendereyaJavier Castellano / Todd A. Pletcher1 Mile / 1:37.85
2008Elusive BluffMichael C. Baze / Eric J. Guillot1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:47.91
2007The LeopardJohn R. Velazquez / Todd A. Pletcher1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.61
2006PickapocketEibar Coa / Frank A. Alexander1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:52.62
2005Fagan's LegacyJoe Bravo / Kelly J. Breen1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:52.11
2004Crown PointJose L. Espinoza / David G. Donk1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:50.31
2003TimoJohn R. Velazquez / William Badgett Jr.1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:57.46
2002One ColonyAaron Gryder / Mark A. Hennig1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:51.00
2001Miesque's ApprovalJerry D. Bailey / William I. Mott1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:50.80
2000VolponiJohn R. Velazquez / Philip G. Johnson1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:48.02
1999Kachemak BayJohn R. Velazquez / John P. Campo Jr.1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:54.67
1998Incurable OptimistJohn R. Velazquez / David G. Donk1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:48.05
1997Cryptic RascalMike E. Smith / William Badgett Jr.1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:50.83
1996AcceleratorMike E. Smith / Claude R. McGaughey III1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.80
1995Play It Again StanHerb McCauley / Frank A. Generazio Jr.1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:50.20
1994Diplomatic JetJerry D. Bailey / Philip M. Serpe1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:46.67
1993Dove HuntJerry D. Bailey / Neil J. Howard1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:44.60
1992AwadJulie Krone / David G. Donk1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:42.60
1991Smiling and DancinRichard Migliore / Stephen L. DiMauro1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.20
1990Fourstars AllstarMike E. Smith / Leo O'Brien1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:51.60
1989Super MarioRichard Migliore / D. Wayne Lukas1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:56.00
1988Tuneful TipCarl Gambardella / Ronald J. Dandy1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:59.00
1987Blew by EmChris Antley / Michael H. Daggett1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:53.60
1986David's BirdJean-Luc Samyn / Philip G. Johnson1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:53.00
1985PillasterÁngel Cordero Jr. / LeRoy Jolley1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:54.40
1984Tent UpVincent Bracciale Jr. / John W. Hicks1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:53.20
1983 (Division 1)Pied A' TierreLarry Saumell / Ronald L. Benshoff1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:51.40
1983 (Division 2)VisionEddie Maple / Woodford C. Stephens1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:50.20
1982FortnightlyÁngel Cordero Jr. / Edward I. Kelly Jr.1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:57.60
1981Gnome's GoldJean-Luc Samyn / Patrick J. Kelly1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:57.20
1980AkureyriEddie Maple / Woodford C. Stephens1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:54.80
1979 (Division 1)FreeoSam Maple / Joseph B. Cantey1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:53.00
1979 (Division 2)I Take AllÁngel Cordero Jr. / Edward I. Kelly Sr.1 1⁄8 Miles / 1:52.40