Pilgrim Stakes

The Pilgrim Stakes, inaugurated in 1979, is a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 2-year-olds that serves as a key prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Traditionally held at Belmont Park and temporarily run at Aqueduct during renovations, the race has produced numerous future graded winners and international contenders, maintaining its status as one of the fall’s most important juvenile turf tests.

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Bet the Pilgrim Stakes

Location: Belmont Park - Elmont, NY

Inaugural Race: 1979

TV Coverage: Stream live on TwinSpires!

Current Distance: 1 1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs)

Track Type: Left-handed, Turf

Age Qualification: Two-year-olds

Purse: $200,000

Race Date: Friday, October 3rd

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2025 Pilgrim Stakes Race Results

POST
HORSE
JOCKEY / TRAINER
WIN / PLACE / SHOW
4
Bottas
Manuel Franco / Miguel Clement
$4.48 / $2.86 / $2.56
2
Heeere’s Johnny
Javier Castellano / Raymond Handal
$4.96 / $3.50
11
Let’s Be Frank
Joel Rosario / Michael J. Maker
$5.26
6
Scope
Kendrick Carmouche / Todd A. Pletcher
8
Noble Dynasty
Junior Alvarado / William I. Mott
9
Capital Partner (GB)
Dylan Davis / Chad C. Brown
3
Teleport (IRE)
Ricardo Santana, Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher
5
Truman’s Commander
Christopher Elliott / Mark E. Casse
7
Baytown Dreamer
Luis R. Rivera, Jr. / Paul McEntee
1
Ball of Fire
Samuel Marin / Joseph F. Orseno

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (4-2) Paid: $12.39
  • $0.50 Trifecta (4-2-11) Paid: $46.00
  • $0.10 Superfecta (4-2-11-6) Paid: $63.79

Watch the 2025 Pilgrim Stakes

2025 Pilgrim Stakes Morning Line Odds

Post
Horse
Jockey / Trainer
ML Odds
1
Bottas
Manuel Franco / Miguel Clement
2-1
2
Heeere’s Johnny
Javier Castellano / Raymond Handal
6-1
3
Let’s Be Frank
Joel Rosario / Michael J. Maker
10-1
4
Scope
Kendrick Carmouche / Todd A. Pletcher
10-1
5
Noble Dynasty
Junior Alvarado / William I. Mott
9-2
6
Capital Partner
Dylan Davis / Chad C. Brown
6-1
7
Teleport
Ricardo Santana, Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher
12-1
8
Truman’s Commander
Christopher Elliott / Mark E. Casse
30-1
9
Baytown Dreamer
Ben Curtis / Paul McEntee
30-1
10
Ball of Fire
Samuel Marin / Joseph F. Orseno
20-1

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.

In 2022, the event was temporarily moved to its original home at Aqueduct due to redevelopment work at Belmont Park. 

Jockey John Velazquez has a record five victories to his name and trainer Todd A. Pletcher has a record six wins. 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

Year
Winner
Jockey / Trainer
Distance / Time
2025
Bottas
Manuel Franco / Miguel Clement
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:42.63
2024
Zulu Kingdom (IRE)
Joel Rosario / Chad C. Brown
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:48.67
2023
Agate Road
Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:42.83
2022
Major Dude
Irad Ortiz Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:46.60
2021
Annapolis
Irad Ortiz Jr. / Todd A. Pletcher
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.04
2020
Fire At Will
Kendrick Carmouche / Michael J. Maker
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:43.46
2019
Structor
Irad Ortiz Jr. / Chad C. Brown
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:41.46
2018
Forty Under
Manuel Franco / Jeremiah C. Englehart
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:44.37
2017
Seabhac
Luis Saez / Todd A. Pletcher
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:43.48
2016
Oscar Performance
José L. Ortiz / Brian A. Lynch
1 1⁄16 Miles / 1:42.88

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