Ballerina Handicap

Breeders' Cup Challenge Series > Ballerina Handicap

Ballerina Handicap Race Facts

• Location: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY
• Inaugural Race: 1979
• Distance: 7/8ths of a mile (7 furlongs)
• Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
• Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds and up
• 2024 Purse: $500,000
• 2024 Race Date: Saturday, August 24th

2024 Ballerina Handicap Race Results

Exotic Payoffs:

• $1.00 Exacta (4-5) Paid: $13.30
• $0.50 Trifecta (4-5-3) Paid: $11.90
• $0.10 Superfecta (4-5-3-1) Paid: $17.22

Watch the 2024 Ballerina Handicap

Ballerina Handicap Race History

Named for Howard E. Jackson's famed filly, the Ballerina Handicap is a Grade I horse race held each year at the Saratoga Race Course in New York. In 1981 the event was listed as a Grade III, but by 1988 the race was upgraded to Grade I due to the increased quality in competition and winners, like Ambassador of Luck (1983 edition winner and US Champion) and Lady's Secret (1985 edition winner and 1986 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner).

Another notable winner of the race is Maryfield (2007), who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint that year and was also crowned American Champion Sprint Horse. Shine Again is the only multiple time winner with back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002, and John Velasquez holds the record for most wins by a jockey with five (2005, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2021). Additionally, trainer C.R. McGaughey III has notched a record 5 wins (1984, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1999) for himself.

As a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" Series, the winner of each year's race is automatically entered into the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Ballerina Handicap Past Winners