Horse race
The Kitten's Joy Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old at the distance of one and one-sixteenths mile on the turf held annually in late January or early February at Gulfstream Park , Hallandale Beach, Florida . The event currently carries a purse of $175,000.
History
The race was inaugurated in 2012 over the distance of 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles[ 1] after Kitten's Joy [ 2] who was a multiple graded stakes winner and the 2004 American Champion Turf Horse . Kitten's Joy also won the Grade III Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park where this race is held.
The event was shortened in one mile in 2015 and once again in 2018 to the current distance of about 7+ 1 ⁄2 furlongs.[ 3]
In 2020 the event was upgraded to a Grade III .[ 1]
In 2021 the distance of the event was increased to 1 mile.[ 1]
The 2013 winner Charming Kitten and the 2017 winner Kitten's Cat were both sired by Kitten's Joy.[ 3] Also both winners were owned Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey who also owned Kitten's Joy.[ 2]
In 2022 the distance of the event was increased again to 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles.[ 1]
Records
Speed record:
1 mile: 1:39.78 – First World War (2024)
1 mile: 1:35.18 – Chess's Dream (2021)
about 7+ 1 ⁄2 furlongs: 1:28.25 – Island Commish (2020)
Margins:
2+ 1 ⁄2 lengths – Howe Great (2012)
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer
Most wins by an owner
Winners
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Purse
Grade
Ref
2024
First World War
Tyler Gaffalione
Brendan P. Walsh
Qatar Racing & Hunter Valley Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:39.78
$175,000
III
[ 4]
2023
Major Dude
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Todd A. Pletcher
Spendthrift Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:40.22
$175,000
III
[ 5]
2022
Grand Sonata
Tyler Gaffalione
Todd A. Pletcher
Whisper Hill Farm
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.53
$100,000
III
[ 6]
2021
Chess's Dream
Tyler Gaffalione
Michael J. Maker
Michael Dubb, Steven Bouchey, Bethlehem Stables & Chester A. Bishop
1 mile
1:35.18
$100,000
III
[ 7]
2020
Island Commish
Paco Lopez
Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Matthew Schera
abt. 7+ 1 ⁄2 furlongs
1:28.25
$100,000
III
[ 8]
2019
Casa Creed
John R. Velazquez
William I. Mott
LRE Racing & JEH Racing Stable
abt. 7+ 1 ⁄2 furlongs
1:30.64
$100,000
Listed
[ 9]
2018
Flameaway
Julien R. Leparoux
Mark E. Casse
John C. Oxley
abt. 7+ 1 ⁄2 furlongs
1:29.78
$100,000
Listed
[ 10]
2017
Kitten's Cat
Luis Saez
Joe Sharp
Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey
1 mile
1:36.41
$100,000
Listed
[ 11]
2016
J R 's Holiday
Emisael Jaramillo
Jose Garoffalo
J.R. Racing
1 mile
1:35.20
$100,000
Listed
[ 12]
2015
Dubai Sky
John R. Velazquez
William I. Mott
Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stable
1 mile
1:36.05
$100,000
Listed
[ 13]
2014
Storming Inti
Alan Garcia
Chad C. Brown
Santa Rosa Racing Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.34
$100,000
Listed
[ 14]
2013
Charming Kitten
John R. Velazquez
Todd A. Pletcher
Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.43
$100,000
Listed
[ 15]
2012
Howe Great
Edgar S. Prado
H. Graham Motion
Team Valor International
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:40.42
$100,000
Listed
[ 16]
See also
List of American and Canadian Graded races
External links
References