Just a Game Stakes

{{Infobox horseraces

| surface = Turf

| class = Grade I

| horse race = Just A Game Stakes

| image =

| caption =

| location = Belmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States

| inaugurated = 1992

| race type = ThoroughbredFlat racing

| website = [https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/stakes-schedule/longines-just-a-game/ NYRA]

| distance = 1 mile (8 furlongs)

| track = Left-handed

| qualification = Fillies & Mares, four-years-old and older

| weight = 124lbs with allowances

| purse = US$500,000 (2021)

| bonuses =

}}

The Just A Game Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up run over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on the turf held annually in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of $500,000.

History

The race is named in honor of Peter Brant's filly, Just A Game, who was voted 1980 American Champion Female Turf Horse honors.

The event was inaugurated on Independence Day in 1992 and run over a distance of {{frac|1|3|8}} miles on a muddy dirt track, won by Lady Lear who defeated the Irish Bred favorite by a length in a time of 2:15{{frac|9|10}}.

The event was not held in 1993 but the next year the event was moved to the turf and run over a mile.{{Cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Stakes&stkid=1137#pastWinners |title=Just a Game Stakes (Gr. 1) |last=Equibase.com |website=Equibase|date=2020 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

The event was classified as a Grade III in 1997, upgraded to Grade II in 2004 and a Grade I in 2008.

The event carried Breeders' Cup incentives between 1996 and 2005 which were reflected in the name of the event.

Several mares have won this event who later became champions. The 2000 winner Perfect Sting later that year won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and was crowned US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2004 British bred winner Intercontinental returned the following year only to get defeated into second place by Sand Springs but by the end of the season she made amends by winning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and also becoming the 2005

US Champion Female Turf Horse. The 2015 winner Tepin continued en route to a Breeders' Cup Mile win and honored as 2015 US Champion Female Turf Horse.

In 2024 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.{{cite web |title=NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga |url= https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/news/nyra-announces-stakes-schedule-for-the-2024-aqueduct-spring-meet |website=nyra.com |publisher=New York Racing Association |access-date=5 May 2024 |date=January 24, 2024}}

Records

Speed record:

  • 1:31.64 – Celestine (2016)

Margins:

  • 6 lengths – Elizabeth Bay (1994)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Caress (1995, 1996)

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Winner

! Age

! Jockey

! Trainer

! Owner

! Distance

! Time

! Purse

! Grade

! Ref

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11|At Saratoga – Just a Game Stakes

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2024

|Chili Flag (FR)

|align=center |5

|Irad Ortiz Jr.

|Chad C. Brown

|Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb & Michael E. Kisber

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.01

|align=center |$500,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web |title=2024 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10) |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=10&BorP=P&TID=SAR&CTRY=USA&DT=06/07/2024&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |website=Equibase |date=7 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11| At Belmont Park

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2023

|In Italian (GB)

|align=center |5

|Irad Ortiz Jr.

|Chad C. Brown

|Peter M. Brant

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.00

|align=center |$485,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web |title=2023 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4) |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=BEL&raceDate=06/09/2023&cy=USA&rn=4 |website=Equibase |access-date=9 June 2023}}

-style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2022

|Regal Glory

|align=center |6

|José Ortiz

|Chad C. Brown

|Peter M. Brant

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.00

|align=center |$480,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web |title=2022 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4) |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=4&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/11/2022&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |website=Equibase |access-date=11 June 2022}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2021

|Althiqa (GB)

|align=center |4

|Mike E. Smith

|Charlie Appleby

|Godolphin

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:33.90

|align=center |$500,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web |title=2021 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8) |url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=BEL&raceDate=06/05/2021&cy=USA&rn=8 |website=Equibase |access-date=5 June 2021}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2020

|{{nowrap|Newspaperofrecord (IRE)}}

|align=center |4

|Irad Ortiz Jr.

|Chad C. Brown

|Klaravich Stables

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.62

|align=center |$250,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/BEL062720USA.pdf |title=2020 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10) |work=Equibase |date=27 June 2020 |accessdate=29 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2019

|Rushing Fall

|align=center |4

|Javier Castellano

|Chad C. Brown

|e Five Racing Thoroughbreds

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:31.67

|align=center |$671,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=4&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/08/2019&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2019 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 4) |work=Equibase |date=8 June 2019 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2018

|{{nowrap|A Raving Beauty (GER)}}

|align=center |5

|Irad Ortiz Jr.

|Chad C. Brown

|Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Bethlehem Stables

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.14

|align=center |$700,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/09/2018&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2018 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=9 June 2018 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2017

|Antonoe

|align=center |4

|Javier Castellano

|Chad C. Brown

|Juddmonte Farms

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.12

|align=center |$687,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/10/2017&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2017 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=10 June 2017 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2016

|Celestine

|align=center |4

|Junior Alvarado

|William I. Mott

|James Bryan, Jr

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:31.64

|align=center |$700,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/11/2016&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2016 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=11 June 2016 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2015

|Tepin

|align=center |4

|Julien R. Leparoux

|Mark E. Casse

|Robert E. Masterson

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:35.65

|align=center |$700,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/06/2015&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2015 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=6 June 2015 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2014

|Coffee Clique

|align=center |4

|Javier Castellano

|Brian A. Lynch

|Amerman Racing

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.52

|align=center |$750,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/07/2014&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2014 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=7 June 2014 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2013

|Stephanie's Kitten

|align=center |4

|John R. Velazquez

|Wayne M. Catalano

|Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:36.27

|align=center |$500,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/08/2013&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2013 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=8 June 2013 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2012

|Tapitsfly

|align=center |5

|{{nowrap|Ramon A. Dominguez}}

|Dale L. Romans

|Frank Jones Jr.

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.34

|align=center |$500,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/09/2012&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2012 Longines Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=9 June 2012 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2011

|C. S. Silk

|align=center |5

|Javier Castellano

|Dale L. Romans

|William Pacella, Fred Barbara & George Bonomo

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:40.53

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/11/2011&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2011 Foxwoods Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=11 June 2011 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2010

|Proviso (GB)

|align=center |5

|Mike E. Smith

|William I. Mott

|Juddmonte Farms

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.09

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/05/2010&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2010 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=5 June 2010 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2009

|Diamondrella (GB)

|align=center |5

|Rajiv Maragh

|Angel A. Penna Jr.

|Castletop Stable

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:36.49

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/06/2009&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2009 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=6 June 2009 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2008

|Ventura

|align=center |4

|Garrett K. Gomez

|Robert J. Frankel

|Juddmonte Farms

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.75

|align=center |$400,000

|align=center |I

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/07/2008&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2008 Just a Game Stakes Grade 1 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=7 June 2008 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/45639/ventura-pulls-upset-in-just-a-game|title= The 2008 Just A Game Handicap |work= Bloodhorse.com}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2007

My Typhoon (IRE)

|align=center |5

|Eddie Castro

|William I. Mott

|Live Oak Plantation

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.92

|align=center |$294,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/09/2007&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2007 Just a Game Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=9 June 2007 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11|Just a Game Handicap

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2006

|Gorella (FR)

|align=center |4

|Julien R. Leparoux

|{{nowrap|Patrick L. Biancone}}

|Martin S. Schwartz

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:37.14

|align=center |$285,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/10/2006&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2006 Just a Game Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=10 June 2006 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2005

|Sand Springs

|align=center |5

|John R. Velazquez

|William I. Mott

|Sangster Family Stable

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:33.05

|align=center |$300,000

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/11/2005&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2005 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=11 June 2005 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2004

Intercontinental (GB)

|align=center |4

|Jerry D. Bailey

|Robert J. Frankel

|Juddmonte Farms

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:33.33

|align=center |$226,333

|align=center |II

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/05/2004&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2004 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=5 June 2004 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2003

|§ Mariensky

|align=center |4

|José A. Santos

|Christophe Clement

|Waterville Lake Stable

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:43.28

|align=center |$214,500

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/07/2003&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2003 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=7 June 2003 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2002

|Babae (CHI)

|align=center |6

|Jorge F. Chavez

|Frank A. Alexander

|Joseph P. Platt Jr.

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.57

|align=center |$147,200

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/08/2002&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2002 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=8 June 2002 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2001

|License Fee

|align=center |6

|Pat Day

|W. Elliott Walden

|Winstar Farm

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.62

|align=center |$189,050

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/09/2001&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2001 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=9 June 2001 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |2000

|Perfect Sting

|align=center |4

|Jerry D. Bailey

|Joe Orseno

|Stronach Stables

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:34.48

|align=center |$165,800

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=5&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/10/2000&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2000 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5) |work=Equibase |date=10 June 2000 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1999

|Cozy Blues

|align=center |5

|Jorge F. Chavez

|H. James Bond

|Sandy & Joanne Dew

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:33.33

|align=center |$157,700

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=5&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/05/1999&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1999 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 5) |work=Equibase |date=5 June 1999 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1998

|Witchful Thinking

|align=center |4

|Chris McCarron

|{{nowrap|Niall M. O'Callaghan}}

|Leslie R. Grimm

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:33.45

|align=center |$157,325

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=6&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/06/1998&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1998 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 6) |work=Equibase |date=6 June 1998 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1997

|Memories of Silver

|align=center |4

|Jerry D. Bailey

|James J. Toner

|Joan & John Phillips

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.90

|align=center |$158,950

|align=center |III

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/08/1997&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1997 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=8 June 1997 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1996

|† Caress

|align=center |5

|Robbie Davis

|H. Allen Jerkens

|Harbor View Farm

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:33.30

|align=center |$158,150

|align=center | Listed

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/09/1996&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1996 Just a Game Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=9 June 1996 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="left" colspan=11|Just a Game Stakes

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1995

|Caress

|align=center |4

|Robbie Davis

|H. Allen Jerkens

|Harbor View Farm

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.53

|align=center |$82,000

|align=center |Listed

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/11/1995&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1995 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=11 June 1995 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:lightcyan"

|align=center |1994

|Elizabeth Bay

|align=center |4

|Mike E. Smith

|William I. Mott

|Mohammed Al Maktoum

|align=center |1 mile

|align=center |1:32.85

|align=center |$55,550

|align=center |Listed

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=8&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=06/15/1994&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1994 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 8) |work=Equibase |date=15 June 1994 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

style="font-size:90%; background-color:white"

|align="center" |1993

|align="center" colspan=10|Race not held

style="font-size:90%; background-color:beige"

|align=center |1992

|Lady Lear

|align=center |5

|Gerry Brocklebank

|Linda L. Rice

|Mark Weiss

|align=center |{{frac|1|3|8}} miles

|align=center |2:15.90

|align=center |$78,900

|align=center | Listed

|{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=7&BorP=P&TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DT=07/04/1992&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=1992 Just a Game Stakes Listed – (race 7) |work=Equibase |date=4 July 1992 |accessdate=26 June 2020}}

{{refbegin}}

Legend:


{{Legend inline|LightCyan|Turf}}

{{Legend inline|Beige|Dirt}}


Notes:


† In 1996, Class Kris finished first but was disqualified and set back to second


§ Ran as part of an entry

{{refend}}

See also

References