Messenger Stakes

{{Infobox horseraces

| class = Triple Crown

| horse race = Messenger Stakes

| image =

| caption =

| location = Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, New York

| inaugurated = {{start date and age|1955|p=y}}

| race type = Standardbred

| website = {{URL|http://www.hambletonian.org/staking/messenger_stake.html}}

| distance = {{convert|1|mi|furlong}}

| surface = Dirt

| track = Left-handed

| qualification = 3-year-olds

| weight =

| purse = US$500,000

| bonuses =

}}

The Messenger Stakes is an American harness racing event for 3-year-old pacing horses.[http://www.hambletonian.org/resources/MessengerStakesHistory.pdf] Messenger Stakes history It was organized in 1956 at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury, New York (on suburban Long Island) to join with the Cane Pace and the Little Brown Jug to create the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers. The race is named in honor of Messenger (1780–1808), a horse foaled in England and later brought to the United States. As a sire, virtually all harness horses in the U.S. can be traced back to Messenger.

One of the preeminent events for harness racing horses in North America, the race was held annually at Roosevelt Raceway until it closed down in 1988. From 1988 to 1994, the race changed locations several times, from Yonkers Raceway (Yonkers, New York) to Freestate Raceway to Rosecroft Raceway (both in Maryland). In 1995, it moved to The Meadows Racetrack in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. In 2004, the race was supposed to be moved back to Yonkers Raceway. However, due to construction at the track, the race was moved to Harrington Raceway in Delaware, where the event was held in 2004 and '05. The race moved back to Yonkers Raceway in November 2006. The 2015 edition was raced at Yonkers on September 5 for a total purse of US$500,000.{{cite news | title = THSI Stakes & Other Races | publisher = The Hambletonian Society | url = http://www.hambletonian.org/index.cfm?content=71 | accessdate = 2006-10-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070302051700/http://www.hambletonian.org/index.cfm?content=71 |archive-date = 2007-03-02}}

Much like the Little Brown Jug, the Messenger was raced in heat events, meaning a horse had to win an elimination heat and the final on the same day to be declared the winner. Starting from 2006 at Yonkers, there will be eliminations, if necessary, one week prior to the event.

Locations

1956–1987 - Roosevelt Raceway
1988, 2006–present - Yonkers Raceway
1989 - Freestate Raceway
1990–1994 - Rosecroft Raceway
1995–2003 - The Meadows Racetrack and Casino
2004–2005 - Harrington Raceway & Casino

Records

; Most wins by a driver:

8 – John Campbell (1986, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2004)

; Most wins by a trainer:

8 – Billy Haughton (1956, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1985)

; Stakes record:

1:50 3/5 – Allamerican Ingot (2002)

Messenger Stakes winners

class="wikitable sortable"
style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:35px" \| Year ! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:130px"\| Winner ! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:140px"\| Driver ! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:140px"\| Trainer ! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:460px"\| Owner ! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:45px"\| Time ! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:45px"\| Purse
2024 \|Sweet Beach Life \|Tyler Buter \|Travis Alexander \|A Sweet Beach Life Stable \|1:53 1/5 \|$225,000
2023 \|Captain Batboy \|Jordan Stratton \|Tom Fanning \|Joseph Smith \|1:57 4/5 \|$250,000
2022 \|Pleaseletmeknow \|Matt Kakaley \|Travis Alexander \|Fiddler's Creek Stables \|1:51 3/5 \|$261,730
2021 \|American Courage \|Matt Kakaley \|Travis Alexander \|Fiddler's Creek Stables \|1:51 2/5 \|$500,000
2020 \|cancelled \| \| \| \| \|
2019 \|American Mercury \|Tyler Buter \|Chris Oakes \|Crawford Racing, Northfork Racing, Pompey & Bice \|1:51 3/5 \|$500,000
2018 \|Stay Hungry \|Doug McNair \|Tony Alagna \|Bradley Grant & Irwin Samelman \|1:52 1/5 \|$500,000
2017 \|Downbytheseaside \|Brian Sears \|Brian Brown \|Country Club Acres, Sbrocco, Lombardo & Diamond Creek \|1:52 1/5 \|$500,000
2016 \|Racing Hill \|Brett Miller \|Tony Alagna \|Tom Hill \|1:53 0/0 \|$500,000
2015 \|Revenge Shark \|Yannick Gingras \|Tony Alagna \|Alagna Racing & Bradley Grant \|1:53 1/5 \|$500,000
2014 \|All Bets Off \|Matt Kakaley \|Ron Burke \|Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, et al. \|1:51 1/5 \|$500,000
2013 \|Ronny Bugatti \|Jason Bartlett \|Allan Johnson \|Eric Prevost, Bridget McNeese, Tom Haughton \|1:51 4/5 \|$450,000
2012 \|Bolt The Duer \|Mark J. MacDonald \|Peter Foley \|All Star Racing Inc. (John Como Sr. & Jr.) \|1:51 2/5 \|$415,820
2011 \|Roll With Joe \|Ronald Pierce \|Edward Hart \|Winbak Farm, Blue Chip Bloodstock, et al. \|1:52 4/5 \|$401,000
2010 \|Rock N Roll Heaven \|Daniel Dubé \|Bruce Saunders \|Frank Bellino \|1:51 4/5 \|$437,100
2009 \|If I Can Dream \|Tim Tetrick \|Tracy Brainard \|Bulletproof Enterprises \|1:52 2/5 \|$542,060
2008 \|Somebeachsomewhere \|Paul MacDonell \|Brent MacGrath \|Schooner Stables \|1:52 1/5 \|$650,000
2007 \|Always A Virgin \|Brian Sears \|Joe Holloway \|Bluestone Farms, et al. \|1:52 0/0 \|$725,480
2006 \|Palone Ranger \|Ronald Pierce \|Gregory Peck \|Four Friends & Perretti Racing Stables LLC \|1:54 3/5 \|$546,830
2005 \|Gryffindor \|David Miller \|Brendan Johnson \|Jim Winske, Bill Donovan, Milt Leeman \|1:52 0/0 \|$218,475
2004 \|Metropolitan \|John Campbell \|Christopher J. Ryder \|Norman &Gerald Smiley \|1:52 2/5 \|$340,950
2003 \|No Pan Intended \|David Miller \|Ivan Sugg \|Peter Pan Stables Inc. (Robert Glazer) \|1:52 4/5 \|$252,945
2002 \|Allamerican Ingot \|David Miller \|Robert McIntosh \|Robert Waxman \|1:50 3/5 \|$260,610
2001 \|Bagel Beach Boy \|Luc Ouellette \|Jim Campbell \|Lloyd F. Arnold \|1:52 1/5 \|$254,385
2000 \|Ain't No Stoppin' Him \|John Campbell \|Joe Holloway \|John & Patricia Celli \|1:52 3/5 \|$323,421
1999 \|Blissfull Hall \|Ronald Pierce \|Benjamin Wallace \|Daniel Plouffe \|1:51 1/5 \|$347,760
1998 \|Fit For Life \|John Campbell \|Brett Pelling \|Brittany Farms & Val D'Or Farms \|1:52 2/5 \|$387,380
1997 \|Western Dreamer \|Michel Lachance \|Nathaniel C. Varty \|Matthew, Patrick & Daniel Daly \|1:51 3/5 \|$331,300
1996 \|Go For Grins \|Dave Palone \|Christopher J. Ryder \| \|1:52 2/5 \|$333,080
1995 \|David's Pass \|John Campbell \|Brett Pelling \|RJS Stable \|1:52 4/5 \|$328,825
1994 \|Cam's Card Shark \|John Campbell \|William G. Robinson \|Jeffrey S. Snyder \|1:51 0/0 \|$342,595
1993 \|Riyadh \|Jim Morrill Jr. \|William G. Robinson \|R. Peter Heffering \|1:52 2/5 \|$328,305
1992 \|Western Hanover \|William Fahy \|Gene Riegle \|George Segal \|1:53 1/5 \|$366,750
1991 \|Die Laughing \|Richard Silverman \|Roger Goldstein \|Alnoff Stable & Val D'Or Farms \|1:51 1/5 \|$475,000
1990 \|Jake And Elwood \|John Campbell \|Ken Seeber \|Louis P. Guida \|1:52 3/5 \|$444,371
1989 \|Sandman Hanover \|Bill O'Donnell \|Ken Seeber \|LPG Standardbred & MRF Racing Stable \|1:53 2/5 \|$451,069
1988 \|Matt's Scooter \|Michel Lachance \|Harry J. Poulton \|Gordon & Illa Rumpel, Charles Juravinski \|1:56 3/5 \|$461,310
1987 \|Redskin \|John Campbell \|Jerry Smith \|Jerry Smith \|1:58 0/0 \|$447,310
1986 \|Amity Chef \|John Campbell \|Blair Burgess \|Cantario Farms, Blair Burgess, Bland & Baugh \|1:55 4/5 \|$363,762
1985 \|Pershing Square \|Bill O'Donnell \|Billy Haughton \|Louis P. Guida \|1:55 2/5 \|$483,560
1984 \|Troublemaker \|Bill O'Donnell \|Gene Riegle \|George Segal \|1:57 3/5 \|$379,343
1983 \|Ralph Hanover \|Ron Waples \|Stewart Firlotte \|Ron Waples, Pointsetta Stables, Grants Direct Stables \|1:57 0/0 \|$379,004
1982 \|Cam Fella \|Pat Crowe \|Pat Crowe \|Norman Clements & Norman Faulkner \|1:57 3/5 \|$259,578
1981 \|Seahawk Hanover \|Ben Webster \|Samuel Lewis \|Dave Harris, Samuel Lewis, et al. \|1:58 0/0 \|$224,955
1980 \|Niatross \|Clint Galbraith \|Clint Galbraith \|Niatross Syndicate \|1:59 3/5 \|$173,522
1979 \|Hot Hitter \|Henri Filion \|Louis Meittinis \|Solomon Katz, S A J & Alterman Stables \|1:59 4/5 \|$180,225
1978 \|Abercrombie \|Glen Garnsey \|Glen Garnsey \|L. Keith Bulen & Shirley A. Mitchell \|1:58 2/5 \|$167,682
1977 \|Governor Skipper \|John Chapman \|H. "Bucky" Norris \|Ivanhoe Stable \|1:59 1/5 \|$159,155
1976 \|Windshield Wiper \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|Irving G. Liverman \|2:00 0/0 \|$161,920
1975 \|Bret's Champ \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|Edward W. Andrews \|1:59 1/5 \|$154,222
1974 \|Armbro Omaha \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|J. Elgin Armstrong \|1:59 3/5 \|$151,043
1973 \|Valiant Bret \|Lucien Fontaine \|Harry Tudor \|P.G. & Jere Gray \|2:00 3/5 \|$122,732
1972 \|Silent Majority \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|Irving G. Liverman & Aline White \|2:01 4/5 \|$154,733
1971 \|Albatross \|Stanley Dancer \|Stanley Dancer \|Amicable Stable \|2:00 2/5 \|$114,977
1970 \|Most Happy Fella \|Stanley Dancer \|Stanley Dancer \|Egyptian Acres Stable \|2:02 3/5 \|$123,450
1969 \|Bye Bye Sam \|Stanley Dancer \|Stanley Dancer \|Jane Falley Galt \|2:02 3/5 \|$182,976
1968 \|Rum Customer \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|Louis & Connie Manucuso & Kennilworth Farm \|2:01 4/5 \|$189,018
1967 \|Romulus Hanover \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|Farmstead Acres Farm \|1:59 1/5 \|$178,064
1966 \|Romeo Hanover \|George Sholty \|Jerry Silverman \|Lucky Star Stables & Morton Finder \|2:01 0/0 \|$169,885
1965 \|Bret Hanover \|Frank Ervin \|Frank Ervin \|Richard Downing \|2:02 0/0 \|$151,252
1964 \|Race Time \|Ralph N. Baldwin \|Ralph N. Baldwin \|Castleton Farm \|2:01 2/5 \|$150,960
1963 \|Overtrick \|John F. Patterson Sr. \|John F. Patterson Sr. \|Allwood Stable (Leonard & Helen Buck) \|2:00 4/5 \|$146,324
1962 \|Thor Hanover \|John F. Simpson Sr. \|John F. Simpson Sr. \|J. F. Simpson Sr., T. W. Murphy, Lawrence B. & C. N. Shepherd \|2:01 1/5 \|$169,430
1961 \|Adios Don \|Robert Camper \|Robert Camper \|Harold Large \|2:02 4/5 \|$145,377
1960 \|Countess Adios \|Delvin Miller \|Delvin Miller \|J. Elgin & Ted Armstrong & Hugh A. Grant Sr. \|2:02 1/5 \|$142,786
1959 \|Adios Butler \|Clint Hodgins \|Clint Hodgins \|Paige West & Angelo Pellillo \|2:00 1/5 \|$110,994
1958 \|O'Brien Hanover \|James W. Jordan \|Delvin Miller \|Hugh A. Grant Sr. \|2:01 4/5 \|$108,565
1957 \|Meadow Lands \|Delvin Miller \|Delvin Miller \|Hugh A. Grant Sr. & Del Miller \|2:04 4/5 \|$100,084
1956 \|Belle Action \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|Billy Haughton \|2:01 2/5 \|$71,500

class="wikitable sortable"

style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:35px" | Year

! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:130px"| Winner

! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:140px"| Driver

! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:140px"| Trainer

! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:460px"| Owner

! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:45px"| Time

! style="background-color:#DACAA5; width:45px"| Purse

2024

|Sweet Beach Life

|Tyler Buter

|Travis Alexander

|A Sweet Beach Life Stable

|1:53 1/5

|$225,000

2023

|Captain Batboy

|Jordan Stratton

|Tom Fanning

|Joseph Smith

|1:57 4/5

|$250,000

2022

|Pleaseletmeknow

|Matt Kakaley

|Travis Alexander

|Fiddler's Creek Stables

|1:51 3/5

|$261,730

2021

|American Courage

|Matt Kakaley

|Travis Alexander

|Fiddler's Creek Stables

|1:51 2/5

|$500,000

2020

|cancelled

2019

|American Mercury

|Tyler Buter

|Chris Oakes

|Crawford Racing, Northfork Racing, Pompey & Bice

|1:51 3/5

|$500,000

2018

|Stay Hungry

|Doug McNair

|Tony Alagna

|Bradley Grant & Irwin Samelman

|1:52 1/5

|$500,000

2017

|Downbytheseaside

|Brian Sears

|Brian Brown

|Country Club Acres, Sbrocco, Lombardo & Diamond Creek

|1:52 1/5

|$500,000

2016

|Racing Hill

|Brett Miller

|Tony Alagna

|Tom Hill

|1:53 0/0

|$500,000

2015

|Revenge Shark

|Yannick Gingras

|Tony Alagna

|Alagna Racing & Bradley Grant

|1:53 1/5

|$500,000

2014

|All Bets Off

|Matt Kakaley

|Ron Burke

|Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, et al.

|1:51 1/5

|$500,000

2013

|Ronny Bugatti

|Jason Bartlett

|Allan Johnson

|Eric Prevost, Bridget McNeese, Tom Haughton

|1:51 4/5

|$450,000

2012

|Bolt The Duer

|Mark J. MacDonald

|Peter Foley

|All Star Racing Inc. (John Como Sr. & Jr.)

|1:51 2/5

|$415,820

2011

|Roll With Joe

|Ronald Pierce

|Edward Hart

|Winbak Farm, Blue Chip Bloodstock, et al.

|1:52 4/5

|$401,000

2010

|Rock N Roll Heaven

|Daniel Dubé

|Bruce Saunders

|Frank Bellino

|1:51 4/5

|$437,100

2009

|If I Can Dream

|Tim Tetrick

|Tracy Brainard

|Bulletproof Enterprises

|1:52 2/5

|$542,060

2008

|Somebeachsomewhere

|Paul MacDonell

|Brent MacGrath

|Schooner Stables

|1:52 1/5

|$650,000

2007

|Always A Virgin

|Brian Sears

|Joe Holloway

|Bluestone Farms, et al.

|1:52 0/0

|$725,480

2006

|Palone Ranger

|Ronald Pierce

|Gregory Peck

|Four Friends & Perretti Racing Stables LLC

|1:54 3/5

|$546,830

2005

|Gryffindor

|David Miller

|Brendan Johnson

|Jim Winske, Bill Donovan, Milt Leeman

|1:52 0/0

|$218,475

2004

|Metropolitan

|John Campbell

|Christopher J. Ryder

|Norman &Gerald Smiley

|1:52 2/5

|$340,950

2003

|No Pan Intended

|David Miller

|Ivan Sugg

|Peter Pan Stables Inc. (Robert Glazer)

|1:52 4/5

|$252,945

2002

|Allamerican Ingot

|David Miller

|Robert McIntosh

|Robert Waxman

|1:50 3/5

|$260,610

2001

|Bagel Beach Boy

|Luc Ouellette

|Jim Campbell

|Lloyd F. Arnold

|1:52 1/5

|$254,385

2000

|Ain't No Stoppin' Him

|John Campbell

|Joe Holloway

|John & Patricia Celli

|1:52 3/5

|$323,421

1999

|Blissfull Hall

|Ronald Pierce

|Benjamin Wallace

|Daniel Plouffe

|1:51 1/5

|$347,760

1998

|Fit For Life

|John Campbell

|Brett Pelling

|Brittany Farms & Val D'Or Farms

|1:52 2/5

|$387,380

1997

|Western Dreamer

|Michel Lachance

|Nathaniel C. Varty

|Matthew, Patrick & Daniel Daly

|1:51 3/5

|$331,300

1996

|Go For Grins

|Dave Palone

|Christopher J. Ryder

|1:52 2/5

|$333,080

1995

|David's Pass

|John Campbell

|Brett Pelling

|RJS Stable

|1:52 4/5

|$328,825

1994

|Cam's Card Shark

|John Campbell

|William G. Robinson

|Jeffrey S. Snyder

|1:51 0/0

|$342,595

1993

|Riyadh

|Jim Morrill Jr.

|William G. Robinson

|R. Peter Heffering

|1:52 2/5

|$328,305

1992

|Western Hanover

|William Fahy

|Gene Riegle

|George Segal

|1:53 1/5

|$366,750

1991

|Die Laughing

|Richard Silverman

|Roger Goldstein

|Alnoff Stable & Val D'Or Farms

|1:51 1/5

|$475,000

1990

|Jake And Elwood

|John Campbell

|Ken Seeber

|Louis P. Guida

|1:52 3/5

|$444,371

1989

|Sandman Hanover

|Bill O'Donnell

|Ken Seeber

|LPG Standardbred & MRF Racing Stable

|1:53 2/5

|$451,069

1988

|Matt's Scooter

|Michel Lachance

|Harry J. Poulton

|Gordon & Illa Rumpel, Charles Juravinski

|1:56 3/5

|$461,310

1987

|Redskin

|John Campbell

|Jerry Smith

|1:58 0/0

|$447,310

1986

|Amity Chef

|John Campbell

|Blair Burgess

|Cantario Farms, Blair Burgess, Bland & Baugh

|1:55 4/5

|$363,762

1985

|Pershing Square

|Bill O'Donnell

|Billy Haughton

|Louis P. Guida

|1:55 2/5

|$483,560

1984

|Troublemaker

|Bill O'Donnell

|Gene Riegle

|George Segal

|1:57 3/5

|$379,343

1983

|Ralph Hanover

|Ron Waples

|Stewart Firlotte

|Ron Waples, Pointsetta Stables, Grants Direct Stables

|1:57 0/0

|$379,004

1982

|Cam Fella

|Pat Crowe

|Norman Clements & Norman Faulkner

|1:57 3/5

|$259,578

1981

|Seahawk Hanover

|Ben Webster

|Samuel Lewis

|Dave Harris, Samuel Lewis, et al.

|1:58 0/0

|$224,955

1980

|Niatross

|Clint Galbraith

|Niatross Syndicate

|1:59 3/5

|$173,522

1979

|Hot Hitter

|Henri Filion

|Louis Meittinis

|Solomon Katz, S A J & Alterman Stables

|1:59 4/5

|$180,225

1978

|Abercrombie

|Glen Garnsey

|L. Keith Bulen & Shirley A. Mitchell

|1:58 2/5

|$167,682

1977

|Governor Skipper

|John Chapman

|H. "Bucky" Norris

|Ivanhoe Stable

|1:59 1/5

|$159,155

1976

|Windshield Wiper

|Billy Haughton

|Irving G. Liverman

|2:00 0/0

|$161,920

1975

|Bret's Champ

|Billy Haughton

|Edward W. Andrews

|1:59 1/5

|$154,222

1974

|Armbro Omaha

|Billy Haughton

|J. Elgin Armstrong

|1:59 3/5

|$151,043

1973

|Valiant Bret

|Lucien Fontaine

|Harry Tudor

|P.G. & Jere Gray

|2:00 3/5

|$122,732

1972

|Silent Majority

|Billy Haughton

|Irving G. Liverman & Aline White

|2:01 4/5

|$154,733

1971

|Albatross

|Stanley Dancer

|Amicable Stable

|2:00 2/5

|$114,977

1970

|Most Happy Fella

|Stanley Dancer

|Egyptian Acres Stable

|2:02 3/5

|$123,450

1969

|Bye Bye Sam

|Stanley Dancer

|Jane Falley Galt

|2:02 3/5

|$182,976

1968

|Rum Customer

|Billy Haughton

|Louis & Connie Manucuso & Kennilworth Farm

|2:01 4/5

|$189,018

1967

|Romulus Hanover

|Billy Haughton

|Farmstead Acres Farm

|1:59 1/5

|$178,064

1966

|Romeo Hanover

|George Sholty

|Jerry Silverman

|Lucky Star Stables & Morton Finder

|2:01 0/0

|$169,885

1965

|Bret Hanover

|Frank Ervin

|Richard Downing

|2:02 0/0

|$151,252

1964

|Race Time

|Ralph N. Baldwin

|Castleton Farm

|2:01 2/5

|$150,960

1963

|Overtrick

|John F. Patterson Sr.

|Allwood Stable (Leonard & Helen Buck)

|2:00 4/5

|$146,324

1962

|Thor Hanover

|John F. Simpson Sr.

|J. F. Simpson Sr., T. W. Murphy, Lawrence B. & C. N. Shepherd

|2:01 1/5

|$169,430

1961

|Adios Don

|Robert Camper

|Harold Large

|2:02 4/5

|$145,377

1960

|Countess Adios

|Delvin Miller

|J. Elgin & Ted Armstrong & Hugh A. Grant Sr.

|2:02 1/5

|$142,786

1959

|Adios Butler

|Clint Hodgins

|Paige West & Angelo Pellillo

|2:00 1/5

|$110,994

1958

|O'Brien Hanover

|James W. Jordan

|Delvin Miller

|Hugh A. Grant Sr.

|2:01 4/5

|$108,565

1957

|Meadow Lands

|Delvin Miller

|Hugh A. Grant Sr. & Del Miller

|2:04 4/5

|$100,084

1956

|Belle Action

|Billy Haughton

|2:01 2/5

|$71,500

References

Category:Yonkers Raceway

Category:Harness races in the United States

Category:Harness races for three-year-old pacers

Category:Messenger Stakes winners

Category:Horse races in New York (state)

Category:United States Triple Crown of Harness Racing

Category:Sports in Yonkers, New York

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1956

Category:1956 establishments in New York (state)