Cradle Stakes
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2022) |
| Location | Belterra Park Cincinnati, Ohio United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1977 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles (8.5 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds |
| Purse | $125,000 |
The Cradle Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds held at Belterra Park (formerly River Downs) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Open to two-year-olds, it is run over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the turf.[1]
It was originally created as a dirt race for juveniles in 1977. Miller Genuine Draft sponsored the race from the beginning and, until 2009, it was the longest continuously sponsored Thoroughbred race in the United States.[citation needed] During the 1980s, the Cradle Stakes grew to become the richest race for 2-year-olds in Ohio. One notable winner in that decade was Spend a Buck, who won the 1984 Cradle before going on to win the Kentucky Derby and Horse of the Year honors in 1985.[1]
The Cradle Stakes was moved to the turf in 2007 to serve as a prep for the new Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf race.[citation needed] River Downs management put the Cradle, and its filly counterpart the Bassinet, on hiatus after 2010 as part of a new contract with horsemen in an effort to maintain daily purses. In July 2022, Belterra management announced that both races would return in September of that year.[1] Both races were cancelled again in August 2022.
Winners[edit]
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Time |
Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Tanzana | Leandro Goncalves | Garry Simms | 1:44.60 | |
| 2009‡ | Gleam of Hope | Corey Lanerie | Anthony Reinstedler | 1:46.80 | |
| 2008 | Night Action | Victor Lebron | Michael Maker | 1:42.40 | |
| 2007 | Old Man Buck | Perry Ouzts | Kenneth McPeek | 1:42.40 | |
| 2006 | Passport | Corey Lanerie | Frank Brothers | 1:46.00 | |
| 2005 | Laity | Corey Lanerie | Frank Brothers | 1:43.60 | |
| 2004 | Bellamy Road | Abel Castellano Jr. | Michael Dickinson | 1:45.00 | III |
| 2003 | Tiger Hunt | Larry Melancon | W. Elliott Walden | 1:49.00 | |
| 2002 | Lone Star Sky | Mark Guidry | Thomas Amoss | 1:46.80 | |
| 2001 | Harlan's Holiday | Anthony D'Amico | Kenneth McPeek | 1:46.40 | |
| 2000 | Mongoose | Robby Albarado | William Mott | 1:46.00 | |
| 1999 | Deputy Warlock | Fabio Arguello Jr. | Kenneth McPeek | 1:47.40 | |
| 1998 | Mountain Range | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | 1:45.80 | |
| 1997 | Cowboy Dan | Dean Kutz | Danny Hutt | 1:47.40 | |
| 1996 | Haint | Shane Sellers | Frank Brothers | 1:46.20 | |
| 1995 | Devil's Honor | Anthony Black | Cynthia Reese | 1:45.00 | |
| 1994 | Peaks and Valleys | Pat Day | James Day | 1:46.60 | |
| 1993 | Moving Van | Patricia Cooksey | Michael Downing | 1:48.60 | |
| 1992 | Crosswood | James Bruin | Maurice Cobb | 1:47.00 | III |
| 1991 | Wolf Brigade | Sebastian Madrid | James Morgan | 1:45.50 | III |
| 1990 | Wall Street Dancer | Sebastian Madrid | Jesus Suarez | ||
| 1989 | Table Limit | Herb McCauley | D. Wayne Lukas | ||
| 1988 | Bravoure | Michael McDowell | John E. Churchman, Jr. | ||
| 1987 | Cannon Dancer | Mike Manganello | Peter W. Salmen, Jr. | ||
| 1986 | Coaxing Chad | Steve Neff | Ronnie G. Warren | ||
| 1985 | Go For It Matt | Chris Antley | Ronnie G. Warren | ||
| 1984 | Spend a Buck | Charles Hussey | Cam Gambolati | ||
| 1983 | Coax Me Chad | Julio Espinoza | William E. Adams | ||
| 1982 | Spare Card | Glynn Louviere | Richard P. Hazelton | ||
| 1981 | Ashley's Miss | Eugene J. Sipus, Jr. | James B. McKathan, Jr. | ||
| 1980 | Gallant Lt. | Clifton Schwing | Fred Watkins | ||
| 1979 | Ray's Word | Antonio Costa | Sherman Ingram | ||
| 1978 | Noon Shadow | J. Harrison | Jacqueline Branham | ||
| 1977 | Bolero's Orphan | Nick Shuk | James H. Iselin |
- ‡ In 2009, the race was run off the turf.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c King, Byron (7 July 2022). "Belterra Park Revives Cradle, Bassinet Stakes". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 7 July 2022.