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The Runhappy Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four years old or older at a distance of six furlongs on the dirt run annually in early May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently offers a purse of $175,000.

History

The event was inaugurated on 14 May 2014 as the Diablo Stakes and was won by the favorite Sensational Slam who defeated four other runners over 6 furlongs (Approx. 1.2km) in a time of 1:09.07. The event was marred by the disqualification of the second place finisher Green Grotto who was placed third and Royal Currier installed in second for interference 1⁄8 mile from the finishing post. The event was named after the versatile sprinter Diablo who won the 1991 Grade II True North Handicap and the 1992 Grade III Finger Lakes Budweiser Breeders' Cup.

In 2018 the event was renamed to the Runhappy Stakes in honor of the 2015 US Champion Sprint Horse Runhappy.

The event was upgraded to Grade III in 2020 but was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Belmont Park ran a shortened meeting and the event was cancelled in favor of the rescheduled Carter Handicap being moved from Aqueduct Racetrack.

In 2024 the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.

Records

Speed record:

• 6 furlongs – 1:08.12 Firenze Fire (2019)

Margins:

• 4+3⁄4 lengths – Firenze Fire (2019)

Most wins:

• 2 – Stallwalkin' Dude (2015, 2017)
• 2 – Firenze Fire (2019, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 2 – Irad Ortiz Jr. (2019, 2021)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 2 – David Jacobson (2015, 2017)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 – David Jacobson (2015, 2017)
• 2 – Mr. Amore Stable (2019, 2021)

Winners

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

1. ^ "2014 Diablo Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
2. "Sensational Slam wins Belmont's Diablo Stakes". ESPN. Associated Press. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
3. "Diablo Results History". Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
4. "DIABLO STAKES - BELMONT PARK, NY". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
5. Schweigardt, Andrew (2019). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2020". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
6. Ehalt, Bob (19 May 2020). "Belmont Park to Open for Racing June 3". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
7. "NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga". nyra.com. New York Racing Association. January 24, 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
8. "2024 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
9. "2023 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
10. "2022 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
11. "2021 Runhappy Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)". Equibase. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
12. "2019 Runhappy Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
13. "2018 Runhappy Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
14. "2017 Diablo Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
15. "2016 Diablo Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
16. "2015 Diablo Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

• Graded stakes races in the United States
• Grade 3 stakes races in the United States
• Recurring sporting events established in 2014
• Horse races in New York (state)
• 2014 establishments in New York (state)
• Belmont Park
• Open sprint category horse races