| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhetorical | I Ortiz, Jr. | W Walden | 5/2 |
| 2 | Mi Bago | L Saez | M E Casse | 12/1 |
| 3 | Zulu Kingdom | F Prat | C C Brown | 7/2 |
| 4 | Classic Q | J R Velazquez | M E Casse | 8/1 |
| 5 | Deterministic | K Carmouche | M Clement | 2/1 |
| 6 | Capitol Hill | J Alvarado | W I Mott | 10/1 |
| 7 | Lagynos | J L Ortiz | S M Asmussen | 5/1 |
Last Updated on 08/04/2026
The Fourstardave Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 1 mile on the turf for horses aged three and older, it is one of the most prestigious turf mile races in North America and a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier, with the winner receiving an automatic, fees-paid starting position in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland in October. The race was inaugurated in 1985 as the Daryl's Joy Stakes, renamed in 1995 to honor Fourstardave, the remarkable New York-bred gelding who won at least one race at Saratoga every year from 1987 to 1994 — earning him the nickname "The Sultan of Saratoga." Fourstardave is buried at Clare Court at Saratoga Race Course, one of only three horses to receive that honor. Classified Grade III in 1988, upgraded to Grade II in 2000, and elevated to Grade I in 2016, Fourstardave has produced some of the greatest turf milers in American racing history. Five winners have gone on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile in the same year: Lure (1993), Da Hoss (1996), Wise Dan (2012, 2013), Tourist (2016), and World Approval (2017). Got Stormy holds the stakes record of 1:32.00 set in 2019. John Velazquez holds the jockey record with nine wins between 1992 and 2013, while Bill Mott holds the trainer record with six wins, including Casa Creed in 2022 and 2023.
The 2026 Fourstardave Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, August 8 at Saratoga Race Course. Contested at 1 mile on the turf with a purse of $750,000, the race draws the top older turf milers in North America and internationally, targeting the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland in October.
Deterministic gave trainer Miguel Clement and jockey Kendrick Carmouche a 2025 victory in 1:33.87 for St. Elias Stable and partners, completing a remarkable Grade I double at the Spa after winning the Manhattan Stakes earlier in the summer — the first Grade I winner for Clement after taking over the stable following his father Christophe Clement's passing. Carl Spackler (IRE) gave trainer Chad Brown and jockey Tyler Gaffalione the 2024 title, the Grade III Kelso and Fourstardave double-winner cementing his status as the top older turf miler in America. Casa Creed gave trainer Bill Mott a record-setting consecutive run in 2022 and 2023, winning both editions under Luis Saez in an identical time of 1:34.20 — the only horse in race history to clock the exact same time in back-to-back victories. Got Stormy gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Tyler Gaffalione the 2021 title in 1:33.00, the beloved mare adding a second Fourstardave to her remarkable resume following her record-setting 1:32.00 in 2019.
The Fourstardave Stakes is one of the most storied Grade I events in American turf racing and the key summer road to the Breeders' Cup Mile each August at Saratoga.
