What is the Quick Call Stakes?
The Quick Call Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 5½ furlongs on the turf for 3-year-olds, it is one of the most competitive early-summer turf sprint tests for sophomore horses in the Northeast and a key benchmark for the division targeting the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Inaugurated in September 2008 as a Listed event, the race was upgraded to Grade III in 2019. It is named in honor of Quick Call, the multiple graded stakes-winning gelding who won more than half of his 16 career victories at Saratoga Race Course. Quick Call was a dual winner of the Grade II Forego Handicap at Saratoga, lived to the age of 35, and is buried at Clare Court in Saratoga Springs. Sponsored by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation since 2022, the Quick Call Stakes has a purse of $225,000 in 2026 and has attracted several future stars, including Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal, who won the 2021 edition. Irad Ortiz Jr. leads all jockeys with four wins including Governor Sam in 2025 and Golden Pal in 2021. The stakes record of 1:00.80 was set by Big Invasion in 2022.
When is the Quick Call Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Quick Call Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at Saratoga Race Course. Contested at 5½ furlongs on the turf with a purse of $225,000, the race draws the top 3-year-old turf sprinters in the country targeting the summer and fall championship circuit.
Quick Call Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Quick Call Stakes has a strong record of identifying top turf sprint talent at an early age. Governor Sam gave trainer George Weaver and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. a 2025 victory in 1:02.68 for Bergman Family Stable and Swinbank Stable, the colt rallying from midpack to win going away. Godolphin's Star of Mystery (GB) gave trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey Flavien Prat a 2024 win in a sharp 1:00.97, the filly becoming the second Quick Call winner to break 1:01 and the first female winner since 2009. Big Invasion set the stakes record of 1:00.80 in 2022 under Joel Rosario for trainer Christophe Clement and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, a time that remains the fastest in the race's history. Golden Pal gave trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Ortiz a 2021 victory in 1:02.99 for the powerful ownership of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor, launching a campaign that would see the colt become North America's champion turf sprinter the following year.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Governor Sam | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 1:02.68 |
| 2024 | Star of Mystery (GB) | Flavien Prat | 1:00.97 |
| 2023 | Uncashed | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 1:03.44* |
| 2022 | Big Invasion | Joel Rosario | 1:00.80** |
| 2021 | Golden Pal | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 1:02.99 |
* Run on dirt due to inclement weather. ** Stakes record.
The Quick Call Stakes is one of the premier 3-year-old turf sprint events in the Northeast and a key early-season proving ground for future Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contenders each July.
