What is the Caress Stakes?
The Caress 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 fillies and mares aged four and older, it is one of the premier distaff turf sprints on the Saratoga summer calendar. Inaugurated in 2008 at Belmont Park over seven furlongs, the race is named in honor of Caress, the multiple graded stakes-winning mare trained by Hall of Famer H. Allen Jerkens, who won the Grade III Poker Stakes against male horses and the Grade III Beaugay Handicap at Aqueduct. The distance was shortened to six furlongs in 2009 and settled at its current 5½ furlongs in 2012. The race was upgraded to Grade III status in 2021 and has become a key benchmark for top distaff turf sprinters each July.
When is the Caress Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Caress Stakes is scheduled for July at Saratoga Race Course. Contested at 5½ furlongs on the turf with a purse of $200,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares targeting the summer distaff turf sprint championship circuit.
Caress Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Caress Stakes has produced a string of top distaff turf sprinters in recent years. Future Is Now gave trainer Michael Trombetta and jockey Paco Lopez a 2025 victory in 1:01.08 for the Estate of R. Larry Johnson. Irad Ortiz Jr. has dominated the modern era of the Caress, winning three of the last four editions. Dontlookbackatall gave Ortiz and trainer Christophe Clement a 2024 win in 1:01.39 for the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, Scarlet Oak Racing, and Titletown Racing Stables. Roses for Debra gave Ortiz and Clement back-to-back titles in 2023, winning in 1:02.39 for John O'Meara. Robin Sparkles gave trainer Bruce Brown and jockey Javier Castellano a 2022 score in 1:01.98 for Michael Schrader. Caravel gave Ortiz a 2021 victory in 1:02.38 for trainers Bobby Flay and Elizabeth Merryman.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Future Is Now | Paco Lopez | Michael Trombetta | 1:01.08 |
| 2024 | Dontlookbackatall | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Christophe Clement | 1:01.39 |
| 2023 | Roses for Debra | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Christophe Clement | 1:02.39 |
| 2022 | Robin Sparkles | Javier Castellano | Bruce R. Brown | 1:01.98 |
| 2021 | Caravel | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Elizabeth M. Merryman | 1:02.38 |
The Caress Stakes is one of the premier distaff turf sprints on the Saratoga summer calendar and a key benchmark for top fillies and mares each July.
