What is the Acorn Stakes?
The Acorn Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for 3-year-old fillies, it is the first leg of the American Triple Tiara, followed by the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Alabama Stakes. One of the oldest and most prestigious filly races in North America, the Acorn was inaugurated in 1931 and has produced a roll of honor that includes Hall of Famers Gallorette, Ruffian, Mom's Command, Personal Ensign, and Serena's Song. A Grade I event since its inception, the Acorn carries a purse of $500,000 and consistently attracts the top sophomore fillies in the country off the Kentucky Oaks trail. The race has been won by some of the most celebrated fillies in American racing history, including Gamine, who set the stakes record of 1:32.55 at one mile in 2020, and multiple champions Monomoy Girl and Abel Tasman.
When is the Acorn Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Acorn Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at Saratoga Race Course as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Contested at 1⅛ miles on the dirt with a purse of $500,000, the race is one of the centerpiece events of the Festival and draws the top 3-year-old fillies in the country targeting the Triple Tiara championship series.
Acorn Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Acorn Stakes has produced some of the most celebrated moments in American distaff racing history. La Cara gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Dylan Davis a 2025 victory in 1:49.20 for Tracy Farmer, becoming the first Acorn winner trained in Canada. Thorpedo Anna gave trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. a barnstorming 2024 win in 1:49.02, part of a remarkable unbeaten distaff campaign that year. Godolphin's Pretty Mischievous gave trainer Brendan Walsh a 2023 score in 1:43.33 under Tyler Gaffalione at the then-new 1 1/16-mile distance. Matareya gave Brad Cox and Godolphin a 2022 win at one mile in 1:35.77 under Flavien Prat. Search Results gave trainer Chad Brown and jockey Javier Castellano a 2021 victory in 1:35.50, launching a campaign that would later include the Grade II Ruffian Stakes at Aqueduct.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | La Cara | Dylan Davis | 1:49.20* |
| 2024 | Thorpedo Anna | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 1:49.02* |
| 2023 | Pretty Mischievous | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:43.33** |
| 2022 | Matareya | Flavien Prat | 1:35.77*** |
| 2021 | Search Results | Javier Castellano | 1:35.50*** |
* Run at 1⅛ miles at Saratoga. ** Run at 1 1/16 miles at Belmont Park. *** Run at 1 mile at Belmont Park.
The Acorn Stakes is one of the most prestigious Grade I events in American distaff racing and the first jewel of the Triple Tiara each June.
