What is the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap?
The Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 6 furlongs on the dirt for horses aged three and older, it is one of the most prestigious sprint handicaps in American racing and a key summer benchmark for older dirt sprinters targeting the Breeders' Cup Sprint. The race was inaugurated in 1985 as the A Phenomenon Stakes, named for the Saratoga champion who suffered a career-ending injury in the 1984 Forego Handicap. In 2000 the race was renamed to honor Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr., one of the most influential figures in American Thoroughbred racing history, who died in 1999. Vanderbilt owned and campaigned champions Native Dancer, Next Move, and Bed O' Roses, arranged the legendary 1938 match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral at Pimlico, and served as chairman of the New York Racing Association from 1971 to 1975. The race was upgraded to Grade I in 2010 and downgraded to Grade II in 2025. The track record of 1:07.92 was set by Imperial Hint in 2019. Steve Asmussen holds the trainer record with four wins, and Javier Castellano leads all jockeys with four victories including Imperial Hint in 2018 and 2019.
When is the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap in 2026?
The 2026 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap is scheduled for Saturday, July 25 at Saratoga Race Course on the same card as the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. Contested at 6 furlongs on the dirt with a purse of $400,000, the race draws the top older dirt sprinters in the country targeting the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland in October.
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap History & Notable Winners
The Alfred G. Vanderbilt has been a showcase for the best older dirt sprinters in America for four decades. Book'em Danno gave trainer Derek Ryan and jockey Paco Lopez a 2025 victory in 1:08.98 for Atlantic Six Racing, the New Jersey-bred millionaire returning to Saratoga where he had previously won the True North Stakes. Nakatomi gave trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Tyler Gaffalione a 2024 score in 1:09.97 for Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitriani Hay. Elite Power gave trainer Bill Mott and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. a dominant 2023 win in 1:09.22 for Juddmonte, the champion sprinter doing exactly what was expected against a quality field. Jackie's Warrior gave trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Joel Rosario a 2022 victory in 1:09.74 for J. Kirk and Judy Robison, the four-year-old son of Maclean's Music adding another graded win to his impressive resume. Lexitonian gave trainer Jack Sisterson and jockey Jose Lezcano a 2021 score in 1:09.38 for Calumet Farm, the veteran eight-year-old proving age is just a number on the Saratoga dirt.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Book'em Danno | Paco Lopez | 1:08.98 |
| 2024 | Nakatomi | Tyler Gaffalione | 1:09.97 |
| 2023 | Elite Power | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 1:09.22 |
| 2022 | Jackie's Warrior | Joel Rosario | 1:09.74 |
| 2021 | Lexitonian | Jose Lezcano | 1:09.38 |
The Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap is one of the most prestigious sprint handicaps in American racing and a key proving ground for top older dirt sprinters each July at Saratoga.
