What is the Bowling Green Stakes?
The Bowling Green Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 1⅜ miles on the inner turf course for horses aged four and older, it is one of the longest and most historic turf marathons in American racing, tracing its roots to 1958 at Belmont Park. The race is named for the area on the lower tip of Manhattan Island known as Bowling Green. With Approval set the all-time world record of 2:10.20 for the distance in 1990, a mark that still stands today. Moved to Saratoga in 2015, the race has been won by some of the most accomplished turf marathoners in recent memory, including four-time Grade I winner Channel Maker, who captured the race twice, and British-bred Silver Knott, who set the current Saratoga track record in 2024.
When is the Bowling Green Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Bowling Green Stakes is scheduled for July at Saratoga Race Course. Contested at 1⅜ miles on the inner turf course with a purse of $200,000, the race draws the top long-distance turf horses in the country targeting the summer and fall championship circuit.
Bowling Green Stakes History & Notable Winners
Far Bridge gave trainer Miguel Clement a 2025 victory, rolling to a three-length win over El Rezeen on July 12. Silver Knott set the current Saratoga track record of 2:11.40 in 2024 under Flavien Prat for trainer Charlie Appleby. Channel Maker, the 2020 champion male turf horse, gave trainer Bill Mott and jockey Manny Franco his second Bowling Green title in 2023, winning in 2:15.21 at age nine. Rockemperor (IRE) gave trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat a 2022 win in 2:15.81, edging Arklow by a half length. Cross Border won back-to-back editions in 2020 and 2021 for trainer Christophe Clement and the powerful Three Diamonds Farm.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Far Bridge | Joe Rosario | 2:15.38 |
| 2024 | Silver Knott (GB) | Flavien Prat | 2:11.40* |
| 2023 | Channel Maker | Manny Franco | 2:15.21 |
| 2022 | Rockemperor (IRE) | Flavien Prat | 2:15.81 |
| 2021 | Cross Border | Luis Saez | 2:16.36 |
* Saratoga track record at 1⅜ miles.
The Bowling Green Stakes is one of the most historic turf marathons in American racing and a true test of stamina each July at Saratoga.
