The Mac Diarmida Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four and older, contested over 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Named in honor of the Florida-bred champion Mac Diarmida, the race is part of Gulfstream’s late-February and early spring stakes schedule and regularly attracts quality older grass trotters.
The 2026 Mac Diarmida Stakes is scheduled for February 28 during Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet. The race carries a purse of $200,000.
In the 2025 running, Capture the Flag scored an upset victory in the Mac Diarmida Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on the turf, giving trainer Todd A. Pletcher and jockey John R. Velazquez a major early-season turf win. Past editions have been won by established grass specialists who frequently compete at longer distances throughout the year, making this race a key betting target for turf form analysts.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Capture the Flag | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:12.90 |
| 2024 | Starting Over | Edgard J. Zayas | Michael J. Maker | 2:12.29 |
| 2023 | Value Engineering | Jose L. Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | 2:14.20 |
| 2022 | Temple | Jose L. Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | 2:15.30 |
| 2021 | Phantom Currency | Paco Lopez | Brian A. Lynch | 2:13.84 |
| 2020 | Zulu Alpha | Tyler Gaffalione | Michael J. Maker | 2:11.47 |
