The Saratoga Special Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Contested at 6 furlongs on the dirt exclusively for 2-year-olds, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious juvenile races in American racing, inaugurated in 1901 as a winner-take-all event. The Saratoga Special has produced some of the sport's most celebrated two-year-olds, with only four horses in history sweeping the Saratoga Special, Sanford Stakes, and Hopeful Stakes in the same season — Regret (1914), Campfire (1916), Dehere (1993), and City Zip (2000). Legendary horses to have won the Special include Native Dancer (1952), General Assembly (1978), Swale (1983), Summer Squall (1989), and Jackie's Warrior (2020). James G. Rowe Sr. holds the all-time trainer record with six wins, while Eddie Arcaro leads all jockeys with seven victories. The 6-furlong speed record of 1:09 flat was set by General Assembly in 1978. The race distance settled at its current 6 furlongs in 2020 after spending more than a decade at 6½ furlongs.
The 2026 Saratoga Special Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, August 1 at Saratoga Race Course. Contested at 6 furlongs on the dirt with a purse of $200,000, the race is one of the most prestigious 2-year-old sprint tests in the country and a key early indicator of the juvenile division's top talent.
Ewing gave trainer Mark Casse and jockey Jose Ortiz a 2025 victory in 1:18.03 for D.J. Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Kenneth Freirich. Showcase gave trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. a 2024 win in 1:16.40 for Harrell Ventures, the colt recording the fastest Saratoga Special in the current six-furlong format. Rhyme Schemes gave trainer Norm Casse and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. a 2023 score in 1:17.12 for Pura Vida Investments. Damon's Mound gave trainer Michelle Lovell and jockey Gabriel Saez a 2022 win in 1:17.94 for Cliff and Michelle Love. High Oak gave trainer William Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado a 2021 victory in 1:16.53 for LRE Racing and JEH Racing Stable.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ewing | Jose L. Ortiz | 1:18.03 |
| 2024 | Showcase | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 1:16.40 |
| 2023 | Rhyme Schemes | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 1:17.12 |
| 2022 | Damon's Mound | Gabriel Saez | 1:17.94 |
| 2021 | High Oak | Junior Alvarado | 1:16.53 |
The Saratoga Special Stakes is one of the oldest and most celebrated juvenile races in American racing and a traditional highlight of the Saratoga summer meet each August.
