Bertram F. Bongard Stakes


The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes is a listed stakes race for Thoroughbred two-year-olds run in the fall at Belmont Park, New York.
At a distance of 7 furlongs, it will be in its 39th running in 2016. The Bongard is a major prep race for up-and-coming young horses and offers a purse of $150,000. Though not restricted to New York-bred horses, this is not an open race: it is considered an event on the New York-bred schedule.
This race was run at a mile and an eighth before 1983 and also from 1984 to 1988. It was run at seven furlongs in 1983, and from 1996 to the present. It was set at a mile and a sixteenth from 1989 to 1993 and at six furlongs in 1994 and 1995. Run for three-year-olds and older before 1984, it is now run for two-year-olds only.
Named for Bertram F. Bongard, who was a founding director of the Eastern New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, initially run for three-year-olds and older until 1984, but it is now strictly for two-year-olds. Before 1984, it was called the Bertram F. Bongard Handicap.
Winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Funny Cide, won this race in 2003.

Past winners

  • 2024 – Sacrosanct
  • 2016 – Mirai
  • 2015 – Sudden Surprise
  • 2014 – Saratoga Heater
  • 2013 – Wired Bryan
  • 2012 – Weekend Hideaway
  • 2011 – RACE NOT RUN?
  • 2010 – RACE NOT RUN
  • 2009 – Make Note
  • 2008 – Trinity Magic
  • 2007 – Big Truck
  • 2006 – I'm A Numbers Guy
  • 2005 – Sharp Humor
  • 2004 – Up Like Thunder
  • 2003 – Flagshipenterprise
  • 2002 – Funny Cide
  • 2001White Ibis
  • 2000 – Le Grande Danseur
  • 1999 – Image Maker
  • 1998 – David
  • 1997 – Ruby Hill
  • 1996 – Patent Pending
  • 1995 – Out To Win
  • 1994 – Cyrano
  • 1993 – Bit of Puddin
  • 1992 – Over the Brink
  • 1991 – Phantom Finn
  • 1990 – Well Well Well
  • 1989 – Applebred
  • 1988 – Gold Oak
  • 1987 – Notebook
  • 1986 – Sweet Envoy
  • 1985Wild Wood
  • 1984 – Hot Debate
  • 1983 – Master Digby
  • 1982 – Fearless Leader
  • 1981 – Accipiter's Hope
  • 1980 – Fio Rito
  • 1979 – International
  • 1978 – Judging Man