The Skip Away Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Listed event open to horses age four and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of miles (9-1/2 furlongs). The race is a Listed event with a current purse of $100,000.
Inaugurated as the Broward Handicap, in 2001 Gulfstream Park changed the name to the Skip Away Handicap to honor 1998 American Horse of the Year, Skip Away.
In 2000, the South African-bred Horse Chestnut, 1999 Horse of the Year in his native country, made his American debut in this race, winning going away by five and one-half lengths. Other past winners of note include U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Swaps who won in 1956 and set a new world record for 1 mile, 70 yards with time of 1:39 3/5.
Since its inception, the race has been run at various distances: miles : 1987, 1990, 1993–2004 miles : 1991-1992, 2005–2008, 2016-2017 miles : 2009-2015, 2019
Records Speed record: 1:48.10 - Chief Honcho (at current distance of miles) (1991) 1:53.92 - Fort Larned (at former distance of miles) (2012) (This is also the track record, eclipsing the former track record set by Eddington in 2005 of 1:54.74.)
Most wins: 3 - Sir Bear (1998, 1999, 2002)
Winners since 1987 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2017Fear The Cowboy5Jesus M. RiosEfren Loza, Jr.Kathleen Amaya1:51.812016Valid6Nik JuarezMarcus J. VitaliCrossed Sabres Farm1:48.422015Commissioner4Javier CastellanoTodd PletcherWinStar Farm1:58.602014Micromanage4Javier CastellanoTodd PletcherRepole Stable1:55.362013Cigar Street4John VelazquezWilliam I. MottJ & L Ballis1:56.842012Fort Larned4Julien LeparouxIan WilkesJanis Whitham1:53.922011S. S. Stone5Julien LeparouxNick ZitoRobert V. LaPenta1:55.732010Arson Squad7Paco LopezRichard E. Dutrow, Jr.Jay Em Ess Stable1:55.652009Finallymadeit5Eduardo NúñezJavier NegreteRolbea Stables1:56.762008Gottcha Gold5Chuck C. LopezEdward Plesa, Jr.Centaur Farms1:51.312007A. P. Arrow5Edgar PradoTodd A. PletcherAllen E. Paulson Trust1:49.702006Bandini4John VelazquezTodd A. PletcherTabor & Smith1:49.112005Eurosilver4Javier CastellanoCarl NafzgerBuckram Oak Farm1:49.292004Newfoundland4John VelazquezTodd A. PletcherSumaya Us Stables1:43.262003Best of the Rest8Eibar CoaEdward Plesa, Jr.Bea Oxenberg1:42.722002Sir Bear9Edgar PradoRalph ZiadieBarbara Smollin1:43.982001American Halo5Robbie DavisAngel MedinaJose Paparoni1:42.312000Horse Chestnut5Mike E. SmithMichael de KockHarry & Bridget Oppenheimer1:42.781999Sir Bear6Jerry D. BaileyRalph ZiadieBarbara Smollin1:43.661998Sir Bear5Enrique JuradoRalph ZiadieBarbara Smollin1:43.271997Crafty Friend4Mike E. SmithMark A. HennigKen Karlan1:42.271996Halo's Image5Pat DayHappy AlterAlter & Appleton1:42.711995Fight For Love5Jerry D. BaileyBert SonnierIrving & Marjorie Cowan1:43.981994Devil His Due5Mike E. SmithH. Allen JerkensLion Crest Stable1:43.171993Technology4Jerry D. BaileySonny HineS. Savin & Classic Partners1:42.471992Honest Ensign4Jean CruguetGuillame SoyerClarence Hill, Jr.1:49.411991Chief Honcho4Mike E. SmithWilliam I. MottBertram R. Firestone1:48.101990Primal5Earlie FiresJames E. BrackenTartan Stable1:43.40 1989 No Race - No Race No Race No Race 0:00.00 1988 No Race - No Race No Race No Race 0:00.001987Big Blowup3Chuck BaltazarJ. David Braddynot found1:44.40
References The 2009 Skip Away Handicap at the NTRA