The Go For Wand Stakes is an American

Thoroughbred horse race Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in ...

established in 1954 for fillies and mares age three and up. Raced in the fall, it is a Grade III race (Grade I before 2010) on dirt at a distance of one mile. Inaugurated in 1954 at

Belmont Park Belmont Park is a thoroughbred racing, thoroughbred horse racetrack in Elmont, New York, just east of New York City limits best known for hosting the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United Stat ...

as the Maskette Stakes in honor of the

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

filly,

Maskette Maskette (1906–1930) was an American Thoroughbred National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame horse racing, racehorse who never lost a race against other fillies. Background Bred by James R. Keene at his Castleton Lyons, Castl ...

, it was renamed in 1992 for its ill-fated 1990 winner and Hall of Fame inductee, Go For Wand who is buried in the infield at

Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, Saratoga Springs, New York (state), New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting v ...

. The Maskette took place at

Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and casino in the South Ozone Park, Queens, South Ozone Park and Jamaica, Queens, Jamaica neighborhoods of Queens, New York City, United States. Aqueduct is the only racetrack within ...

in 1959, 1960, and from 1962 to 1968. From 1994–2009, the Go For Wand was hosted at the Saratoga Race Course. After not being raced in 2010, the Go For Wand Handicap returned to Aqueduct on November 25, 2011. The distance reverted to the mile distance the race was contested at prior to its move to Saratoga Race Course. Since inception, the race has been contested at various distances: * 1 mile (8 furlongs) : 1954–1981, 1983–1993, 2011- * 7 furlongs : 1982 * miles (9 furlongs) : 1994–2009 The race was run in two divisions in 1976. This race was downgraded to a Grade III for its 2014 running.

Records

Speed record: *Lady's Secret – 1:33.60 (1986) (at current 8 furlong distance) Most wins: * 2 – Tempted (1958, 1960) * 2 – Tosmah (1964, 1965) * 2 – Lady's Secret (1985, 1986) * 2 – Ginger Punch (2007, 2008) Most wins by a

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

: * 6 – Ángel Cordero Jr. (1967, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1987, 1991) Most wins by a trainer: * 6 – C. R. McGaughey III (1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001) Most wins by an owner: * 5 – Ogden Phipps (1972, 1979, 1988, 1992, 1995)

Winners

† In 1974, Desert Vixen finished first, but was later disqualified.

References

{{reflist Mile category horse races for fillies and mares Graded stakes races in the United States Grade 3 stakes races in the United States Horse races in New York (state) Recurring sporting events established in 1954 Aqueduct Racetrack 1954 establishments in New York (state)