First run in 1917, the Coaching Club American Oaks is one of the premiere races for 3-year-old fillies in the nation. The 1 1/8-mile race was named after the Coaching Club of America, whose membership requirement included the ability to handle a coach and four horses with a single group of reins. The race has been run at three different New York tracks and is currently part of the Saratoga meet.
First run in 1917, the Coaching Club American Oaks is one of the premiere races for 3-year-old fillies in the nation. The 1 1/8-mile race was named after the Coaching Club of America, whose membership requirement included the ability to handle a coach and four horses with a single group of reins. The race has been run at three different New York tracks and is currently part of the Saratoga meet.
The Coaching Club American Oaks was originally run at conditions that emulated England's Epsom Oaks, running at 12 furlongs in 1942-43, 1971-89, and 1998-2003. It has also run at 10 and 11 furlongs and is currently run at 9 furlongs, which was also the distance of the first edition of the race.
Jorge Velasquez and Jerry Bailey are both tied at most wins by a jockey with four while trainer James Fitzsimmons is the all-time winning trainer with five and Calumet Farm has the most wins with six. Great fillies such as Ruffian, Top Flight, Davona Dale, and My Flag have won the race in the past.