Go For Wand Handicap

The Go For Wand Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race established in 1954 for fillies and mares age three and up. Historically raced at the end of July/early August, it is a Grade II race (Grade I before 2010) on dirt at a distance of one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs).

Inaugurated in 1954 at Belmont Park as the Maskette Stakes in honor of the Hall of Fame filly, Maskette, 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.

The Maskette took place at Aqueduct Racetrack in 1959, 1960, and from 1962 to 1968. Since 1994, the Go For Wand has been hosted by Saratoga Race Course. After not being raced in 2010, the Go For Wand Handicap returned to Aqueduct in 2011. The distance reverted back 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.

Aqueduct Racetrack Graded Stakes Races

Stakes Race Grade Purse
Discovery Handicap III $100,000
Fall Highweight Handicap III $100,000
Go For Wand Handicap II $150,000
Demoiselle Stakes II $200,000
Remsen Stakes II $200,000
Gazelle Stakes I $250,000
Cigar Mile Handicap I $250,000