Gezora and Cankoura Set to Renew Rivalry in a Deep New York Stakes

The pair meet again in Friday's prestigious turf test at Saratoga, with one of the strongest fields assembled so far this season for older fillies and mares

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).- Every season, the New York Stakes (G1) stands as one of the premier targets for turf mares in the United States. The 2026 renewal promises to be no exception.

With a purse of $750,000 and contested over 1 3/16 miles on Saratoga's historic Mellon Turf Course, Friday's feature has attracted an outstanding field led by two familiar names from the European scene: Gezora and Cankoura, who squared off in the Prix de Diane (G1) at Chantilly just one year ago.

Their shared history adds an extra layer of intrigue.

On that occasion, Gezora captured the French Oaks, while Cankoura finished third. Since then, their careers have followed different paths, though both have remained at the highest level.

Bred by Peter Brant and initially trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Gezora continued to compete in elite European company before shipping to the United States, where she capped her 2025 campaign with a memorable victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) at Del Mar.

Now in the care of Bill Mott after previously joining the barn of Chad Brown, the daughter of Almanzor is looking to reignite her momentum following a somewhat surprising runner-up finish in the Modesty Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs in her seasonal debut.

The longer distance and the benefit of that comeback race should work in her favor this time. She will also have the services of John Velazquez, who is seeking a record-setting fifth victory in the New York Stakes.

Across the gate stands a Cankoura who is likewise expected to improve significantly from her return effort.

Racing for the Aga Khan Studs, the daughter of Persian King returned from an extended layoff with a respectable fourth-place finish in the Prix Allez France (G3) at Saint-Cloud. Despite racing keenly through much of the contest, she finished strongly and posted the fastest closing fractions in the field.

"She finished fourth in her comeback and we weren't disappointed," explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. "She pulled hard early and took quite a while to settle. Even so, she recorded the best closing sectionals of the race.

"She's a very genuine mare, and we think a stronger pace will suit her."

Routh also expressed considerable admiration for her rival.

"Gezora is a wonderful mare. I have tremendous respect for her. She has a huge heart and an abundance of class."

Yet the New York Stakes is far from a two-horse affair.

The ever-dangerous Chad Brown, already the race's all-time leading trainer with five victories, will saddle four runners.

His strongest contender appears to be Kathrynmarissa (American Pharoah), who captured the Modesty Stakes and defeated Gezora thanks to an impressive late burst.

Brown will also be represented by City Girl (City Light), winner of the Beaugay Stakes (G3); the improving Portfolio Duration (Night Of Thunder), who will attempt a distance beyond a mile for the first time; and Pretty Picture (Munnings), who arrives off a dominant allowance victory and now faces the toughest assignment of her career.

The field also includes Laurelin (Zarak), winner of the Saratoga Oaks and a multiple graded-stakes placer; Bellezza (Siyouni), third in this race a year ago; and Speed Shopper (Quality Road), one of the division's hottest mares after consecutive stakes victories and now set to test Grade 1 company for the first time.

With European stars, a Breeders' Cup heroine, Saratoga specialists, and several rapidly improving mares all converging on the same race, the New York Stakes shapes up as one of the most compelling events of the American weekend.

And at the heart of it all will be Gezora and Cankoura, rivals who crossed paths in the Prix de Diane a year ago and now bring their rivalry to the famed turf of Saratoga.