American Pharoah Stakes

Last updated
American Pharoah Stakes
Grade I race
Location Santa Anita Park
Arcadia, California, United States
Inaugurated1970
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website www.oaktreeracing.com
Race information
Distance1+116 miles (8.5 furlongs)
Surfacedirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationTwo-year-olds
Weight122 pounds (55 kg)
Purse $300,000 (since 2014) [1]

The American Pharoah Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of September during the fall meet at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Grade I event, it is open to two-year-old horses and is held at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.

Contents

The American Pharoah Stakes was run as the Norfolk Stakes through 2011. In 2012, it was renamed to the FrontRunner Stakes after the lease with Oak Tree, the organization that formerly operated Santa Anita's fall meet, ended in 2010. [2] It was renamed again in 2018 in honor of its 2014 winner, American Pharoah, who went on to win the U.S. Triple Crown in 2015. [3]

This race is a Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Season qualifying race. The winner receives 10 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby. [4] It is also currently part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series. The winner automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

First run in 1970, it became a Grade I event in 1980 but was downgraded to Grade II status in 1993. However, the American Graded Stakes Committee announced its return to Grade I status for 2007. [1]

The race was run over a distance of 1 mile from 1997 through 2001. It was run in two divisions in 1980. [5]

Records

Speed record: (at current distance of 1116 miles)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimeWin$
Gr.
2024 Citizen Bull 2 Martin Garcia Bob Baffert SF Racing et al. [lower-alpha 1] 1116 M1:43.07$180,000G1
2023 Muth 2Juan Hernandez Bob Baffert Zedan Racing 1116 M1:42.45$180,000G1
2022 Cave Rock 2Juan Hernandez Bob Baffert Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman1116 M1:43.05$180,000G1
2021 Corniche 2 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Speedway Stables1116 M1:44.75$180,000G1
2020Get Her Number2 Flavien Prat Peter Miller Gary Barber 1116 M1:44.92$180,000G1
2019 Eight Rings 2 John Velazquez Bob Baffert SF Racing LLC et al.1116 M1:45.41$180,000G1
2018 Game Winner 2 Joel Rosario Bob Baffert Gary & Mary West 1116 M1:43.77$180,000G1
FrontRunner Stakes (2011-2017)
2017 Bolt d'Oro 2 Corey Nakatani Mick RuisRuis Racing1116 M1:43.54$180,000G1
2016 Gormley 2 Victor Espinoza John Shirreffs Jerry & Ann Moss 1116 M1:43.57$180,000G1
2015 Nyquist 2 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing 1116 M1:44.89$180,000G1
2014 American Pharoah 2 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Zayat Stables 1116 M1:41.95$180,000G1
2013 Bond Holder 2 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing 1116 M1:45.02$150,000G1
2012 Power Broker 2 Rafael Bejarano Bob Baffert Gary & Mary West 1116 M1:44.44$150,000G1
Norfolk Stakes (1970-2011)
2011 Creative Cause 2 Joel Rosario Mike Harrington Heinz Steinman1116 M1:42.66$150,000G1
2010‡ Jaycito 2 Mike E. Smith Mike Mitchell Zayat Stables 1116 M1:44.17$150,000G1
2009 Lookin at Lucky 2 Garrett Gomez Bob Baffert Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman1116 M1:43.11$180,000G1
2008Street Hero2 Alex Solis Myung Kwon Cho Myung Kwon Cho 1116 M1:42.12$150,000G1
2007Dixie Chatter2 Richard Migliore Richard E. Mandella Herman Sarkowsky 1116 M1:42.64$150,000G1
2006Stormello2 Kent Desormeaux William L. Currin William L. Currin & Al Eisman1116 M1:43.10$150,000G2
2005 Brother Derek 2 Alex Solis Dan L. Hendricks Cecil N. Peacock 1116 M1:44.38$120,000G2
2004 Roman Ruler 2 Corey Nakatani Bob Baffert Fog City Stable1116 M1:44.27$120,000G2
2003Ruler's Court2 Alex Solis Eoin G. Harty Darley Stable 1116 M1:41.27$150,000G2
2002Kafwain2 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert The Thoroughbred Corp. 1116 M1:42.75$120,000G2
2001Essence of Dubai2 Alex Solis Eoin G. Harty Godolphin Racing 1 M1:37.16$150,000G2
2000Flame Thrower2 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Gary M. Garber1 M1:34.86$120,000G2
1999 Dixie Union 2 Alex Solis Richard E. Mandella Diamond A Racing & Herman Sarkowsky 1 M1:35.79$120,000G2
1998Buck Trout2 Eddie Delahoussaye Mike Harrington Heinz Steinmann1 M1:37.55$120,000G2
1997Souvenir Copy2 Gary Stevens Bob Baffert Golden Eagle Farm 1 M1:36.00$120,000G2
1996 Free House 2 Kent Desormeaux J. Paco Gonzalez Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan 1116 M1:43.54$120,000G2
1995Future Quest2 Kent Desormeaux Ron McAnally VHW Stables1116 M1:43.31$120,000G2
1994Supremo2 Gary Stevens Richard W. Mulhall The Thoroughbred Corp. 1116 M1:43.48$120,000G2
1993Shepherd's Field2 Chris McCarron Brad MacDonald Camptown Stable1116 M1:43.11$120,000G2
1992River Special2 Kent Desormeaux Robert B. Hess Jr. Golden Eagle Farm 1116 M1:43.58$120,000G1
1991 Bertrando 2 Alex Solis Bruce Headley 505 Farms 1116 M1:42.87$164,820G1
1990 Best Pal 2 Pat Valenzuela Ian P. D. Jory Golden Eagle Farm 1116 M1:42.80$178,620G1
1989Grand Canyon2 Chris McCarron D. Wayne Lukas D. Wayne Lukas & Overbrook Farm 1116 M1:43.20$166,440G1
1988 Hawkster 2 Pat Valenzuela Ron McAnally J. Shelton Meredith1116 M1:43.40$187,740G1
1987Saratoga Passage2 Joe Steiner Robert W. Leonard Saratoga I Stable1116 M1:45.00$181,140G1
1986 Capote 2 Laffit Pincay Jr. D. Wayne Lukas Barry Beal, L. R. French, Jr. & Gene Klein 1116 M1:45.20$193,680G1
1985 Snow Chief 2 Alex Solis Melvin F. Stute Grinstead & Rochelle1116 M1:44.60$167,340G1
1984 Chief's Crown 2 Don MacBeth Roger Laurin Star Crown Stable1116 M1:42.40$201,960G1
1983Fali Time2 Sandy Hawley Gary F. Jones James L. Mamakos & Marc Stubrin1116 M1:44.20$168,930G1
1982 Roving Boy 2 Eddie Delahoussaye Joseph Manzi Robert E. Hibbert1116 M1:41.60$181,110G1
1981Stalwart2 Chris McCarron D. Wayne Lukas Marvin L. Warner 1116 M1:42.20$140,790G1
1980-1Sir Dancer2 Frank Olivares Charles M. Marikian George Arakelian Farms1116 M1:43.80$100,980G1
1980-2High Counsel2 Larry Gilligan Charles Whittingham Nelson Bunker Hunt 1116 M1:42.80$99,780G1
1979The Carpenter2 Chris McCarron Willard L. Proctor Cardiff Stud Farm 1116 M1:41.80$119,280G2
1978 Flying Paster 2 Don Pierce Gordon C. Campbell Bernard J. Ridder 1116 M1:42.20$118,860G2
1977Balzac2 Bill Shoemaker Charles Whittingham Elizabeth A. Keck 1116 M1:45.40$157,230G2
1976Habitony2 Bill Shoemaker Tommy Doyle Anton W. Pejsa1116 M1:42.00$79,290G2
1975 Telly's Pop 2 Francisco Mena Melvin F. Stute Howard W. Koch & Telly Savalas 1116 M1:43.60$74,295G2
1974George Navonod2 Don Pierce Gordon C. Campbell Navonod Stables1116 M1:42.20$77,370G2
1973Money Lender2 Jerry Lambert Johnny Longden Hazel Longden 1116 M1:42.60$58,050G2
1972Groshawk2 Bill Shoemaker Charles Whittingham Quinn & Muffett Martin 1116 M1:42.20$59,025
1971MacArthur Park2 Bill Shoemaker Tommy Doyle Mark Three Stable1116 M1:41.80$59,445
1970June Darling2 William Mahorney Warren Stute Clement L. Hirsch 1116 M1:43.00$45,765
‡ In 2010 run at Hollywood Park.


  1. The complete ownership list of Citizen Bull is as follow: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables , Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breeders' Cup Classic</span> American Thoroughbred horse race

The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-olds and older run at a distance of 1+14 miles (2,000 m) on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in late October or early November. All of the races to date have been held in the United States except for the 1996 edition held at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile is a Thoroughbred horse race for 2-year-old colts and geldings raced on dirt. It is held annually in late October or early November at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The current purse is US$2,000,000 making it the most valuable race for two-year-olds in North America. It is normally run at a distance of 1+116 miles.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies is a 1+116-mile thoroughbred horse race on dirt for two-year-old fillies run annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships in early November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Espinoza</span> Mexican jockey (born 1972)

Victor Espinoza is a Mexican jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing who won the Triple Crown in 2015 on American Pharoah. He began riding in his native Mexico and went on to compete at racetracks in California. He has won the Kentucky Derby three times, riding War Emblem in 2002, California Chrome in 2014, and American Pharoah in 2015. He also won the Preakness Stakes three times, in those same years and with the same horses. He was the first jockey in history to enter the Belmont Stakes with a third opportunity to win the Triple Crown; his 2015 victory made him the oldest jockey and first Hispanic jockey to accomplish the feat. He joined Ron Turcotte as the only jockeys to win five of the six jewels of the Triple Crown spread over two consecutive years.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge is a series of Thoroughbred horse races in which the winner earns an automatic spot in a specified Breeders' Cup race. The challenge races change somewhat each year. The Challenge series began in 2007 with 24 "Win and You're In" races from 2 countries. By 2014, the series had grown to 71 races across 13 countries. During that period, 24 winners of Breeders' Cup races had qualified via the challenge series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneerof the Nile</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Pioneerof the Nile was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who came second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and sired the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, as well as 2016 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Classic Empire.

Texas Red is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2014, he won one minor race from his first four starts and then established himself as one of the top two-year-old colts in North America with a six and a half length win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He has unique connections, as his part-owner/trainer and his usual jockey are brothers: Keith and Kent Desormeaux.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Breeders' Cup</span> Horse race

The 2015 Breeders' Cup World Championships was the 32nd edition of the thoroughbred horse racing season-ending premier event held on October 30 and 31 at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. The race series, held for the first time at Keeneland, required a significant amount of preparation to transform the small, historic track into a venue capable of handling large crowds, comprising 13 championship races held over a two-day period.

Cupid is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse who won multiple graded stakes races despite several interruptions to his training. At age three, he was a leading contender for the 2016 Kentucky Derby until he developed a breathing problem and missed the race. Returning later in the year, he won the Indiana and West Virginia Derbies before finishing eighth in the Pennsylvania Derby. After an eight-month layoff, he returned in May 2017 to win the Grade I Gold Cup at Santa Anita. He finished his career with six wins from thirteen starts and earnings of $1.7 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justify (horse)</span> American Thoroughbred racehorse, 2018 Triple Crown winner

Justify is a US Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse who is known for being the thirteenth winner of the American Triple Crown. He also was the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year-old.

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint is an American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old horses, run on a grass course at a distance of 5 or 5+12 furlongs, depending on the configuration of the host track. It is part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the de facto year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing. All Breeders' Cups to date have been conducted in the United States, with the exception of the 1996 event in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Winner</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Game Winner is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the champion two-year-old colt of 2018. He was undefeated in four starts at age two, including wins in the Del Mar Futurity, American Pharoah Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He started his three-year-old campaign with second-place finishes in both the Rebel Stakes and Santa Anita Derby before finishing fifth in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. After a brief layoff, he returned in July to win the Los Alamitos Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Into Mischief</span> American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire

Into Mischief is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. During his racing career, he won three of six starts including the CashCall Futurity. Since his retirement, he has developed into an outstanding sire, leading the North American sire list in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. His offspring include Authentic, Mandaloun, Life Is Good and Covfefe.

Authentic is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2020 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic, where he set a new Keeneland track record. He also won the Sham Stakes, San Felipe Stakes, and Haskell Invitational, and was second in the Preakness Stakes and Santa Anita Derby. He was the Horse of the Year and Champion Three-Year-Old Male in 2020 and was the second highest ranked racehorse in the world. He also won the Secretariat Vox Populi Award.

Drayden Van Dyke is a jockey in thoroughbred racing. At graded stakes races, Van Dyke has won 67 events ranging from Grade I to Grade III. Of these wins, Van Dyke has won both the Starlet Stakes and Yellow Ribbon Handicap four times. As a Breeders' Cup jockey, Van Dyke won the Turf Sprint event at the 2018 Breeders' Cup. He was also runner-up at the Breeders' Cup Mile event in 2018 and the Dirt Mile at the 2021 Breeders' Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rombauer (horse)</span> American thoroughbred racehorse

Rombauer is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Preakness Stakes.

Corniche is a retired Champion American thoroughbred racehorse who, as a two-year-old, won the American Pharoah Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Treasure (horse)</span> Thoroughbred race horse

National Treasure is an American thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown. In 2024 National Treasure won the Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Fierceness is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2023 the two-year-old colt won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park en route to being named champion juvenile of 2023. In 2024 he won the Grade I Florida Derby by a record 13+12 lengths and later that year also the Travers Stakes.

Muth is a multiple Grade I winning American Thoroughbred racehorse. In 2023, the two-year-old colt won the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park. In 2024, he won the Grade I Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

References

  1. 1 2 "American Pharoah Stakes Profile". equibase.com. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  2. "Older horses take spotlight in new-look Santa Anita stakes". kentucky. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  3. "Santa Anita Names Stakes After American Pharoah". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  4. "Road to the Kentucky Derby". kentuckyderbyinfographic.com. Churchill Downs Inc. Archived from the original on 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  5. "Dancer Captures Share of Norfolk Stakes". New York Times, Section Sports, page 13. 1980-11-16. Retrieved 2020-01-11.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. "2024 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Grade 1 – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.