Aristides Stakes

Aristides Stakes

Class	Grade III
Location	Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated	1989 (as Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap)
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	Churchill Downs
Race information
Distance	6 furlongs
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Four-year-olds and older
Weight	122 lbs with allowances
Purse	US$275,000 (since 2024)

The Aristides Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt scheduled annually in late May or early June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently offers a purse of $275,000.

History

The Aristides Stakes is named in honor of the racehorse Aristides who won the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 on the Churchill Downs track.

The race itself was inaugurated in June 18, 1989 as the Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap over a distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs and was won by the Paul McGee=trained ex-claimer Bet the Pot. ^[1] The condition of entry to the handicap were for horses three years old older.

Breeders' Cup sponsorship ceased in 1996 but the quality of entrants continued to improve and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association upgraded the event to Grade III status. ^[2]

Bet on Sunshine, the first two-time winner in the race's history, set a new track record of 1:15.11 for 6+1⁄2 furlongs in 2000 as an eight-year-old ^[3] then in 2001 beat his own record with a time of 1:14.79. ^[4]

Breeders' Cup sponsorship resumed in 2004 for three runnings of the event and the distance was decreased to six furlongs. ^[2] Kelly's Landing ran the fastest six furlongs in Churchill Downs history when he won the 2005 edition in a time of 1:07.59. ^[5] Later in 2020 Volatile would better the stakes record with a time of 1:07.57 when he won easily by eight lengths as the 1/2 odds-on favorite. ^[6]

In 2019 the event lost its graded status. ^[4]

In 2020 the conditions of the event were modified so that only horses four years old and older could enter. ^[6]

In 2025 the event was upgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to a Grade III. ^[7]

Records

Speed record

• 6 furlongs: 1:07.57 – Volatile (2020)
• 6+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:14.41 – Orientate (2002)

Margins

• 8 lengths – Volatile (2020)

Most wins

• 2 – Bet On Sunshine (2000, 2001)
• 2 – Alsvid (2015, 2016)
• 2 – Bango (2021, 2022)

Most wins by a jockey

• 3 – Shane J. Sellers (1994, 1997, 1998)
• 3 – Corey J. Lanerie (2003, 2017, 2019)

Most wins by a trainer

• 5 – Steven M. Asmussen (2003, 2010, 2012, 2020, 2023)

Most wins by an owner

• 2 – David P. Halloway Racing (2000, 2001)
• 2 – Maggi Moss (2008, 2014)
• 2 – Black Hawk Stable (2015, 2016)
• 2 – Tamaroak Partners (2021, 2022)

Winners

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
Aristides Stakes
2024	Closethegame Sugar	4	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Adam Rice	Adam Rice & Sugar Diaz	6 furlongs	1:08.39	$260,000	Listed	[8]
2023	Gunite	4	Tyler Gaffalione	Steven M. Asmussen	Winchell Thoroughbreds	6 furlongs	1:08.46	$224,500	Listed	[9]
2022	Bango	5	Tyler Gaffalione	Gregory D. Foley	Tamaroak Partners	6 furlongs	1:08.54	$199,833	Listed	[10]
2021	Bango	4	Marcelino Pedroza Jr.	Gregory D. Foley	Tamaroak Partners	6 furlongs	1:09.65	$150,000	Listed	[11]
2020	Volatile	4	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steven M. Asmussen	Phoenix Thoroughbred III & Three Chimneys Farm	6 furlongs	1:07.57	$100,000	Listed	[6]
2019	Wilbo	7	Corey J. Lanerie	Chris A. Hartman	Chris Wilkins	6 furlongs	1:09.27	$125,000	Listed	[12]
2018	Chief Cicatriz	5	James Graham	Shawn H. Davis	Roy Gene Stables	6 furlongs	1:08.44	$100,000	III	[13]
2017	Limousine Liberal	5	Corey J. Lanerie	Ben Colebrook	Katherine Ball	6 furlongs	1:09.12	$100,000	III	[14]
2016	Alsvid	7	Chris Landeros	Chris A. Hartman	Black Hawk Stable	6 furlongs	1:08.26	$100,000	III	[15]
2015	Alsvid	6	Chris Landeros	Chris A. Hartman	Black Hawk Stable	6 furlongs	1:09.34	$100,000	III	[16]
2014	Delaunay	7	Rosie Napravnik	Thomas M. Amoss	Maggi Moss	6 furlongs	1:09.59	$112,900	III	[17]
2013	Scatman	4	Shaun Bridgmohan	William I. Mott	JEOG Racing	6 furlongs	1:10.56	$106,800	III	[18]
2012	Rothko	4	Corey Nakatani	Steven M. Asmussen	Padua Stables	6 furlongs	1:09.40	$109,400	III	[19]
2011	Noble's Promise	4	Alan Garcia	Kenneth G. McPeek	Chasing Dreams Racing	6 furlongs	1:08.74	$110,300	III	[20]
2010	Riley Tucker	5	Shaun Bridgmohan	Steven M. Asmussen	Zayat Stables	6 furlongs	1:08.34	$107,900	III	[21]
2009	Bold Start	5	Robby Albarado	Kenneth G. McPeek	Lawrence Carroll	6 furlongs	1:09.04	$112,600	III	[22]
2008	Indian Chant	5	Jamie Theriot	Tom Amoss	Maggi Moss	6 furlongs	1:08.40	$119,125	III	[23]
2007	Fabulous Strike	4	Ramon Dominguez	Todd Beattie	Tea Party Stable	6 furlongs	1:07.64	$159,600	III	[24]
Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap
2006	Lost in the Fog	4	Russell Baze	Greg Gilchrist	Harry J. Aleo	6 furlongs	1:08.52	$131,450	III	[25]
2005	Kelly's Landing	4	Gary Stevens	Eddie Kenneally	Summerplace Farm	6 furlongs	1:07.59	$162,450	III	[5]
2004	Champali	4	Rafael Bejarano	Gregory Foley	Lloyd Madison Farms	6 furlongs	1:09.04	$162,150	III	[26]
Aristides Handicap
2003	Mountain General	5	Corey J. Lanerie	Steven M. Asmussen	Keith I. Asmussen	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.01	$109,000	III	[27]
2002	Orientate	4	Robby Albarado	D. Wayne Lukas	Bob & Beverly Lewis	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:14.41	$107,500	III	[28]
2001	Bet On Sunshine	9	Calvin Borel	Paul J. McGee	David P. Halloway Racing	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:14.79	$108,400	III	[29]
2000	Bet On Sunshine	8	Francisco Torres	Paul J. McGee	David P. Halloway Racing	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.11	$109,700	III	[3]
1999	Run Johnny	7	Pat Day	Morris G. Nicks	John Oakley	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.27	$110,600	III	[30]
1998	Thisnearlywasmine	4	Shane J. Sellers	Randy K. Bradshaw	Samantha Siegal, Jan Siegal, & Mace Siegal	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.72	$108,900	Listed	[31]
1997	High Stakes Player	5	Shane J. Sellers	Bob Baffert	Michael E. Pegram	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.85	$109,000	Listed	[32]
1996	Lord Carson	4	Donna M. Barton	D. Wayne Lukas	David P. Reynolds	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.94	$108,500	Listed	[33]
Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap
1995	Boones Mill	3	Donna M. Barton	D. Wayne Lukas	Overbrook Farm	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.90	$103,825	Listed	[34]
1994	Never Wavering	5	Shane J. Sellers	W. Elliott Walden	John Sullivan & V.I. Fisher	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.55	$91,025	Listed	[35]
1993	Gold Spring (ARG)	5	Fabio A. Arguello Jr.	Jesse N. Wigginton	Ross Harris	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.43	$63,701	Listed	[36]
1992	Tricky Fun	4	Pat Day	William H. Fires	Patricia B. Blass	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.35	$68,800		[37]
1991	Bio	5	Brent E. Bartman	Steven C. Penrod	Waddell W. Hancock	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.62	$63,520		[38]
1990	Beau Genius (CAN)	5	Ricardo D. Lopez	Gerald S. Bennett	Dr Brian Davidson	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:16.51	$67,100		[39]
1989	Bet The Pot	4	Charles R. Woods Jr.	Paul J. McGee	McMichael's Racing Stables	6+1⁄2 furlongs	1:15.44	$49,350		[1]

See also

• List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

1. Rees, Jennie (19 June 1989). "McGee's ex-claimer wins Aristides (1989 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap – race 9: held 19 June 1989)". The Courier-Journal . p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
2. "Aristides Stakes (Gr. 3)". equibase. 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
3. "2000 Aristides Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 July 2000. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
4. "ARISTIDES STAKES - CHURCHILL DOWNS, KY UNITED STATES - Grade III". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
5. "2005 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 June 2005. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
6. "2020 Aristides Stakes Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
7. "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2025". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
8. "2024 Aristides Stakes Listed – (race 7)". Equibase. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
9. "2023 Aristides Stakes Listed – (race 6)". Equibase. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
10. "2022 Aristides Stakes Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
11. "2021 Aristides Stakes Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
12. "2019 Aristides Stakes Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
13. "2018 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
14. "2017 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
15. "2016 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
16. "2015 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 8)". Equibase. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
17. "2014 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 5)". Equibase. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
18. "2013 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
19. "2012 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 7)". Equibase. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
20. "2011 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
21. "2010 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 8)". Equibase. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
22. "2009 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
23. "2008 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
24. "2007 Aristides Stakes Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
25. "2006 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade III – (race 10)". Equibase. 3 June 2006. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
26. "2004 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 19 June 2004. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
27. "2003 Aristides Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 21 June 2003. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
28. "2002 Aristides Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 June 2002. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
29. "2001 Aristides Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 30 June 2001. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
30. "1999 Aristides Handicap Grade III – (race 9)". Equibase. 20 June 1999. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
31. "1998 Aristides Handicap Listed – (race 10)". Equibase. 21 June 1998. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
32. "1997 Aristides Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 21 June 1997. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
33. "1996 Aristides Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 22 June 1996. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
34. "1995 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 June 1995. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
35. "1994 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 25 June 1994. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
36. "1993 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 June 1993. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
37. "1992 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 June 1992. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
38. "1991 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type – (race 9)". Equibase. 29 June 1991. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
39. Barry, Jack (4 June 1990). "Beau Genius blazes in Downs' Aristides (1990 Aristides Breeders' Cup Handicap – race 9: held 3 June 1990)". The Courier-Journal . p. 10. Retrieved 15 April 2025.