Iroquois Stakes (Churchill Downs)

Iroquois Stakes

Class	Grade III
Location	Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated	1982
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	Churchill Downs
Race information
Distance	1 mile
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Two-year-olds
Weight	122 lbs with allowances
Purse	US$300,000 (2021)
Bonuses	Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Juvenile

The Iroquois Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds over a distance of one mile on the dirt scheduled annually in September at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently offers a purse of $300,000.

History

The event was inaugurated on 6 November 1982. It was won by the improving Highland Park who was having tenth start of his juvenile career and guided by US Hall of Fame jockey Donald Brumfield by a margin of 6 lengths over the one mile distance in a time of 1:381⁄5. ^[1]

The event is named for Iroquois, the first American horse to win the English Epsom Derby who in turn was named for the Native American tribe, the Iroquois.

In 199,0 the event was classified as Grade III. ^[2]

In 2013, the distance for the event was increased to 1+1⁄16 mile. ^[3] In 2020 and 2023 the event was decreased back to 1 mile.

The race opens the Road to the Kentucky Derby Prep Season. The winner receives 10 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.The event is also a "Win and You're In" race in the Breeders' Cup Challenge series.

Records

Speed record

• 1 mile: 1:35.00 – Sittin On Go (2020)
• 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:43.58 – Dennis' Moment (2019)

Margins

• 8+3⁄4 lengths – Not This Time (2016)

Most wins by a jockey

• 4 – Pat Day (1985, 1990, 1997, 2002)

Most wins by a trainer

• 4 – William I. Mott (1983, 1990, 1991, 2007)
• 4 – Dale Romans (2013, 2016, 2019, 2020)

Most wins by an owner

• 2 – William Lucas (1983, 1990)
• 2 – Claiborne Farm (1985, 1999)
• 2 – Stonestreet Stables (2006, 2010)
• 2 – Albaugh Family Stables (2019, 2020)
• 2 – WinStar Farm (2007, 2021)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
2024	Jonathan's Way	Joel Rosario	Philip Bauer	Rigney Racing	1 mile	1:36.08	$254,745	III	[4]
2023	West Saratoga	Rafael Bejarano	Larry Demeritte	Harry L. Veruchi	1 mile	1:37.28	$300,000	III	[5]
2022	Curly Jack	Edgar Morales	Thomas M. Amoss	Michael McLoughlin	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.62	$299,250	III	[6]
2021	Major General	Javier Castellano	Todd Pletcher	WinStar Farm and Siena Farm	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.88	$300,000	III	[7]
2020	Sittin On Go	Corey Lanerie	Dale L. Romans	Albaugh Family Stables	1 mile	1:35.00	$200,000	III	[8]
2019	Dennis' Moment	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Dale L. Romans	Albaugh Family Stables	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.58	$150,000	III	[9]
2018	Cairo Cat	Brian Hernandez Jr.	Kenneth G. McPeek	Walking L Thoroughbreds	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.35	$150,000	III	[10]
2017	The Tabulator	Jose Valdivia Jr.	Larry Rivelli	Carolyn Wilson	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.50	$150,000	III	[11]
2016	Not This Time	Robby Albarado	Dale L. Romans	Albaugh Family Stables	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.22	$150,000	III	[12]
2015	Cocked and Loaded	Emmanuel Esquivel	Larry Rivelli	Richard Ravin & Patricia's Hope	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.94	$150,000	III	[13]
2014	Lucky Player	Ricardo Santana Jr.	Steven M. Asmussen	Jerry Durant	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.76	$115,500	III	[14]
2013	Cleburne	Corey J. Lanerie	Dale L. Romans	Donegal Racing	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.65	$173,500	III	[15]
2012	Uncaptured	Miguel Mena	Mark E. Casse	John C. Oxley	1 mile	1:37.63	$119,800	III	[16]
2011	Motor City	Calvin H. Borel	Ian R. Wilkes	Lantern Hill Farm	1 mile	1:37.18	$110,700	III	[17]
2010	Astrology	Garrett K. Gomez	Steven M. Asmussen	Stonestreet Stables & George Bolton	1 mile	1:38.43	$122,300	III	[18]
2009	Thiskyhasnolimit	Shaun Bridgmohan	Steven M. Asmussen	Cathy & Bob Zollars & Mark Wagner	1 mile	1:37.36	$120,800	III	[19]
2008	Capt. Candyman Can	Julien R. Leparoux	Ian R. Wilkes	Joseph Rauch & David Zell	1 mile	1:35.16	$111,100	III	[20]
2007	Court Vision	Julien R. Leparoux	William I. Mott	WinStar Farm	1 mile	1:37.26	$171,150	III	[21]
2006	Tiz Wonderful	Garrett K. Gomez	Scott Blasi	Stonestreet Stables	1 mile	1:35.92	$110,900	III	[22]
2005	Catcominatcha	Rafael Bejarano	Eddie Kenneally	Thomas M. McCann	1 mile	1:36.38	$116,700	III	[23]
2004	Straight Line	Brice Blanc	Harvey L. Vanier	Nancy A. Vanier & Cartwright Thoroughbreds	1 mile	1:36.62	$109,600	III	[24]
2003	The Cliff's Edge	Shane Sellers	Nicholas P. Zito	Robert V. LaPenta	1 mile	1:35.57	$113,700	III	[25]
2002	Champali	Pat Day	Gregory D. Foley	Lloyd Madison Farms IV	1 mile	1:37.06	$114,200	III	[26]
2001	Harlan's Holiday	Anthony J. D'Amico	Kenneth G. McPeek	Starlight Stable	1 mile	1:35.01	$113,200	III	[27]
2000	Meetyouathebrig	Gary L. Stevens	W. Elliott Walden	Mansell Stables & James H. Stone	1 mile	1:35.24	$124,300	III	[28]
1999	Mighty	Marlon St. Julien	Frank L. Brothers	Claiborne Farm & Adele B Dilschneider	1 mile	1:35.88	$110,900	III	[29]
1998	Exploit	Chris McCarron	Bob Baffert	Robert & Beverly Lewis	1 mile	1:36.26	$114,700	III	[30]
1997	Keene Dancer	Pat Day	David M. Carroll	Tri County Farm	1 mile	1:37.84	$111,100	III	[31]
1996	Global View	Kenneth Bourque	James O. Keefer	William Heiligbrodt, Ted Keefer & W. (Buddy) New	1 mile	1:36.49	$110,000	III	[32]
1995	Ide	Craig Perret	Peter M. Vestal	Willmott Stables	1 mile	1:36.89	$113,300	III	[33]
1994	Peruvian	José A. Santos	Peter M. Vestal	Dogwood Stable	1 mile	1:36.68	$118,500	III	[34]
1993	Tarzans Blade	Brent E. Bartram	Steven L. Morguelan	Dr. William E. Yancey, William D. Yancey & Tommy Sandefur	1 mile	1:37.00	$117,300	III	[35]
1992	Shoal Creek	Brent E. Bartram	Anthony L. Reinstedler	Loblolly Stable	1 mile	1:37.51	$117,500	III	[36]
1991	Portroe	Mike E. Smith	William I. Mott	Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum	1 mile	1:37.96	$117,800	III	[37]
1990	Richman	Pat Day	William I. Mott	William Lucas	1 mile	1:36.60	$56,350	III	[38]
1989	Insurrection	Patrick A. Johnson	Steven C. Penrod	Paul Bryan	1 mile	1:36.80	$57,500		[39]
1988	Dansil	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Frank L. Brothers	John A. Franks	1 mile	1:38.20	$56,150		[40]
1987	Buoy	K. Keith Allen	Joseph M. Bollero	Lois Bollero	1 mile	1:37.80	$51,630		[41]
1986	Icetrain	Mike E. Smith	J. Bert Sonnier	Nelson Bunker Hunt	1 mile	1:40.20	$53,750		[42]
1985	Tile	Pat Day	Steven C. Penrod	Claiborne Farm	1 mile	1:37.20	$54,960		[43]
1984	Banner Bob	K. Keith Allen	Jerome J. Sarner Jr.	Sharon & William J. Walsh	1 mile	1:37.60	$30,000		[44]
1983	Taylor's Special	Don Brumfield	William I. Mott	William Lucas	1 mile	1:37.20	$29,800		[45]
1982	Highland Park	Don Brumfield	Anthony Basile	Bwamazon Farm (Millard Waldheim)	1 mile	1:38.20	$29,375		[1]

See also

• Road to the Kentucky Derby
• List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

1. Sowers, Richard (7 November 1982). "Highland Park strolls in Iroquois (1982 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 6 November 1982)". The Courier-Journal . p. 50. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
2. "Iroquois Stakes (Gr. 3)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
3. "IROQUOIS STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
4. "2024 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
5. "2023 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
6. "2022 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
7. "2021 Iroquois Stakes presented by Ford Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
8. "2020 Iroquois Stakes presented by Ford Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
9. "2019 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
10. "2018 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
11. "2017 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
12. "2016 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
13. "2015 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
14. "2014 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
15. "2013 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
16. "2012 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
17. "2011 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
18. "2010 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
19. "2009 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
20. "2008 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 November 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
21. "2007 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 28 October 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
22. "2006 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 29 October 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
23. "2005 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
24. "2004 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 6 November 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
25. "2003 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 November 2003. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
26. "2002 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 3 November 2002. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
27. "2001 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 November 2001. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
28. "2000 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 2)". Equibase. 4 November 2000. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
29. "1999 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 6 November 1999. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
30. "1998 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 2)". Equibase. 7 November 1998. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
31. "1997 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 November 1997. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
32. "1996 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 November 1996. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
33. "1995 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 November 1995. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
34. "1994 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 2)". Equibase. 5 November 1994. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
35. "1993 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 7 November 1993. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
36. "1992 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 8 November 1992. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
37. "1991 Iroquois Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 2 November 1991. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
38. Rees, Jennie (4 November 1990). "Richman nabs Iroquois, reunites Day, Mott, Lucas in winner's circle (1990 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 3 November 1990)". The Courier-Journal . p. 12. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
39. Berry, Jack (5 November 1989). "Ruling class gains new member as Johnson sparks Insurrection (1989 Iroquois Stakes – race 6: held 4 November 1989)". The Courier-Journal . p. 24. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
40. "The Iroquois (1988 Iroquois Stakes – race 1: held 5 November 1988)". The Courier-Journal . 6 November 1988. p. 19. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
41. Koerner, Dave (16 November 1987). "Buoy refuses to sink to defeat, wins Iroquois by a nose over Key Voyage (1987 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 15 November 1987)". The Courier-Journal . p. 12. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
42. Rees, Jennie (9 November 1986). "Bert's and earnings: Sonnier's on the money with Icetrain (1986 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 8 November 1986)". The Courier-Journal . p. 24. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
43. Rees, Jennie (10 November 1985). "Tile takes Iroquois; keeps his slate clean at Churchill Downs (1985 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 9 November 1985)". The Courier-Journal . p. 16. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
44. Rees, Jennie (4 November 1984). "Sarner waves the flag as hyper Banner Bob unfurls win at Downs (1984 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 3 November 1984)". The Courier-Journal . pp. 12, 19. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
45. Rees, Jennie (1 November 1983). "Hyper Taylor's Special wins Iroquois at Churchill Downs (1983 Iroquois Stakes – race 8: held 31 October 1983)". The Courier-Journal . p. 10. Retrieved 24 August 2020.