| Grade III stakes race | |
| Location | Sam Houston Race Park Houston, Texas, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1995 (as John B. Connally Jr. Turf Cup Handicap) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Website | Sam Houston Race Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄2 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds and older |
| Weight | 123 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | $200,000 (since 2010) |
The John B. Connally Turf Cup is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race, for four-year-olds and older over a distance of one and one-half miles (12 furlongs) on the turf track, held annually in late January or early February at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
One of Sam Houston Race Park's most prestigious races is named in honor of former Texas governor John B. Connally (1917–1993) who was long time supporter and lobbied for the horse racing industry in Texas. [1]
The inaugural running of the event was on 21 October 1995 as the John B. Connally Jr. Turf Cup Handicap for horses three-years-old or older over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles and was won by Temple Webber Junior's Marastani by 3⁄4 lengths in a time of 1:51.25. [2]
The following year 1990 and until 2008, the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event which reflected in the name of the event. [3] In 1997 the event was moved from October to early April. [3]
The event was upgraded in 2006 by the American Graded Stakes Committee to a Grade III race. [3] In 2009 the event was not held. [4]
In 2011 the event was moved to a January schedule and the conditions were changed to allow only four-year-olds and older. [3] [5] The following year the event's conditions were changed from a handicap to a stakes with allowances with the name of the event modified to the John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes. [3]
In 2016 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄2 miles. [4]
The event is one of only two graded stakes races held at the track along with the Grade III Houston Ladies Classic. Along with the Ladies Classic, Pulse Power Turf Sprint and Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, the John B. Connally Turf Cup is one of the main events of the Houston Racing Festival. [6]
Speed record:
Margins:
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Dynadrive | 7 | Reylu Gutierrez | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:34.00 | $200,000 | III | [7] |
| 2023 | Scarlet Fusion | 6 | Adam Beschizza | Joe Sharp | Carl R. Moore Management & Brad Grady | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:33.50 | $200,000 | III | [8] |
| 2022 | Another Mystery | 6 | Jareth Loveberry | Chris Block | Team Block | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.28 | $200,000 | III | Dead heat [9] |
| Fantasioso (ARG) | 7 | James Graham | Ignacio Correas IV | Bloom Racing Stable & Ignacio Correas IV | ||||||
| 2021 | Spooky Channel | 6 | Julien R. Leparoux | Brian A. Lynch | Terry Hamilton | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.94 | $200,000 | III | [10] |
| 2020 | Dot Matrix | 7 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Ten Strike Racing | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:33.46 | $200,000 | III | [11] |
| 2019 | Bigger Picture | 8 | Jose L. Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.62 | $200,000 | III | [12] |
| 2018 | Bigger Picture | 7 | Jose L. Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.13 | $200,000 | III | [13] |
| 2017 | Bigger Picture | 6 | Jose L. Ortiz | Michael J. Maker | Three Diamonds Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.24 | $248,500 | III | [14] |
| 2016 | Da Big Hoss | 5 | Florent Geroux | Michael J. Maker | Skychai Racing | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.16 | $200,000 | III | [15] |
| 2015 | Coalport | 6 | Miguel Mena | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $200,000 | III | [16] |
| 2014 | Admiral Kitten | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Michael J. Maker | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.80 | $200,000 | III | [17] |
| 2013 | Swift Warrior | 5 | Jose L. Espinoza | John P. Terranova II | James Covello & James Dolan | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.21 | $200,000 | III | [18] |
| 2012 | Papaw Bodie | 5 | Rosie Napravnik | Michael J. Maker | Connie M. Apostelos | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.84 | $200,000 | III | [19] |
| John B. Connally Turf Cup Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2011 | Schramsberg | 5 | Chris Landeros | Chris A. Hartman | Bobby Joe Hammer | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.22 | $200,000 | III | [5] |
| John B. Connally Turf Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2010 | Acting Zippy | 5 | Robby Albarado | William Don Bennett | William Don Bennett & Carl Bowling | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.31 | $197,000 | III | [20] |
| 2009 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 2008 | Scrappy Roo | 5 | Paul M. Nolan | John G. Locke | Tawana Cantrell | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.65 | $168,500 | III | [21] |
| 2007 | Mending Fences | 5 | Quincy Hamilton | Martin D. Wolfson | Farnworth Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.34 | $201,000 | III | [22] |
| 2006 | Fort Prado | 5 | Robby Albarado | Jeff Trosclair | Team Block | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.41 | $193,000 | III | [23] |
| 2005 | Rapid Proof | 5 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Hal R. Wiggins | Dolphus C. Morrison | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.31 | $216,000 | Listed | [24] |
| 2004 | Warleigh | 4 | Jeremy Beasley | Steven M. Asmussen | Rosendo G. Parra | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.01 | $222,000 | Listed | [25] |
| 2003 | Candid Glen | 6 | Elvis J. Perrodin | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Glen C. Warren | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.21 | $223,000 | Listed | [26] |
| 2002 | Candid Glen | 5 | Elvis J. Perrodin | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Glen C. Warren | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.38 | $222,000 | Listed | [27] |
| 2001 | Candid Glen | 4 | Elvis J. Perrodin | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Glen C. Warren | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.51 | $212,000 | Listed | [28] |
| 2000 | Rod and Staff | 7 | Robby Albarado | Bobby C. Barnett | Jim H. Plemmons | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.68 | $162,250 | Listed | [29] |
| 1999 | Chorwon | 6 | Calvin H. Borel | Hal R. Wiggins | Thomas C. Mueller | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.65 | $165,750 | Listed | [30] |
| 1998 | Chorwon | 5 | Gerard Melancon | Hal R. Wiggins | Thomas C. Mueller | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.86 | $137,850 | Listed | [31] |
| 1997 | Scott's Scoundrel | 5 | Ronald D. Ardoin | Paul J. Pellerin | Virgil L. Huskey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.63 | $125,000 | Listed | [32] |
| 1996 | Western Trader | 5 | Carlos Gonzalez | Bobby C. Barnett | John A. Franks | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.30 | $122,250 | Listed | [33] |
| John B. Connally Jr. Turf Cup Handicap | ||||||||||
| 1995 | Marastani | 5 | Curt C. Bourque | Thomas M. Amoss | Temple Webber Jr. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.25 | $75,000 | Listed | [2] |
Legend:
Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Longines.
The Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for three year olds and older over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during the fall meeting.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race, by invitation for four-year-olds and older over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the turf track, held annually in late January or early February at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $1,000,000.
The Santa Anita Sprint Championship is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old or older over the distance of six furlongs on the dirt scheduled annually in September at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The Just A Game Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up run over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of $500,000.
The Forty Niner Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older run over a distance of one mile on the dirt held annually in late October at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event offers a purse of $350,000.
The Wise Dan Stakes is a Grade II American thoroughbred horse race for horses four-year-old and older run at a distance of one and one sixteenth of a mile on the turf held annually in June at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Del Mar Mile Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years and older run over a distance of one mile on the turf held annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.
The Pat O'Brien Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The Inside Information Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older, over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt held annually in late January at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The City of Hope Mile Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old or older over the distance of one mile on the turf scheduled annually in September at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.
The Fourstardave Handicap is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for horses that are three years old or older over a distance of one mile on the turf course scheduled annually in August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
The Las Cienegas Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up over a distance of about six and one-half furlongs on the Hillside Turf Course held annually in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently offers a purse of US$100,000.
The Ballston Spa Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf course scheduled annually in late July or early August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
The Sam F. Davis Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years old horses over the distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt scheduled annually in February at Tampa Bay Downs racetrack in Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $250,000.
The Greenwood Cup Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older, over a distance of one-and-one-half miles on the dirt held annually in September during the fall meeting at Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. The current purse is $200,000.
The Fair Grounds Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older run over a distance of about 1+1⁄8 miles on the turf annually in mid-February at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. It currently offers a purse of $175,000.
The Kentucky Turf Cup is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older, over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles on the turf, held annually in September at Kentucky Downs racetrack in Franklin, Kentucky, during their short turf meeting. The event currently carries a purse of $1,7000,000, which includes $400,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
The Houston Ladies Classic Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and older over a distance of one and aon-sixteenth miles on the dirt track held annually in late January at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.
The Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older run over a distance of 1+3⁄8 miles on the turf held annually in July at Delaware Park in Stanton, Delaware.
This short news clip, reported by Larry Todd, covers John Connally receiving the First Annual Award - an inscribed gold belt buckle - from the Texas Racing Association in recognition of his support of the sport in Texas. In his acceptance speech, he pays special tribute to Robert Kleberg, Jr. and the King Ranch for raising a great number of champion horses.