Opening Verse Stakes

Last updated
Opening Verse Stakes
Ungraded stakes race
Location Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky,
United States
Inaugurated2004
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Race information
Distance1 mile (8 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
Purse$116,500 added

The Opening Verse Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Churchill Downs. A race on turf over a distance of one mile, it is open to horses of either sex age three and older. The race is named for Opening Verse, winner of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs, and was run as the Opening Verse Handicap from inception through 2008.

Contents

Historical notes

The inaugural running of the Opening Verse took place on June 12, 2004, and was won by Senor Swinger. [1] Owned by prominent Californians Robert & Beverly Lewis and trained by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bob Baffert, Senior Swinger returned to win the race for a second time on June 18, 2005. [2]

In 2013 and again in 2020, weather conditions were such that for safety reasons the race was switched from the turf course to the dirt track. [3] [4]

Records

Speed record:

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwner
Dist.
(Miles)
TimeWin $ Gr.
2022Gray's Fable4 Luis Saez Roger L. Attfield Steve Goldfine, Kari Provost & Jeff Zlonis1 m1:36.22$96,722 B/T
2021Set Piece4 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Juddmonte Farm 1 m1:38.26$54,126 B/T
2020Crafty Daddy4 Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenneth G. McPeek Lucky Seven Stable (Mackin Brothers)1 m1:34.10$71,730 B/T
2019Siem Riep5James GrahamBen ColebrookMarc Detampel1 m1:35.07$68,776B/T
2018Mr Cub4Chris Landeros Ian R. Wilkes Turf Stable Racing (Rusty Jones)1 m1:34.69$42,780B/T
2017Pleuven6 Corey Lanerie Philip A. SimsNelson McMakin1 m1:36.15$32,993B/T
2016Thatcher Street5 Brian Hernandez Jr. Ian R. Wilkes Randall L. Bloch, Phil Milner, John Seiler, Amtietan LLC (Fred Merritt)1 m1:38.22$39,780B/T
2015 The Pizza Man 6 Florent Geroux Roger BrueggemannMidwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.1-1/16 m1:43.29$32,400B/T
2014Regally Ready7 Rosie Napravnik Steven M. Asmussen Vinery Stables1-1/16 m1:42.26$39,660B/T
2013 Silver Max 4 Robby Albarado Dale L. Romans Mark Bacon & Dana Wells1-1/16 m1:44.34$39,420B/T
2012Guys Reward5 Corey Lanerie Dale L. Romans Michael J. Bruder1-1/16 m1:41.98$44,820B/T
2011Turallure4 Julien Leparoux Charles LoPresti Four D Stable (Donna Arnold)1-1/16 m1:40.41$46,380B/T
2010Tizdejavu5 Jesús Castañón Gregory J. FoxMichael Cooper & Pamela Ziebarth1-1/16 m1:42.35$37,800B/T
2009Race not held
2008Inca King4 Shaun Bridgmohan Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable1-1/16 m1:42.39$70,503 L/R
2007Therecomesatiger5 Jamie Theriot Thomas F. Proctor Charles R. Patton1-1/16 m1:43.64$67,270L/R
2006Rush Bay4 Rafael Bejarano Thomas M. Amoss Mueller Thoroughbred Stable, Ltd. & Phoebe Mueller1-1/16 m1:42.52$67,580L/R
2005Senor Swinger5 Brice Blanc Bob Baffert Robert Lewis & Beverly Lewis 1-1/16 m1:42.07$68,944
2004Senor Swinger4 Pat Day Bob Baffert Robert Lewis & Beverly Lewis 1-1/16 m1:45.82$68,758

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References

  1. "Opening Verse H." Thoroughbred Daily News. 2004-06-13. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  2. "Senor Swinger proves best in Opening Verse". Louisville, Kentucky Courier-Journal, page C1. 2005-06-19. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  3. "Churchill Downs Race Day Notes for Sunday, June 2". Churchill Downs Incorporated. 2013-06-02. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  4. "Opening Verse H." Thoroughbred Daily News. 2020-09-03. Retrieved 2021-01-04.