Pat Day Mile Stakes

Last updated
Pat Day Mile Stakes
Grade II race
Location Churchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1924 (as the Derby Trial Stakes)
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Sponsor LG&E and KU Energy (2021)
Website www.churchilldowns.com
Race information
Distance1 mile
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
Qualificationthree-year-olds
Weight122 lbs with allowances
PurseUS$600,000 (2024)

The Pat Day Mile Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on dirt over a distance of one mile scheduled on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The current purse is $600,000.

Contents

History

Race name

Originally, the event was known as the Derby Trial Stakes and was held one week before the Kentucky Derby. It was first run in 1924 and every year since, with the exception of 1928.

The race name was given similar to races in Britain which preceded the Epsom Derby such as the Investec Derby Trial (now Blue Riband Trial Stakes) and Lingfield Derby Trial and in Australia, the Geelong Derby Trial Stakes (now known as the Geelong Classic).

In 2015, this race was renamed to the Pat Day Mile Stakes (in honor of the Hall of Fame jockey, Pat Day) and moved to the undercard of Kentucky Derby day. Its purse was increased from $150,000 to $200,000. [1] In 2016, the purse was raised to $250,000.

From 2010 through 2012, it had been named the Cliff's Edge Derby Trial. [2]

Distance and class

The distance was reduced between 1977 and 1981 to 7 furlongs. And once again the distance from 2007 to 2009 was 7+12 furlongs. The Derby Trial Stakes was an ungraded event from 2006 to 2008. [3]

Winners of the Trial and Derby

Four trainers have won the Derby Trial and the Kentucky Derby with the same horse. The feat was accomplished by Hanley Webb in 1924 with Black Gold and by Ben A. Jones who did it twice, first with the great Citation in 1948 and then with Hill Gail in 1952. Eddie Hayward won both in 1953 with Dark Star and in 1958 Jimmy Jones, son of Ben, became the fourth and last to do it when he won the two races with Tim Tam. [4] Since Tim Tam, the gradual trend in training has been toward giving Derby contenders fewer prep races and more time between them. This practice has all but eliminated the Trial as a legitimate Derby prep race. Even the 1982 decision to move it from the Tuesday before the Derby to the Saturday before didn't help.

However, the three weeks between the Trial and the 1 3/16ths-mile Preakness in Baltimore is perfect. In recent years, the Trial has sent the Preakness such horses as Key to the Mint (1972), No More Flowers (1987), Houston (1989), Honor Grades (1991), Alydeed (1992), Cherokee Run (1993), Numerous (1994), Our Gatsby (1995), Black Cash (1998), Patience Game (1999), Sir Shackleton (2004), Flying First Class (2007), Macho Again (2008), and Pleasant Prince (2010).

Although none of those Trial horses won the Preakness, Alydeed, Cherokee Run and Macho Again finished second at Pimlico Race Course and Key to the Mint finished third. And two of trainer Woody Stephens' Trial winners Caveat in 1983 and Creme Fraiche in '85 went on to win the Belmont Stakes (GI). Additionally, the 2008 Belmont Stakes was won by Da'Tara, trained by Nick Zito, who finished in fifth place in the 2008 Derby Trial Stakes.

Calumet Farm had three horses that finished second in the Trial. In 1941, Whirlaway finished second to Blue Pair in the Trial, but then roared back to win the Triple Crown. In 1949, Ponder was second to Olympia in the Trial, but came back five days later to take the Derby by three lengths over Capot.

In 1957, Middleground finished second in the Trial to Black George on a muddy track, but won the Kentucky Derby later on a fast track.

And then there was the ill-fated Gen. Duke in 1957. He came to Churchill Downs touted as a potential superstar, but finished second to Federal Hill in the Trial. Then, the morning of the Derby, Gen. Duke was scratched because of a foot injury suffered in the Trial.

In 1967, Barb's Delight became the last Trial horse to have a significant impact on the Derby, finishing second by a length to longshot Proud Clarion. Don't Get Mad finished fourth in the Derby in 2005.

The last horse to win the Saturday before the Derby and then win the roses was Cannonade in 1974. But the race he won was the now-defunct 7f Stepping Stone Purse, not the Derby Trial.

Losers of the Trial and winners of the Derby

Several Kentucky Derby winners failed to win the Trial, but bounced back to win the "Run for the Roses." Most notable of those were Calumet Farm's Iron Liege, who finished fifth in the Trial and returned to defeat a Kentucky Derby field that included champions Gallant Man, Round Table and Bold Ruler and is generally considered to be the greatest field in Derby history. King Ranch's Assault finished fourth in the Trial, but returned to win the Derby and sweep the Triple Crown. In 1941, Triple Crown winner Whirlaway finished second in the Derby Trial, but returned to sweep the Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

Records

Speed record
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer
Most wins by an owner

Winners

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Dist.
(Miles) / (Furlongs)
Time
Purse
Gr.
2024Seize the GreyJaime TorresD. Wayne LukasMyRacehorse1 mile1:35.96$594,710II
2023General Jim Luis Saez Claude R. McGaughey III Courtlandt Farms1 mile1:34.43$500,000II
2022 Jack Christopher José Ortiz Chad C. Brown White Birch Farm, Jim Bakke, Gerry Isbister Gerald Isbister1 mile1:34.81$500,000II
2021 Jackie's Warrior Joel Rosario Steven M. Asmussen J. Kirk Robison and Judy Robison1 mile1:34.39$500,000II
2020Rushie Javier Castellano Michael W. McCarthy Jim Daniell & Donna Daniell1 mile1:34.41$500,000II
2019Mr. Money Gabriel Saez W. Bret Calhoun Allied Racing Stable (Chester Thomas)1 mile1:35.21$400,000III
2018Funny Duck Brian Hernandez Jr. George R. Arnold II Calumet Farm 1 mile1:37.16$300,000III
2017Wild Shot Corey Lanerie George R. Arnold II Calumet Farm 1 mile1:35.58$250,000III
2016Sharp Azteca Edgard J. Zayas Jorge Navarro Gelfenstein Farm1 mile1:34.37$250,000III
2015Competitive Edge John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Favreau Psoinos/Tabor1 mile1:34.18$200,000III
2014Embellishing Bob Brian Hernandez Jr. Steve Margolis Martin L. Cherry1 mile1:36.73$150,000III
2013Forty Tales Joel Rosario Todd A. Pletcher Perretti Racing Stable1 mile1:35.77$231,400III
2012Hierro Julien Leparoux Steven M. Asmussen Stonestreet Stables 1 mile1:35.27$231,400III
2011Machen Edgar Prado Neil Howard Courtlandt Farm 1 mile1:35.47$231,400III
2010Hurricane Ike Calvin Borel John W. Sadler Ike & Dawn Thrash1 mile1:36.35$200,000III
2009Hull Miguel Mena Dale L. Romans Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 7+12 fur.1:30.21$112,000III
2008 Macho Again Julien Leparoux Dallas Stewart West Point Thoroughbreds 7+12 fur.1:28.45$115,200
2007Flying First Class Mark Guidry D. Wayne Lukas Ellwood W. Johnston 7+12 fur.1:29.28$117,800
2006Record Rafael Bejarano Bob Baffert Sunset Stables1 mile1:36.32$114,939
2005Don't Get Mad Gary Stevens Ronald W. Ellis B. Wayne Hughes 1 mile1:36.00$113,100
2004Sir Shackleton Rafael Bejarano Nick Zito Tracy Farmer 1 mile1:37.61$110,800III
2003Midas Eyes Jerry Bailey Robert J. Frankel Edmund A. Gann 1 mile1:36.22$167,400III
2002Sky Terrace Craig Perret Vickie Foley Vickie Foley & T. Thieneman1 mile1:36.87$112,800III
2001Meetyouathebrig Robby Albarado W. Elliott Walden Mansell Stable & James Stone1 mile1:36.22$117,000III
2000Performing Magic Pat Day Alex Hassinger,Jr. The Thoroughbred Corp. 1 mile1:35.99$114,000III
1999Patience Game Corey Nakatani Alex Hassinger Jr. The Thoroughbred Corp. 1 mile1:37.86$118,626III
1998Souvenir Copy David Flores Bob Baffert John & Betty Mabee 1 mile1:37.80$113,300III
1997Richter Scale Shane Sellers Patrick B. Byrne Richard Kaster1 mile1:36.00$116,870III
1996Valid Expectations Don Pettinger Steve Asmussen Robert & Leland Ackerley1 mile1:36.81$128,375III
1995 Peaks and Valleys Julie Krone James E. Day Pin Oak Stable 1 mile1:36.53$113,100III
1994Numerous Chris McCarron Charlie Whittingham Howard B. Keck 1 mile1:37.34$111,600III
1993 Cherokee Run Pat Day Frank A. Alexander Jill E. Robinson1 mile1:37.40$100,000III
1992 Alydeed Craig Perret Roger Attfield Kinghaven Farms 1 mile1:36.20$86,550III
1991Alydavid Pat Day Philip M. Hauswald David's Farm1 mile1:36.40$75,000III
1990 Housebuster Craig Perret Warren A. Croll Jr. Robert P. Levy1 mile1:37.60$75,000III
1989Houston Laffit Pincay Jr. D. Wayne Lukas B. Beal / L.R. French / D. W. Lukas 1 mile1:36.20$85,000III
1988Jim's Orbit Shane Romero Clarence Picou James Cottrell1 mile1:38.60$60,000III
1987On The Line Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 1 mile1:36.60$65,000III
1986SavingsPatrick JohnsonGary HartlageDiana & Keith Wiseman1 mile1:35.60$65,000III
1985 Creme Fraiche Randy Romero Woody Stephens Brushwood Stable 1 mile1:37.60$65,000III
1984 Devil's Bag Eddie Maple Woody Stephens Hickory Tree Stable 1 mile1:35.60$60,000
1983 Caveat Laffit Pincay Jr. Woody Stephens August Belmont IV 1 mile1:37.80$60,000
1982ListcapadeDarrell HaireDewey P. Smith Dorothy Dorsett Brown 1 mile1:36.20$50,000
1981What It Is Julio Espinoza Mark E. Casse Norman E. Casse7 fur.1:24.60$30,000
1980Royal Sporan Don Brumfield Don Jeffries Dan Logan7 fur.1:25.60$25,000
1979Dreamy ProspectRichard DePass Lyle Whiting Edwin Whittaker7 fur.1:24.40$28,166
1978Braze and Bold Jim McKnight Lyle Whiting Charles Viar7 fur.1:25.40$20,000
1977Kodiack Rudy L. Turcotte Harvey L. Vanier Louis F. Aitken7 fur.1:25.20$20,000
1976Justa Bad BoyWilliam GavidiaAnthony L. BasileEmil A. Dust1 mile1:38.00$20,000
1975Round Stake Michael Hole H. Allen Jerkens Hobeau Farm 1 mile1:36.40$20,000
1974Ga Hai Mike Manganello Gene ClevelandLaguna Seca Ranch1 mile1:38.00$20,000
1973Settecento Larry Adams Lefty Nickerson Martin J. Wygod 1 mile1:37.00$15,000
1972 Key to the Mint Braulio Baeza J. Elliott Burch Rokeby Stables 1 mile1:36.20$15,000
1971Vegas Vic Howard Grant Randy SechrestSechrest & Fritz1 mile1:37.00$20,000
1970Admiral's Shield Jimmy Nichols Harvey L. Vanier William C. Robinson Jr.1 mile1:37.20$15,000
1969 Ack Ack Manuel Ycaza Frank A. Bonsal Cain Hoy Stable 1 mile1:34.40$15,000
1968Proper Proof Johnny Sellers Jim MosbacherMrs. Montgomery Fisher1 mile1:36.00$15,000
1967Barbs Delight Bill Hartack Hal SteeleHuguelet Jr. et al.1 mile1:35.40$15,000
1966Exhibitionist Eddie Belmonte Hirsch Jacobs Ethel D. Jacobs 1 mile1:36.00$25,000
1965 Bold Lad Bill Hartack William C. Winfrey Wheatley Stable 1 mile1:35.20$17,500
1964 Hill Rise Bill Shoemaker William B. Finnegan El Peco Ranch 1 mile1:35.20$15,000
1963Bonjour Bill Shoemaker Hirsch Jacobs Patrice Jacobs 1 mile1:36.40$15,000
1962 Roman Line Jimmy Combest Vester R. Wright T. Alie Grissom1 mile1:37.20$15,000
1961Crozier Braulio Baeza Charles R. Parke Fred W. Hooper 1 mile1:34.60$15,000
1960 Beau Purple Eric Guerin George P. Odom Jack Dreyfus 1 mile1:35.60$15,000
1959Open View (1st) Karl Korte Raymond F. MetcalfElkcam Stable1 mile1:35.60$15,000
1959 First Landing (2nd) Eddie Arcaro Casey Hayes Meadow Stable 1 mile1:36.20$15,000
1958 Tim Tam Ismael Valenzuela Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:39.20$15,000
1957Federal HillWillie CarstensMilton RieserClifford Lussky1 mile1:36.20$15,000
1956 Fabius Bill Hartack Horace A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:36.60$15,000
1955Flying Fury Conn McCreary Loyd Gentry Jr. Cain Hoy Stable 1 mile1:38.00$15,000
1954 Hasty Road John H. Adams Harry Trotsek Hasty House Farm 1 mile1:35.00$15,000
1953 Dark Star Henry E. Moreno Eddie Hayward Cain Hoy Stable 1 mile1:36.00$15,000
1952 Hill Gail Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:35.40$15,000
1951Fanfare Douglas Dodson Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:36.60$15,000
1950Black George Eric Nelson Raymond BarnettWilliam H. Veeneman1 mile1:38.00$10,000
1949 Olympia Eddie Arcaro Ivan H. Parke Fred W. Hooper 1 mile1:37.40$12,500
1948 Citation Eddie Arcaro Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:37.40$10,000
1947 Faultless Douglas Dodson Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:37.60$10,000
1946Rippey Ferril Zufelt Edward L. Snyder William G. Helis 1 mile1:40.20$10,000
1945Burning Dream Douglas Dodson James W. Smith Edward R. Bradley 1 mile1:38.20$5,000
1944Broadcloth Ferril Zufelt Charles T. Leavitt Mrs. George Poulsen1 mile1:37.20$4,500
1943Ocean Wave Wendell Eads Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 1 mile1:38.20$2,500
1942Valdina Orphan Carroll Bierman Frank Catrone Valdina Farms 1 mile1:36.80$2,500
1941Blue Pair Harry Richards Willie Crump Vera S. Bragg 1 mile1:36.60$2,500
1940 Bimelech Fred A. Smith William A. Hurley Edward R. Bradley 1 mile1:38.00$2,500
1939Viscounty Carroll Bierman John J. Flanigan Valdina Farms 1 mile1:38.40$2,500
1938The Chief George Woolf Earl Sande Col. Maxwell Howard1 mile1:35.80$2,500
1937Dellor Basil James John Milton GoodeJames W. Parrish1 mile1:38.20$1,500
1936He Did Charley Kurtsinger J. Thomas Taylor Suzanne Mason 1 mile1:37.40$1,100
1935Whiskolo Willie Garner Robert McGarvey Milky Way Farm Stable 1 mile1:37.80$1,100
1934 Peace Chance Wayne Wright Pete Coyne Joseph E. Widener 1 mile1:35.80$800
1933 Head Play Herb Fisher Willie Crump Ruth Crump 1 mile1:39.40$800
1932Adobe PostCharles LandoltC. E. GrossKnebelkamp & Morris1 mile1:38.80$1,200
1931Boys HowdyGilbert Riley Loyd Gentry Sr. Harry C. Hatch 1 mile1:38.20$2,000
1930Uncle LutherRobert CreeseRobert L. StiversLuther Stivers1 mile1:41.80$1,500
1929Windy City Earl L. Pool Mose LowensteinFred Grabner1 mile1:42.20$1,500
1928Race not held
1927Rolled StockingWillie PoolCharles C. Van MeterJames W. Parrish1 mile1:38.60$1,500
1926Rhinock Mack Garner William D. CovingtonMrs. George B. Cox1 mile1:39.00$2,000
1925Kentucky Cardinal Mack Garner Mose F. ShapoffG. Frank Croissant1 mile1:38.80$2,000
1924 Black Gold J. D. Mooney Hanley Webb Rosa M. Hoots1 mile1:37.80$2,000

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmont Stakes</span> American stakes race for Thoroughbreds, part of the Triple Crown

The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is run over the worldwide classic distance of 1+12 miles. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds (57 kg); fillies carry 121 pounds (55 kg). The race, nicknamed The Test of the Champion, The Test of Champions and The Run for the Carnations, is the traditional third and final leg of the Triple Crown. It is usually held on the first or second Saturday in June, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. The 1973 Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown winner Secretariat holds the track record of 2:24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Oaks</span> American Thoroughbred stakes horse race

The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1+18 miles (1,800 m) at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds (55 kg). The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year. The winner gets $846,300 of the $1,500,000 purse, and a large garland blanket of lilies, resulting in the nickname "Lillies for the Fillies." A silver Kentucky Oaks Trophy is presented to the winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citation (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Citation was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the eighth winner of the American Triple Crown. He won 16 consecutive stakes races and was the first horse in history to win US$1 million.

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

Smarty Jones is a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and came second in the Belmont Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Prospector</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Mr. Prospector was a Thoroughbred racehorse who became an outstanding breeding stallion and notable sire of sires. A sprinter whose career was cut short by repeated injuries, he won seven of his 14 starts, including the Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Whirlaway Handicap at Garden State Park.

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

Native Dancer, nicknamed the Gray Ghost, was one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbred racehorses in American history and was the first horse made famous through the medium of television. He was a champion in each of his three years of racing, and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1963. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, he was ranked seventh.

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

Count Fleet was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the sixth winner of the American Triple Crown. He won the Belmont Stakes by a then record margin of twenty-five lengths. After an undefeated season, he was named the 1943 Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old. Also a champion at age two, he is ranked as one of the greatest American racehorses of the twentieth century, ranking fifth on the Bloodhorse magazine's listing. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1961.

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

Whirlaway was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the fifth winner of the American Triple Crown. He also won the Travers Stakes after his Triple Crown sweep to become the first and only horse to win all four races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horace A. Jones</span> American horse trainer

Horace A. "Jimmy" Jones was an American thoroughbred horse trainer.

Pensive was a bright chestnut Thoroughbred racehorse that in 1944 won the first two legs of the U.S. Triple Crown. Pensive also began only the second sire line "hat trick" in the Kentucky Derby, as his son Ponder won the 1949 Derby, and Ponder's son Needles won the 1956 edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Given</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1988–2023)

Point Given was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2001 American Horse of the Year. That year, he won the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Haskell Invitational, and Travers Stakes, becoming the first horse ever to win four $1 million races in a row. The only time he finished out of the money was in the 2001 Kentucky Derby, where he ran fifth. Point Given was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Grey Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. A Grade III, it is open to two-year-old horses and is raced on dirt at a distance of 1+116 miles. Since 2006, the dirt racing surface at Woodbine Racetrack has been the synthetic Polytrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conn McCreary</span> American jockey and horse trainer

Conn N. McCreary was a United States Hall of Fame jockey and trainer in Thoroughbred horse racing who won four American Classic Races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)</span> American Thoroughbred horse racing honor for winning three specific stakes races as a three-year-old

In the United States, the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, commonly known as the Triple Crown, is a series of horse races for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. The three races were inaugurated in different years, the last being the Kentucky Derby in 1875. The Triple Crown Trophy, commissioned in 1950 but awarded to all previous winners as well as those after 1950, is awarded to a horse who wins all three races and is thereafter designated as a Triple Crown winner. The races are traditionally run in May and early June of each year, although global events have resulted in schedule adjustments, such as in 1945 and 2020.

Ponder was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Kentucky Derby in 1949.

Fabius was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from 1955 through 1957, he ran sixty-two times and won eighteen races. He is best known for his performances in the 1956 Triple Crown: after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. he won the Preakness Stakes and finished third in the Belmont Stakes.

Hasty Road (1951–1978) was an American thoroughbred racehorse which won the 1954 Preakness Stakes. In 1953, Hasty Road won six of his nine races including the Arlington Futurity and the Washington Park Futurity, and set a record for prize money won by a two-year-old. In 1954 Hasty Road defeated Determine in track record time in the Derby Trial and then finished second to the same horse in the Kentucky Derby. At Pimlico Race Course in May, he recorded his most important victory when winning the Preakness Stakes by a neck from Correlation. The rest of his three-year-old campaign wasn't as good, but he returned to form to win the Widener Handicap in February 1955 before his racing career was ended by injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shackleford (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Shackleford is a chestnut Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2011 Preakness Stakes. He also finished second in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and won the Metropolitan Handicap and Clark Handicap in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oxbow (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Oxbow, an American Thoroughbred racehorse, is best known for winning the second jewel in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, the 2013 Preakness Stakes. A bay colt, sired by a winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic and out of a full sister to another Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Oxbow was sold as a yearling at Keeneland for $250,000 and is owned by Brad Kelley of Calumet Farm. He was trained by D. Wayne Lukas and was ridden in his Triple Crown races by Gary Stevens.

The Walden Stakes is a discontinued Thoroughbred horse race run from 1906 through 1948 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Raced on dirt, the event was open to two-year-olds horses of either sex. The race was named in honor of Maryland-based trainer and owner Wyndham Walden, a Hall of Fame inductee who won eleven American Classic Races, capturing the Preakness Stakes seven times and the Belmont Stakes four times.

References