| Class | Stakes race |
|---|---|
| Location | Benning Race Track, Deanwood, Washington, D. C., United States |
| Inaugurated | 1899-1908 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 4½ furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds |
The Washington Nursery Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horserace held from 1905 through 1908 at Benning Race Track in the Deanwood section of Washington, D.C. [1]
In 1908, the United States Congress banned horse racing in the District of Columbia. The Benning Race Track shut done forever after it hosted what would be its last day of racing on April 12. [2]
While a short-lived race ended beyond the control of the racetrack’s owners, a “Nursery” race in the early part of the year is important to racetracks in order to give new and existing owners and trainers a chance to not only earn prize money, but to size up the competition for the coming year’s racing while comparative testing as to how their horses adapt to that particular track’s racing surface.
1907 winner Billie Hibbs was named by owner George Howard to honor William Beale Hibbs, founder of William B. Hibbs & Co. brokerage firm who was a member of the Executive Committee of the Washington Jockey Club and well connected in Federal political circles. [3]
Speed record:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (Miles) | Time | Win$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | Personal | 2 | Joe McCahey | James McLaughlin | James McLaughlin | 4½ f | 0:57.20 | $1,440 |
| 1907 | Billie Hibbs | 2 | Louis A. Smith | William M. Garth | George Howard | 4½ f | 0:57.60 | $1,390 |
| 1906 | Curriculum | 2 | Charles Morris | John Whalen | August Belmont Jr. | 4½ f | 0:57.40 | $1,330 |
| 1905 | Oaklawn | 2 | Tommy Burns | John Whalen | August Belmont Jr. | 4½ f | 0:56.40 | $1,210 |