Grade III race | |
Location | Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, United States |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1983 |
Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
Website | www |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 mile |
Surface | Dirt |
Track | left-handed |
Qualification | Three-year-old fillies |
Weight | 124 lbs with allowances[1] |
Purse | $100,000 (since 2024) |
The Las Virgenes Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies over the distance of one mile on the dirt scheduled annually in late January or early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $100,000.
History
[edit]The event was named after the Rancho Las Virgenes land grant in the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills. The event was inaugurated on 26 February 1983 with Saucy Bobbie victorious, who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. and trained by US Hall of Fame trainer Lazaro S. Barrera in a time of 1:361⁄5.[2]
The event was scheduled in Southern California as a natural progression for three-year-old fillies with the Santa Ynez Stakes over 7 furlongs in January, Las Virgenes Stakes over one mile in February and the Santa Susana Stakes, later renamed as the Santa Anita Oaks over 1+1⁄16 miles in March.
Althea, winner of the second running in 1984[3] later that spring became the first filly to win the Arkansas Derby.[4]
The event was upgraded to Grade III in 1985.[5] The winner that year was Fran's Valentine who was first over the line in her first race, the inaugural 1984 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Hollywood Park but was disqualified and place tenth.[6] With the obvious quality of the runners in 1987 the event was upgraded to Grade II and the following year in 1988 the event reached Grade I status.[5]
The event has produced an outstanding number of fillies that have gone on to be champions both in their sophomore year and even later to become Champions winning Breeders' Cup events.
These include Goodbye Halo and Lite Light who went on to win the Kentucky Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks. Serena's Song went on to defeat colts in the Jim Beam Stakes and Haskell Invitational Handicap en route to becoming US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly for 1995. The 2000 winner Surfside defeated older horses in the Grade II Clark Handicap also capturing US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly honors. The 2007 winner Rags to Riches became a US Classic winner when she won the Belmont Stakes and going on to capture US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly honors. The US Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Champion Beholder won this race and went on to win the 2013 Breeders' Cup Distaff and was named US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly that year.
In 2016 the event was downgraded to Grade II and again in 2021 to Grade III.[7]
The event is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Records
[edit]Speed record:
- 1:34.86 – Zazu (2011)
Margins:
- 13 lengths – Adare Manor (2022)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 – Corey Nakatani (1991, 1995, 1997, 2005)
- 4 – Gary Stevens (1987, 1992, 1993, 2014)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 8 – Bob Baffert (1999, 2003, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 – Robert & Beverly Lewis (1995, 2003, 2004)
- 3 – Spendthrift Farm (2013, 2015, 2021)
- 3 – Michael Lund Peterson (2022, 2023, 2024)
Las Virgenes Stakes – Santa Anita Oaks double:
- Althea †(1984), Fran's Valentine †(1985), Timely Assertion (1987), Lite Light (1991), Lakeway (1994), Serena's Song (1995), Antespend (1996), Sharp Cat (1997), Excellent Meeting (1999), Surfside (2000), Golden Ballet (2001), You (2002), Composure (2003), Balance (2006), Rags to Riches (2007), Stardom Bound (2009), Beholder (2013), Fashion Plate (2014), Songbird (2016), Bellafina (2019)
Notes:
† Santa Anita Oaks was known as the Santa Susana Stakes.
Winners
[edit]Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Kinza | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Peterson | 1 mile | 1:37.03 | $100,000 | III | [8] |
2023 | Faiza | Ramon Vazquez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Peterson | 1 mile | 1:38.46 | $200,500 | III | [9] |
2022 | Adare Manor | John Velazquez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Peterson | 1 mile | 1:37:11 | $196,000 | III | [10] |
2021 | Moonlight d'Oro | Flavien Prat | Richard E. Mandella | MyRacehorse & Spendthrift Farm | 1 mile | 1:38:01 | $200,000 | III | [11] |
2020 | Venetian Harbor | Flavien Prat | Richard Baltas | Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm & Domenic Savides | 1 mile | 1:37.51 | $200,000 | II | [12] |
2019 | Bellafina | Flavien Prat | Simon Callaghan | Kaleem Shah | 1 mile | 1:35.99 | $200,000 | II | [13] |
2018 | Dream Tree | Drayden Van Dyke | Bob Baffert | Phoenix Thoroughbred | 1 mile | 1:39.45 | $200,345 | II | [14] |
2017 | Unique Bella | Mike E. Smith | Jerry Hollendorfer | Don Alberto Stable | 1 mile | 1:35.66 | $196,000 | II | [15] |
2016 | Songbird | Mike E. Smith | Jerry Hollendorfer | Fox Hill Farms | 1 mile | 1:36.84 | $300,345 | II | [16] |
2015 | Callback | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Spendthrift Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.92 | $301,000 | I | [17] |
2014 | Fashion Plate | Gary L. Stevens | Simon Callaghan | Arnold Zetcher & Michael Tabor | 1 mile | 1:37.22 | $300,000 | I | [18] |
2013 | Beholder | Garrett K. Gomez | Richard E. Mandella | Spendthrift Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.14 | $250,750 | I | [19] |
2012 | Eden's Moon | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | 1 mile | 1:35.27 | $250,000 | I | [20] |
2011 | Zazu | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | Ann & Jerry Moss | 1 mile | 1:34.86 | $250,000 | I | [21] |
2010 | Blind Luck | Rafael Bejarano | Jerry Hollendorfer | Mark DeDomenico, John Carver & Jerry Hollendorfer | 1 mile | 1:35.98 | $250,000 | I | [22] |
2009 | Stardom Bound | Mike E. Smith | Robert J. Frankel | IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr., Michael Dubb & Golden Goose Ent. | 1 mile | 1:36.43 | $300,000 | I | [23] |
2008 | Golden Doc A | Rafael Bejarano | Barry Abrams | Ron McCauley | 1 mile | 1:35.86 | $250,000 | I | [24] |
2007 | Rags to Riches | Garrett K. Gomez | Michael W. McCarthy | Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor | 1 mile | 1:37.85 | $250,000 | I | [25] |
2006 | Balance | Victor Espinoza | David E. Hofmans | Amerman Racing | 1 mile | 1:36.54 | $250,000 | I | [26] |
2005 | Sharp Lisa | Corey Nakatani | Doug F. O'Neill | J. Paul Reddam, Suarez Racing & Mark Schlesinger | 1 mile | 1:35.64 | $250,000 | I | [27] |
2004 | A. P. Adventure | Alex O. Solis | Wallace Dollase | Robert & Beverly Lewis | 1 mile | 1:36.50 | $250,000 | I | [28] |
2003 | Composure | Jerry D. Bailey | Bob Baffert | Robert & Beverly Lewis | 1 mile | 1:36.13 | $200,000 | I | [29] |
2002 | You | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 1 mile | 1:38.84 | $200,000 | I | [30] |
2001 | Golden Ballet | Chris McCarron | Jenine Sahadi | Team Valor & Heiligbrodt Racing Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.89 | $200,000 | I | [31] |
2000 | Surfside | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 1 mile | 1:37.00 | $196,000 | I | [32] |
1999 | Excellent Meeting | Kent J. Desormeaux | Bob Baffert | Golden Eagle Farm | 1 mile | 1:35.35 | $200,000 | I | [33] |
1998 | Keeper Hill | David R. Flores | Robert J. Frankel | Dr. John A. Chandler | 1 mile | 1:36.94 | $200,000 | I | [34] |
1997 | Sharp Cat | Corey Nakatani | D. Wayne Lukas | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1 mile | 1:35.52 | $158,800 | I | [35] |
1996 | Antespend | Chris Antley | Ron McAnally | Jack Kent Cooke | 1 mile | 1:36.45 | $156,900 | I | [36] |
1995 | Serena's Song | Corey Nakatani | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert & Beverly Lewis | 1 mile | 1:35.46 | $160,200 | I | [37] |
1994 | Lakeway | Kent J. Desormeaux | Gary F. Jones | Mike Rutherford | 1 mile | 1:35.14 | $161,100 | I | [38] |
1993 | Likeable Style | Gary L. Stevens | Richard E. Mandella | Golden Eagle Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.67 | $158,500 | I | [39] |
1992 | Magical Maiden | Gary L. Stevens | Warren Stute | Clement L. Hirsch | 1 mile | 1:36.23 | $164,300 | I | [40] |
1991 | Lite Light | Corey Nakatani | Henry Moreno | Jack L. Finley | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $161,300 | I | [41] |
1990 | Cheval Volant | Alex O. Solis | Kenneth J. Jumps | Kenneth J. Jumps, Steve Shapiro, David Stark & Bill Stratton | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | $134,400 | I | [42] |
1989 | Kool Arrival | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Melvin F. Stute | John Coelho, Phillip Fields & Peter Valenti | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $133,450 | I | [43] |
1988 | Goodbye Halo | Jorge Velasquez | Charles E. Whittingham | Arthur B. Hancock III | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $126,500 | I | [44] |
1987 | Timely Assertion | Gary L. Stevens | Henry Moreno | George Aubin | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $126,600 | II | [45] |
1986 | Life At The Top | Rafael Q. Meza | D. Wayne Lukas | Lloyd R. French Jr. & Eugene V. Klein | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $131,050 | III | [46] |
1985 | Fran's Valentine | Pat Valenzuela | Joseph Manzi | Green Thumb Farm Stable | 1 mile | 1:36.40 | $133,650 | III | [47] |
1984 | Althea | Laffit Pincay Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | David Aykroyd, Helen Alexander & Helen Groves | 1 mile | 1:37.00 | $86,600 | Listed | [3] |
1983 | Saucy Bobbie | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Leslie Combs II & Francis Kernan | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | $83,850 | [2] |
Legend:
All Weather Track
Dirt
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Chart of the 2020 Las Virgenes". Equibase. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Santa Anita Park Charts (1983 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 26 February 1983)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 27 February 1983. p. 52. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Althea wins by nose in Las Virgenes Stakes (1984 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 25 February 1984)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 26 February 1984. p. 34. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ Wall, Maryjean (2016). "Consummate Horsewoman" (PDF). Keeneland.com. p. 46. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Stakes profile". Equibase. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ Christine, Bill (25 March 1985). "Finally, Earl Scheib Has a Reason to Paint the Town : His Filly, Fran's Valentine, Wins in Santa Susana Stakes by 2 1/2 Lengths Before 66,883 By". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
- ^ "LAS VIRGENES STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2024 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 3 - (race 2)". Equibase. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "2023 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 3 - (race 2)". Equibase. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "2022 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ "2020 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 3 - Race 3". www.equibase.com. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "2020 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2019 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2018 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2017 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2016 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2015 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2014 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2013 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2012 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2011 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2010 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2009 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2008 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2007 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2006 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 February 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2005 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 February 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2004 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 2004. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2003 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 2003. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2002 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 February 2002. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2001 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 February 2001. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "2000 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 12 February 2000. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1999 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 13 February 1999. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1998 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1997 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 1997. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1996 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 February 1996. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1995 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 February 1995. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1994 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 February 1994. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1993 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1992 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 February 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "1991 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 February 1991. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ Mieszerski, Bob (25 February 1990). "Cheval Volant First, ... (1990 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 24 February 1990)". Los Angeles Times. p. 97. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ Christine, Bill (19 February 1989). "Kool Arrival Wins to, ... (1989 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 18 February 1989)". Los Angeles Times. p. 71. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ Christine, Bill (21 February 1988). "Match Is Perfect: Goodbye Halo Finishes on Top (1988 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 20 February 1988)". Los Angeles Times. p. 60. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Blinkers Make Difference for Timely Assertion, Very Subtle (1987 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 21 February 1987)". Los Angeles Times. 22 February 1987. p. 124. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Lukas fillies finish 1-2 in Las Virgenes Stakes (1986 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 1 March 1986)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 2 March 1986. p. 124. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Fran's Valentine Beats a Jinx in Winning Las Virgenes Stakes (1985 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 2 March 1985)". Los Angeles Times. 3 March 1985. p. 48. Retrieved 1 February 2021.