Apple Blossom Handicap
The Apple Blossom Handicap is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years old or older, run under handicap conditions over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt track held annually in April at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The 2022 running carried a purse of $1,000,000.
| Grade I race | |
| Location | Oaklawn Park Hot Springs, Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1958 (as Apple Blossom Purse) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies & Mares, four-years-old and older |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $1,000,000 (2022) |
History
The race over the years has become the premier event for distaffers in the Spring, however its beginnings were inconsistent and were far from what we see today.
Nonetheless, the inaugural running was on 21 March 1958, as the Apple Blossom Purse, for horses three-years-old or older over the current distance and was won by the three year old colt Count De Blanc in a time of 1:432⁄5.[1] The event at that time was a preparatory event for the Arkansas Derby because in his next start Count De Blanc duly proceeded to win that event. The current preparatory event for the Arkansas Derby is the Rebel Stakes but that event was not first run until 1962.
The event was not held again until 1963. Oaklawn Park acknowledges in their records that the event was won by Verna Lea Farm's four year old Submerge.[2] Outside resources indicate that the event was held on 6 March 1963 as a claiming race for horses four years old or older over a distance of six furlongs.[3] The event again was idle until 1968 when it was held as the Apple Blossom Purse for three year olds and older.[4] The following year in 1969 the event was held as the Apple Blossom Handicap.[5]
In 1973 the administration of Oaklawn Park modified the conditions of the event to allow only for fillies and mares that are four years old or older to start.[6]
In 1975 the distance of the event was increased to one mile and seventy yards. That year the Champion Susan's Girl won the event in her only visit to the track in her 63 race career.[7] The win would bring her career winnings to close to the record $1 million which would be first for a US filly or mare.[8]
The American Graded Stakes Committee in 1977 upgraded the event to Grade III status and in quick succession upgraded it again to Grade II the following year.[9]
In 1980 the distance of the event was increased slightly by 40 yards to one and one-sixteenth miles.[9] The purse for the event had risen substantially to over $200,000 by 1981 and with the best female competitors entering the event the status of the race had been set at Grade I.[9]
The list of champions who had won the event in the 20th century was impressive, includes: Susan's Girl, Canadian champion Northernette, Track Robbery, North Sider, Argentine bred Bayakoa, Paseana from Argentina who won the event twice and was third as an eight-year-old in 1995 to the 1994 US Three-Year-Old Champion filly Heavenly Prize, Escena and Banshee Breeze.
In the 2000s Allen E. Paulson's Champion mare Azeri won the event for a record three times becoming the US Horse of the Year of 2002, and the US Champion Older Female Horse three years running: 2002, 2003, and 2004. In her honor Oaklawn Park in 2005 renamed the Oaklawn Breeders' Cup Stakes to the Azeri Stakes.[10]
The champion mare Zenyatta won the event twice (2008, 2010) during her phenomenal nineteen race winning streak. In 2010 Oaklawn Park president Charles J. Cella was negotiating with the owners of the two top females in U.S. racing in 2009, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta to have a purse of $5 million if both horses were to start.[11] However, the day after a loss by Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds her connections announced that she would not run in the Apple Blossom.
The 2019 winner Midnight Bisou continued winning four more events before finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Park. Nonetheless, her record during the year was strong enough to have her crowned US Champion Older Female Horse for the year.
The prize money of the event was scheduled to increase from $750,000 to $1,000,000 in 2020 but was reduced to $600,000 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States reducing fan attendance. In 2021, the purse was increased to $1,000,000 to attract champions Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver.
Records
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:40.29 Heatherten (1984) (New race and track record)
- 1 mile and 70 yards – 1:40.60 Summertime Promise (1976)
Margins:
- 6+1⁄2 lengths – By Land by Sea (1988)
Most wins:
- 3 – Azeri (2002, 2003, 2004)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 7 – Mike E. Smith (1994, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2019)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – William I. Mott (1984, 1985, 1998, 2014)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 – Allen E. Paulson (1998, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Blossom Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2022 | Letruska | 6 | José Ortiz | Fausto Gutierrez | St George Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.22 | $980,000 | I | [12] |
| 2021 | Letruska | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Fausto Gutierrez | St George Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.14 | $1,000,000 | I | [13] |
| 2020 | Ce Ce | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Michael W. McCarthy | Bo Hirsch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.14 | $600,000 | I | [14] |
| 2019 | Midnight Bisou | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Steven M. Asmussen | Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables & Allen Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.88 | $750,000 | I | [15] |
| 2018 | Unbridled Mo | 5 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Red Oak Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.94 | $700,000 | I | [16] |
| 2017 | Stellar Wind | 5 | Victor Espinoza | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.75 | $600,000 | I | [17] |
| 2016 | Forever Unbridled | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.08 | $600,000 | I | [18] |
| 2015 | Untapable | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.96 | $600,000 | I | [19] |
| 2014 | Close Hatches | 4 | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | Juddmonte Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.75 | $588,000 | I | [20] |
| 2013 | On Fire Baby | 4 | Joe M. Johnson | Gary G. Hartlage | Anita Cauley | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.13 | $500,000 | I | [21] |
| 2012 | Plum Pretty | 4 | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Peachtree Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.64 | $490,000 | I | [22] |
| 2011 | Havre de Grace | 4 | Ramon A. Dominguez | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.19 | $490,000 | I | [23] |
| 2010 | Zenyatta | 6 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.71 | $490,000 | I | [24] |
| 2009 | Seventh Street | 4 | Rajiv Maragh | Kiaran P. McLaughlin | Darley Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.13 | $490,000 | I | [25] |
| 2008 | Zenyatta | 4 | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.64 | $500,000 | I | [26] |
| 2007 | Ermine | 4 | Eddie Castro | Ronny W. Werner | Oxbow Racing | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.02 | $500,000 | I | [27] |
| 2006 | Spun Sugar | 4 | Michael J. Luzzi | Todd A. Pletcher | Stronach Stables | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.59 | $500,000 | I | [28] |
| 2005 | Dream of Summer | 6 | Pat Valenzuela | Juan J. Garcia | James Weigel | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.86 | $500,000 | I | [29] |
| 2004 | Azeri | 6 | Mike E. Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $500,000 | I | [30] |
| 2003 | Azeri | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $500,000 | I | [31] |
| 2002 | Azeri | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Laura de Seroux | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.75 | $500,000 | I | [32] |
| 2001 | § Gourmet Girl | 6 | Calvin H. Borel | Alcides Pico Perdomo | Gary A. Tanaka | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.15 | $500,000 | I | [33] |
| 2000 | Heritage of Gold | 5 | Shane Sellers | Thomas M. Amoss | Jack Garey | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.22 | $500,000 | I | [34] |
| 1999 | Banshee Breeze | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Carl A. Nafzger | Jayeff B. Stable & James B. Tafel | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.64 | $500,000 | I | [35] |
| 1998 | Escena | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.95 | $500,000 | I | [36] |
| 1997 | § Halo America | 7 | Calvin H. Borel | Bobby C. Barnett | John A. Franks | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $500,000 | I | [37] |
| 1996 | Twice the Vice | 5 | Chris McCarron | Ronald W. Ellis | Martin & Pam Wygod | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $500,000 | I | [38] |
| 1995 | Heavenly Prize | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | Ogden Phipps et al. | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $500,000 | I | [39] |
| 1994 | Nine Keys | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Angel A. Penna Jr. | Lazy F Ranch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $500,000 | I | [40] |
| 1993 | Paseana (ARG) | 6 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.80 | $500,000 | I | [41] |
| 1992 | Paseana (ARG) | 5 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $500,000 | I | [42] |
| 1991 | Degenerate Gal | 6 | Pat Day | Burk Kessinger Jr. | Ronald W. McDonald | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $500,000 | II | [43] |
| 1990 | Gorgeous | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Robert N. Clay | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.40 | $350,000 | II | [44] |
| 1989 | Bayakoa (ARG) | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Janis & Frank Whitham | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $250,000 | I | [45] |
| 1988 | By Land by Sea | 4 | Fernando Toro | Gary F. Jones | Gary F. Jones & Jayeff B. Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $250,000 | I | [46] |
| 1987 | § North Sider | 5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Paul Paternostro & D. Wayne Lukas | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $270,500 | I | [47] |
| 1986 | Love Smitten | 5 | Chris McCarron | Edwin J. Gregson | Gail & Del Chase | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.40 | $270,300 | I | [48] |
| 1985 | Sefa's Beauty | 6 | Pat Day | William I. Mott | Farid Sefa | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.20 | $269,500 | I | [49] |
| 1984 | Heatherten | 5 | Sam Maple | William I. Mott | John A. Franks | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.20 | $279,000 | I | [50] |
| 1983 | Miss Huntington | 6 | Jorge Velasquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.80 | $287,700 | I | [51] |
| 1982 | Track Robbery | 6 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert L. Wheeler | Summa Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.20 | $268,400 | I | [52] |
| 1981 | Bold 'n Determined | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Saron Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.20 | $219,700 | II | [53] |
| 1980 | Billy Jane | 4 | John Lively | Mitch Shirota | Albert A. Savill | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.60 | $177,150 | II | [54] |
| 1979 | Miss Baja | 4 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Lockhart Spears | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:43.00 | $178,000 | II | [55] |
| 1978 | Northernette (CAN) | 4 | Don Brumfield | Claude R. McGaughey III | Peter M. Brant | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.00 | $123,550 | II | [56] |
| 1977 | Hail Hilarious | 4 | Donald R. Pierce | Neil D. Drysdale | Saron Stable | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:41.40 | $137,150 | III | [57] |
| 1976 | Summertime Promise | 4 | Darrel G. McHargue | Jack Van Berg | Kenneth Opstein | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:40.60 | $59,600 | [58] | |
| 1975 | Susan's Girl | 6 | James D. Nichols | James L. Newman | Fred W. Hooper | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:42.40 | $61,200 | [8] | |
| 1974 | Big Dare | 4 | Bobby Ussery | Joseph P. Dorignac III | Joseph P. Dorignac Jr. | 6 furlongs | 1:11.80 | $31,750 | [59] | |
| 1973 | Levee Night | 5 | Danny Gargan | Roy T. Gillem | John T. Shouse | 6 furlongs | 1:11.00 | $20,000 | [60] | |
| 1972 | Plenty Old | 5 | Robert. L. Baird | Dewey P. Smith | Audley Farms | 6 furlongs | 1:09.60 | $20,000 | [61] | |
| 1971 | Sir Realist | 5 | Harlon Dalton | Olen Battles | Mrs. Herman Udouj | 6 furlongs | 1:10.20 | $20,000 | [62] | |
| 1970 | ♯§ Zuke's Bad Boy | 4 | Robert Mundorf | Robert L. Irwin | Marion Van Berg Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:11.00 | $15,000 | [63] | |
| 1969 | Jay Roam | 4 | Larry Snyder | Robert L. Irwin | Marion Van Berg Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:10.20 | $12,500 | [5] | |
| Apple Blossom Purse | ||||||||||
| 1968 | †Roman K | 4 | Hector Viera | Jean O. Brennan | Dr. Keith Knapp | 6 furlongs | 1:10.80 | $10,000 | 3YO+[4] | |
| 1964–1967 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1963 | Submerge | 4 | Danny Weiler | Arthur W. Beuzeville | Verna Lea Farm | 6 furlongs | 1:15.20 | $2,400 | ‡4YO+[3] | |
| 1959–1962 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 1958 | Count De Blanc | 3 | Johnny Sellers | Charles C. Norman | Charles W. & Jake H. Riedinger | 1 mile & 70 yards | 1:43.40 | $2,600 | 3YO+[1] | |
Legend:
Fillies and mares
Open company
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 1968 running Big Tim won the race but was disqualified to second after stewards ruled she had bumped and interfered with Roman K.
♯ In the 1970 running American Victory was first past the post but was disqualified by the stewards for interference on the fourth-place finisher Roaring Thunder after his jockey Louis Cacioppo lodged a complaint against Larry Snyder. Marion Van Berg's entry of Zuke's Bad Boy and Roaring Thunder was declared the winner and Royal Cap was moved to second. American Victory was moved to fourth.
‡ Claiming event
See also
External links
- Oaklawn Park Media Guide 2020
- Ten Things You Should Know About the Apple Blossom Handicap at Hello Race Fans!
References
- ^ a b "Oaklawn Park Results – (race 6: held 20 March 1958)". Cincinnati Enquirer. The Associated Press. 21 March 1958. p. 50. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2020 Oaklawn Park Media Guide" (PDF). Oaklawn Park. 2020. p. 88. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Oaklawn Park Results – (race 6: held 5 March 1963)". Lexington Herald. The Associated Press. 6 March 1963. p. 8. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Roman K. Wins Apple Blossom – (race 9: held 5 April 1968)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 6 April 1968. p. 6. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Big Oaklawn Crowd See Jim Roam Win – (race 9: held 4 April 1969)". Springfield News-Leader. The Associated Press. 5 April 1969. p. 12. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "APPLE BLOSSOM HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Susan's Girl". Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Susan's Girl near $1 million – (race 8: held 2 April 1975)". Chicago Tribune. United Press International. 3 April 1975. p. 52. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ a b c "Apple Blossom Handicap (Gr. 1)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "AZERI STAKES - OAKLAWN PARK, AR". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ Mary Rampellini (February 4, 2010). "Zenyatta, Rachel matchup worth $5M". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "2022 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 23 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "2021 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 11)". Equibase. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "2020 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2019 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2018 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2017 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2016 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2015 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2014 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2013 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2012 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2011 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2010 Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2009 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2008 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2007 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2006 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2005 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 11)". Equibase. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2004 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 April 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2003 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 April 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2002 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 11)". Equibase. 6 April 2002. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2001 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 April 2001. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "2000 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 April 2000. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1999 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 April 1999. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1998 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 April 1998. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1997 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 April 1997. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1996 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 April 1996. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1995 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 April 1995. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1994 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 April 1994. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1993 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 April 1993. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1992 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 April 1992. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "1991 Apple Blossom Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 April 1991. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ Rees, Jennie (19 April 1990). "Gorgeous stretch run beats Bayakoa – (race 9: held 18 April 1990)". The Courier-Journal. p. 53. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ West, Gary (20 April 1989). "Bayakoa wins Apple Blossom by four lengths – (race 9: held 19 April 1989)". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 42. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ West, Gary (21 April 1988). "By Land by Sea wins big in Apple Blossom Stakes – (race 9: held 20 April 1988)". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 45. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "By Land by Sea wins big in Apple Blossom Stakes – (race 9: held 15 April 1987)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 16 April 1987. p. 13. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Love Smitten wins Apple Blossom by a neck – (race 9: held 16 April 1986)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 17 April 1986. p. 53. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Day, Sefa's Beauty win Apple Blossom – (race 9: held 17 April 1985)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 18 April 1985. p. 53. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ West, Gary (19 April 1984). "Apple Blossom; Franks' Heatherten a winner again – (race 9: held 18 April 1984)". Shreveport Times. p. 21. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ West, Gary (14 April 1983). "Miss Huntington winner – (race 9: held 13 April 1983)". Shreveport Journal. p. 20. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Track Robbery wins Apple Blossom 'Cap – (race 9: held 7 April 1982)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 8 April 1982. p. 53. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Bold 'n Determined hangs on at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 8 April 1981)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 9 April 1981. p. 49. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Billy Jane captures Apple Blossom;... – (race 9: held 9 April 1980)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 10 April 1980. p. 53. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Baja upsets in Apple Blossom;... – (race 9: held 11 April 1979)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 12 April 1979. p. 48. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "...; Northernette wins at Oaklawn – (race 9: held 29 March 1978)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 30 March 1978. p. 40. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Hail Hilarious Wins Apple Blossom – (race 8: held 30 March 1977)". Lexington Herald. The Associated Press. 31 March 1977. p. 24. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Spa Special; 'Summertime' Wins Blossom – (race 8: held 30 March 1976)". Lexington Herald. The Associated Press. 1 April 1976. p. 35. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Big Dare Captures Apple Blossom Race – (race 8: held 3 April 1974)". Lexington Leader. United Press International. 4 April 1974. p. 25. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Levee Knight Tops Apple Blossom – (race 8: held 4 April 1973)". Springfield News-Leader. The Associated Press. 5 April 1973. p. 40. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Plenty Old Topples Favorites at Oaklawn – (race 8: held 31 March 1972)". Springfield News-Leader. The Associated Press. 1 April 1972. p. 40. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ "Sir Realist Tops Two in Oaklawn Thriller – (race 9: held 2 April 1971)". Springfield News-Leader. The Associated Press. 3 April 1971. p. 12. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Foul Decides Oaklawn Feature – (race 9: held 3 April 1970)". Springfield News-Leader. The Associated Press. 4 April 1970. p. 12. Retrieved 14 April 2021.