Wikipedia
Fair Grounds Stakes
The Fair Grounds Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older run over a distance of about 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) on the turf annually in mid-February at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. It currently offers a purse of $175,000.
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Fair Grounds Race Course New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1988 (as Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | Fair Grounds |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old & older |
| Weight | 124 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | $175,000 (since 2024) |
History edit
The event was inaugurated on 21 February 1988 as the featured tenth race called the Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup with sponsorship from Budweiser and the Breeders' Cup with handicap conditions for three-year-olds and older at the distance of about one and one-eighth miles.[1] The event was won by the Irish bred five-year-old Top Guest in a time of 1:541⁄5. Top Guest had previously won the Stockholm Cup International as a three-year-old.
Budweiser ceased their sponsorship in 1995 while the Breeders' Cup continued until 2006.[2]
The event was upgraded in 2006 to Grade III.[3] That same year, 2006, the event was moved to Louisiana Downs due to the after effects of Hurricane Katrina which damaged the Fair Grounds racetrack.[4]
Two horses have won the event three times. Yukon Gold won the event three consecutive times for in 1993 through 1995.[5] Yukon Gold's third victory was on dirt since the event was moved off the turf.[6] Mystery Giver also won the race three times, in 2002 through 2004.[7]
Originally a handicap, in 2020 the conditions of the event were changed to a stakes allowance race, thus changing the name of the event to Fair Grounds Stakes.
The event has been held in mid-February since 2010 as is part of Louisiana Derby Preview Day at the New Orleans racetrack.[8]
Records edit
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄8 miles – 1:47.29 Factor This (2020)
Margins:
- 5+1⁄2 lengths – Joyeux Danseur (1998)
Most wins:
- 3 - Yukon Gold (1993, 1994, 1995)
- 3 - Mystery Giver (2002, 2003, 2004)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - Robby Albarado (1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Hal Wiggins (1993, 1994, 1995)
- 3 - Richard R. Scherer (2002, 2003, 2004)
- 3 - Brad H. Cox (2015, 2016, 2020)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 - Team Block (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
Winners edit
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Fair Grounds – Fair Grounds Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Beatbox | 6 | Joel Rosario | Cherie DeVaux | Rob Comestro & Jeff Ganje | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.96 | $175,000 | III | [9] |
| 2023 | Two Emmys | 7 | James Graham | Hugh H. Robertson | Wolfe Racing & Hugh H. Robertson | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:54.73 | $145,500 | III | [10] |
| 2022 | Cavalry Charge | 5 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Dallas Stewart | West Point Thoroughbreds, William Sandbrook & Robert Masiello | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.06 | $150,000 | III | [11] |
| 2021 | Captivating Moon | 5 | Marcelino Pedroza | Chris Block | Lothenbach Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.27 | $150,000 | III | [12] |
| 2020 | Factor This | 5 | Shaun Bridgmohan | Brad H. Cox | Gaining Ground Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.29 | $150,000 | III | [13] |
| Fair Grounds Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2019 | Synchrony | 6 | Joe Bravo | Michael Stidham | Pin Oak Stable | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.09 | $150,000 | III | [14] |
| 2018 | Synchrony | 5 | Joe Bravo | Michael Stidham | Pin Oak Stable | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.82 | $150,000 | III | [15] |
| 2017 | Enterprising | 6 | Julien R. Leparoux | Michael J. Maker | Maxis Stable | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.80 | $122,500 | III | [16] |
| 2016 | Chocolate Ride | 6 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Wentworth Brochu | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.31 | $125,000 | III | [17] |
| 2015 | Chocolate Ride | 5 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | John Wentworth | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.84 | $125,000 | III | [18] |
| 2014 | Potomac River | 5 | Juan P. Vargas | Jose M. Camejo | Maribel Ruelas | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.52 | $147,000 | III | [19] |
| 2013 | Optimizer | 4 | Jon Court | D. Wayne Lukas | Calumet Farm | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:56.06 | $145,500 | III | [20] |
| 2012 | Smart Bid | 6 | Edgar S. Prado | H. Graham Motion | Augustin Stable | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.91 | $122,500 | III | [21] |
| 2011 | Expansion | 6 | Gerard Melancon | Steven M. Asmussen | Millennium Farms & Mike McCarty | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:54.94 | $125,000 | III | [22] |
| 2010 | Blues Street | 6 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Anstu Stables | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.71 | $100,000 | III | [23] |
| 2009 | Diamond Tycoon | 5 | Julien R. Leparoux | Andrew McKeever | Charlotte Musgrave | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.12 | $125,000 | III | [24] |
| 2008 | Daytona (IRE) | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Dan L. Hendricks | Jeff Davenport, Tom Lenner, Jess Ravich & Thomas W. Murray | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.09 | $140,000 | III | [25] |
| 2007 | Cloudy's Knight | 7 | Ramsey Zimmerman | James R. McMullen | S J Stables | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.48 | $198,500 | III | [26] |
| At Louisiana Downs | ||||||||||
| 2006 | Fort Prado | 6 | Robby Albarado | Jeff Trosclair | Team Block | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.16 | $189,800 | III | [27] |
| At Fair Grounds | ||||||||||
| 2005 | G P Fleet | 5 | Jose R. Martinez Jr. | Steven B. Flint | Richard, Bertram & Elaine Klein | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.79 | $125,000 | Listed | [28] |
| 2004 | Mystery Giver | 6 | Robby Albarado | Richard R. Scherer | Team Block | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.77 | $119,500 | Listed | [29] |
| 2003 | Mystery Giver | 5 | Robby Albarado | Richard R. Scherer | Team Block | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.41 | $150,000 | Listed | [30] |
| 2002 | Mystery Giver | 4 | Eddie Martin Jr. | Richard R. Scherer | Team Block | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.13 | $147,000 | Listed | [31] |
| 2001 | Candid Glen | 4 | Elvis Joseph Perrodin | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Glen C. Warren | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:54.03 | $154,349 | Listed | [32] |
| 2000 | Profit Option | 5 | Lonnie Meche | Kenneth E. Hoffman | Team Canonie, M. Conway & K. Hoffman | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.52 | $159,100 | Listed | [33] |
| 1999 | Aboriginal Apex | 6 | Larry Melancon | Niall M. O'Callaghan | Gary B. Knapp | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.71 | $150,000 | Listed | [34] |
| 1998 | Joyeux Danseur | 5 | Robby Albarado | Albert Stall Jr. | B. Wayne Hughes | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.60 | $125,000 | Listed | [35] |
| 1997 | Snake Eyes | 7 | Robby Albarado | Walter M. Bindner Jr. | Marco Bommarito | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.65 | $147,470 | Listed | [36] |
| 1996 | Born Wild | 4 | Mickey Walls | Daniel J. Vella | Frank H. Stronach | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.97 | $102,325 | Listed | [37] |
| 1995 | Yukon Robbery | 6 | Ricky Faul | Hal Wiggins | Thomas C. Mueller | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.50 | $101,975 | Listed | [6] |
| 1994 | Yukon Robbery | 5 | Ricky Faul | Hal Wiggins | Thomas C. Mueller | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.27 | $98,225 | Listed | [38] |
| 1993 | Yukon Robbery | 4 | Ricky Faul | Hal Wiggins | Thomas C. Mueller | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.60 | $77,400 | [39] | |
| 1992 | Rainbows for Life (CAN) | 4 | Shane Romero | James Day | Sam-Son Farm | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.00 | $77,800 | [40] | |
| 1991 | First Tea | 4 | Kenneth Bourque | Paul H. Murphy | David J. Hulkewicz | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.30 | $77,500 | [41] | |
| 1990 | Tower Above 'Em | 6 | Shane Romero | Joseph Y. Soileau | James Cassels | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:55.80 | $75,575 | [42] | |
| 1989 | Ingot's Ruler | 7 | Ronald Ardoin | Tommie T. Morgan | Mildred Fike | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.20 | $75,000 | [43] | |
| 1988 | Top Guest (IRE) | 5 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Timothy A. Koons | Dogwood Stable | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:54.20 | $65,000 | [44] | |
Legend:
Dirt Turf
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Fair Grounds Entries - TENTH RACE Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders Cup Stakes". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 21 February 1988. p. 47. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Stakes Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "FAIR GROUNDS HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ^ "Churchill, Horsemen Agree on 37-Day Meet in Louisiana". BloodHorse.com. Churchill Downs Inc. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Profile of Yukon Gold". equibase.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ a b "1995 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 1995. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Synchrony Seeks Hat Trick in Fair Grounds Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "Weekend Lineup: Risen Star Times Two". Paulick Report. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ "2024 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 12)". Equibase. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "2023Fair Grounds Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Nation Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ "2022 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ "2021 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2020 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2019 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2018 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2017 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2016 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2015 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2014 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2013 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2012 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2011 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2010 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2009 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2008 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2007 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2006 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 January 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2005 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 February 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2004 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 31 January 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2003 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 February 2003. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2002 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2001 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 February 2001. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "2000 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 5 February 2000. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1999 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 February 1999. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1998 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 February 1998. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1997 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 February 1997. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1996 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 February 1996. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1994 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 1994. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1993 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1992 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 1992. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "1991 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type - (race 10)". Equibase. 17 February 1991. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Tower Above 'Em does just that in Budweiser Cup – (race 10: held 11 February 1990)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 12 February 1990. p. 9. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Budweiser Breeders – (race 9: held 12 February 1989)". New York Daily News. The Associated Press. 13 February 1989. p. 243. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Fair Grounds hits $2 million — twice – (race 10: held 21 February 1988)". Shreveport Times. The Associated Press. 22 February 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 10 February 2021.