Wikipedia
Fleur de Lis Stakes
The Fleur de Lis Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt run annually in mid-June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1975 (as Fleur de Lis Handicap) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies & Mares, three-years-old and older |
| Weight | 124 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | US$400,000 (2023) |
| Bonuses | Winner automatic entry into Breeders' Cup Distaff |
History Edit
The event was inaugurated on 31 May 1975 as the Fleur de Lis Handicap and was won by the favorite Bundler defeating four other runners on a sloppy track in the time of 1:392⁄5 over the mile distance.[1] The event was held over the same distance for one more year before being extended to 1+1⁄16 miles.[2]
The event is named after the English translation for the French "fleur-de-lis", a flower of the lily. The lily is the symbol of the Louisville flag, the location where the event is held. The lily has traditionally been used to represent French royalty and Louisville, named for the French king Louis XVI.[3]
In 1983 the distance for the event was increased to 1+1⁄8 miles.[2]
The event's condition from 1983–85 and 1987–89 was for four-year-olds & older.[3]
The event was upgraded to Grade III in 1988 and again to Grade II in 2002.[4]
Since 2015 the event has been a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You’re In" for the Distaff Division.[3]
The event has gained status over the recent years and has attracted some fine horses including the 2009 US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra who easily won the race as a short favorite by the near stakes record of 10+1⁄2 lengths.[5]
In 2023 the event was moved to Ellis Park after Churchill Downs closed their spring meeting earlier due to a spate of injuries. [6]
Records Edit
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:48.26 – Heritage of Gold (2000)
- Margins
- 11 lengths – Lt. Lao (1988)
- Most wins
- 2 – Likely Exchange (1978, 1980)
- Most wins by a jockey
- 3 – Shane Sellers (1995, 1998, 2000)
- 3 – Calvin H. Borel (1997, 2009, 2010)
- 3 – José Ortiz (2018, 2019, 2021)
- 3 – Joel Rosario (2013, 2017, 2023)
- Most wins by a trainer
- 4 – William I. Mott (1984, 1998, 2012, 2019)
Winners Edit
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Ellis Park – Fleur de Lis Stakes | ||||||||||
| 2023 | Pauline's Pearl | 5 | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.59 | $367,000 | II | [7] |
| At Churchill Downs | ||||||||||
| 2022 | Shedaresthedevil | 5 | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | Whisper Hill Farm, Qatar Racing & Flurry Racing Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.17 | $345,000 | II | [8] |
| 2021 | Letruska | 5 | Jose L. Ortiz | Fausto Gutierrez | St George Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.57 | $300,000 | II | [9] |
| 2020 | Midnight Bisou | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Steven M. Asmussen | Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables & Allen Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.99 | $200,000 | II | [10] |
| Fleur de Lis Handicap | ||||||||||
| 2019 | Elate | 5 | José L. Ortiz | William I. Mott | Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50:33 | $250,000 | II | [11] |
| 2018 | Blue Prize (ARG) | 5 | José L. Ortiz | Ignacio Correas IV | Merriebelle Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50:02 | $200,000 | II | [12] |
| 2017 | Forever Unbridled | 5 | Joel Rosario | Dallas Stewart | Charles E. Fipke | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.94 | $200,000 | II | [13] |
| 2016 | Paid Up Subscriber | 4 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Albert Stall Jr. | Klaravitch Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.44 | $200,000 | II | [14] |
| 2015 | Frivolous | 5 | Jon Court | Victoria H. Oliver | G. Watts Humphrey Jr. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.22 | $200,000 | II | [15] |
| 2014 | Molly Morgan | 5 | Corey J. Lanerie | Dale L. Romans | William D. Cubbedge | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.11 | $216,200 | II | [16] |
| 2013 | Funny Proposition | 4 | Joel Rosario | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.22 | $186,375 | II | [17] |
| 2012 | Royal Delta | 4 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Besilu Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.49 | $161,700 | II | [18] |
| 2011 | Race not held | |||||||||
| 2010 | Rachel Alexandra | 4 | Calvin H. Borel | Steven M. Asmussen | Jess Jackson | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.87 | $214,000 | II | [5] |
| 2009 | Miss Isella | 4 | Calvin H. Borel | Ian R. Wilkes | Domino Stud | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.59 | $221,600 | II | [19] |
| 2008 | Hystericalady | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | Jerry Hollendorfer | Rancho San Miguel, Tom Clark, George Todaro & Jerry Hollendorfer | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.88 | $321,900 | II | [20] |
| 2007 | Indian Vale | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Melnyk Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.12 | $327,600 | II | [21] |
| 2006 | Happy Ticket | 5 | Julien R. Leparoux | Andrew Leggio Jr. | Stewart Madison | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.23 | $321,900 | II | [22] |
| 2005 | Two Trail Sioux | 4 | Pat Day | Wallace Dollase | Don Winton & John D. Gunther | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.53 | $330,000 | II | [23] |
| 2004 | Adoration | 5 | Victor Espinoza | David E. Hofmans | Amerman Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.15 | $439,200 | II | [24] |
| 2003 | You | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.12 | $327,900 | II | [25] |
| 2002 | Spain | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | D. Wayne Lukas | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.64 | $329,400 | II | [26] |
| 2001 | Saudi Poetry | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.27 | $333,000 | III | [27] |
| 2000 | Heritage of Gold | 5 | Shane Sellers | Thomas M. Amoss | Jack Garey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.26 | $324,600 | III | [28] |
| 1999 | Banshee Breeze | 4 | Robby Albarado | Carl A. Nafzger | Jayeff B. Stable & James B. Tafel | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.02 | $309,333 | III | [29] |
| 1998 | Escena | 5 | Shane Sellers | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.19 | $321,000 | III | [30] |
| 1997 | Gold n Delicious | 4 | Calvin H. Borel | Bobby C. Barnett | John A. Franks | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.87 | $168,900 | III | [31] |
| 1996 | Serena's Song | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert & Beverly Lewis | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.30 | $168,450 | III | [32] |
| 1995 | Fit to Lead | 5 | Shane Sellers | Richard E. Mandella | Jim Colbert, Randall D. Hubbard, Connie Sczesney | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.59 | $164,700 | III | [33] |
| 1994 | Trishyde | 5 | Chris McCarron | Jules Vogel | B. Wayne Hughes | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.34 | $165,100 | III | [34] |
| 1993 | Quilma (CHI) | 6 | Randy Romero | Claude R. McGaughey III | Tri-Honors Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.80 | $109,600 | III | [35] |
| 1992 | Bungalow | 5 | Francisco C. Torres | Harvey L. Vanier | Nancy A. Vanier | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.87 | $115,100 | III | [36] |
| 1991 | Maskra's Lady | 4 | Joe M. Johnson | Gary G. Hartlage | Max Wilson, Freireich & Greene | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.46 | $113,100 | III | [37] |
| 1990 | A Penny Is a Penny | 5 | Aaron Gryder | Steven L. Morguelan | David Levitch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.20 | $109,200 | III | [38][3] |
| 1989 | Stoneleigh's Hope | 4 | Joseph Deegan | Michael H. Bell | Lockhart Spears | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.60 | $109,900 | III | [39][3] |
| 1988 | Lt. Lao | 4 | Don Brumfield | James M. Eakins | Robert Keller | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.60 | $115,150 | III | [40] |
| 1987 | Infinidad (CHI) | 5 | Mickey Solomone | Dewey Smith | Arthur Hancock III | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.60 | $103,100 | [41][3] | |
| 1986 | Queen Alexandra | 4 | Don Brumfield | George M. Baker | Mrs. Morton Rosenthal | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.20 | $101,250 | [42][3] | |
| 1985 | Straight Edition | 5 | Charles R. Woods Jr. | Michael B. Ball | Donamire Farm (Don & Mira Ball) | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.80 | $55,550 | [43][3] | |
| 1984 | Heatherten | 5 | Sam Maple | William I. Mott | John A. Franks | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.40 | $54,205 | [44] | |
| 1983 | Try Something New | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | John A. Bell III | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.60 | $54,350 | [45][3] | |
| 1982 | Classic Ambition | 4 | William Gavidia | Claude R. McGaughey III | Latour Farms | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.80 | $57,950 | [46][3] | |
| 1981 | Forever Cordial | 4 | Darrell Haire | John T. Ward Jr. | John C. Oxley | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.40 | $35,700 | [47][3] | |
| 1980 | Likely Exchange | 6 | Mark S. Sellers | Thomas H. Stevens Sr. | G. Watts Humphrey Jr. & Pamela Firman | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.00 | $35,425 | [48][3] | |
| 1979 | Table the Rumor | 5 | David E. Whited | Frank L. Brothers | Albert M. Stall Sr. | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.20 | $35,175 | [49][3] | |
| 1978 | Likely Exchange | 4 | James McKnight | Thomas H. Stevens Sr. | Mrs. George Humphrey | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.40 | $21,375 | [50][3] | |
| 1977 | Go On Dreaming | 5 | Paul Nicolo | James E. Morgan | G. A. Zimmerman & E. J. Zweisler | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.80 | $22,125 | [51][3] | |
| 1976 | Pago Hop | 4 | Eddie Arroyo | John Oxley | Raymond Salmen | 1 mile | 1:38.40 | $21,625 | [52][3] | |
| 1975 | Bundler | 4 | Jimmy Nichols | Anthony L. Basile | Bwamazon Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.40 | $22,325 | [1] | |
See also Edit
External links Edit
- 2022 Media guide information from Churchill Downs $350,000 Fleur de Lis (Grade II)
References Edit
- ^ a b Inaugural 1975 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 31 May 1975
Gay Jr., Marvin N. (1 June 1975). "Bundler Takes Down Feature". Danville Advocate-Messenger. Associated Press. p. 11. Retrieved 23 June 2020. - ^ a b "FLEUR DE LIS HANDICAP - CHURCHILL DOWNS, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Churchill Downs (2019). "$250,000 Fleur de Lis Presented by Budweiser (Grade II)" (PDF). KentuckyDerby.com. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ Equibase.com (2020). "Fleur de Lis Stakes (Gr. 2)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ a b "2010 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ King, Byron (2 June 2023). "Churchill Downs Suspends Meet; Dates to Shift to Ellis The ongoing meet at Churchill Downs had been scheduled to run through July 3". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Fleur de Lis Stakes Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "2022 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ "2021 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ "2020 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "2019 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2018 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 16 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2017 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 17 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2016 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2015 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2014 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2013 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2012 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2009 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2008 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2007 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2006 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2005 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 18 June 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2004 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 12 June 2004. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2003 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 14 June 2003. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2002 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 15 June 2002. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2001 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 16 June 2001. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "2000 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 3 June 2000. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1999 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 5 June 1999. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1998 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 6 June 1998. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1997 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 7 June 1997. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1996 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 10)". Equibase. 1 June 1996. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1995 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 3 June 1995. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1994 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 June 1994. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1993 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 June 1993. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1992 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 11)". Equibase. 6 June 1992. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "1991 Fleur de Lis Handicap Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 8 June 1991. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ 1990 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 10: held 9 June 1990
- ^ 1989 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 3 June 1989
- ^ Rees, Jennie (5 June 1988). "Lt. Lao shows only her tail to rivals in winning Fleur de Lis 'Cap by 11 (1988 Fleur de Lis Handicap – race 10: held 4 June 1988)". The Courier-Journal. p. 46. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ 1987 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 14 June 1987
- ^ 1986 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 21 June 1986
- ^ 1985 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 8 June 1985
- ^ Rees, Jennie (1 July 1984). "Heatherten makes Fleur de Lis Race forever (1984 Fleur de Lis Handicap – race 8: held 30 June 1984)". The Courier-Journal. p. 12. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ 1983 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 9: held 2 July 1983
- ^ 1982 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 26 June 1982
- ^ 1981 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 13 June 1981
- ^ 1980 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 14 June 1980
- ^ 1979 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 16 June 1979
- ^ 1978 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 17 June 1978
- ^ 1977 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 18 June 1977
- ^ 1976 Fleur de Lis Handicap – Race 8: held 29 May 1977