La Cañada Stakes

The La Cañada Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four-years-old and older over a distance of one-and-one-sixteenth miles on the dirt track held annually in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently offers a purse of US$200,000.

La Cañada Stakes

Grade III race
Location	Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, USA
Inaugurated	1975
Race type	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Website	Santa Anita Park
Race information
Distance	1+1⁄16 miles
Surface	Dirt
Track	left-handed
Qualification	Fillies and mares age four and older
Weight	124 lbs with allowances
Purse	US$200,000 (since 2020)

History

The event was named after a 1843 Mexican land grant known as Rancho La Cañada in the San Rafael Hills and Crescenta Valley of Southern California.^[1] The name means "ranch of the canyon". The rancho included the current day city of La Cañada Flintridge.^[2][3]

The inaugural running of the event was on 1 February 1975 over a distance of one-and-one-sixteenth miles and was won by the 1974 U.S. Champion Three-Year-Old Filly Chris Evert who carried 128 pounds, winning by a nose as the 13/10 favorite over Mercy Dee with Lucky Spell in third place 1+3⁄4 lengths away in a time of 1:413⁄5.^[4] The winning time recorded for the distance continues today to be the stakes record.

The following year, the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄8 miles.^[5] The event was run at this distance until 2011.

Given the quality of competition after the first two runnings of the event in 1977 the American Graded Stakes Committee classified the event as Grade II.^[6]

In 1978 Santa Anita Park administration created the La Cañada Series, a series of races for newly turning/turned 4-year-old fillies and run at an increasing distance. The series begins with the La Brea Stakes at 7 furlongs followed by the Grade II El Encino Stakes at 1+1⁄16 miles in mid January, then the upgraded Grade I La Cañada Stakes at 1+1⁄8 miles in mid February.^[6] Until the series ended in 2011 when the El Encino Stakes was discontinued, only three fillies had ever won all three races: Taisez Vous (1978), Mitterand (1985), and Got Koko (2003). The Santa Anita Park counterpart series for male horses is the Strub Series.

In 1990 the event was downgraded Grade II.^[6]

For three years (2008–10) the event was held on the synthetic All-Weather course which had been installed at Santa Anita Park.^[6]

With the discontinuation of the El Encino Stakes in 2012 the La Cañada Stakes distance was decreased to 1+1⁄16 miles and the race was scheduled in mid January.^[6]

In 2018 the event was run at a distance of one mile.^[5]

In 2019 the event was downgraded Grade III.^[6]

The 1986 winner Lady's Secret had an outstanding year culminating with a victory in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Distaff and winning the U.S. Champion Older Filly award and being voted as United States Horse of the Year. The 1996 winner Jewel Princess also won the Breeders' Cup Distaff and winning the U.S. Champion Older Filly award and being voted as United States Horse of the Year. While the 2000 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Spain won two legs of the La Cañada Series and finished second in the El Encino Stakes.

Records

Speed record:

• 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:41.60 – Chris Evert (1975)
• 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:47.60 – Glorious Song (1980), Safe Play (1982)

Margins:

• 13+1⁄2 lengths – As Time Goes By (2022)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 5 – Gary Stevens (1987, 1994, 1999, 2002, 2016)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 4 – Bob Baffert (2004, 2011, 2017, 2022)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 – Eugene V. Klein (1986, 1987)
• 2 – The Thoroughbred Corporation (2001, 2004)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
2023	Kirstenbosch	Kazushi Kimura	John W. Sadler	Keith Abrahams	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.19	$200,500	III	^[7]
2022	As Time Goes By	Flavien Prat	Bob Baffert	Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier & Derrick Smith	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.31	$200,000	III	^[8]
2021	Sanenus (CHI)	Umberto Rispoli	Michael W. McCarthy	Matriarca	1+1⁄16 miles	1:45.44	$201,000	III	^[9]
2020	Queen Bee to You	Ruben Fuentes	Andrew Lerner	An Equal Amount Of Blueberries & Adam Vali	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.36	$200,500	III	^[10]
2019	Escape Clause	Tyler Baze	Don Schnell	Don Schnell	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.89	$100,351	III	^[11]
2018	Mopotism	Mario Gutierrez	Doug F. O'Neill	Reddam Racing	1 mile	1:37.29	$201,035	II	^[12]
2017	Vale Dori (ARG)	Mike E. Smith	Bob Baffert	Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.95	$200,000	II	^[13]
2016	Taris	Gary L. Stevens	Simon Callaghan	Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor	1+1⁄16 miles	1:44.38	$196,250	II	^[14]
2015	Thegirlinthatsong	Rafael Bejarano	Jerry Hollendorfer	Tim & Peter Russo, Jerry Hollendorfer & Daniel J. Gatto	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.84	$200,500	II	^[15]
2014	Spellbound	Victor Espinoza	Richard E. Mandella	Ramona Bass, Claiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider	1+1⁄16 miles	1:43.14	$200,500	II	^[16]
2013	More Chocolate	Garrett K. Gomez	John W. Sadler	Michael Talla	1+1⁄16 miles	1:42.59	$150,250	II	^[17]
2012	Include Me Out	Joseph Talamo	Ronald W. Ellis	Jay Em Ess Stable	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.89	$150,000	II	^[18]
2011	Always a Princess	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	Arnold Zetcher	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.36	$147,000	II	^[19]
2010	Striking Dancer	Alex O. Solis	Kenneth G. McPeek	Steve Stan Stables	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.48	$150,000	II	^[20]
2009	Life Is Sweet	Garrett K. Gomez	John Shirreffs	Pam & Martin Wygod	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.70	$200,000	II	^[21]
2008	Dawn After Dawn	Garrett K. Gomez	John W. Sadler	Ike & Dawn Thrash	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.37	$200,000	II	^[22]
2007	Balance	Victor Espinoza	David E. Hofmans	Amerman Racing	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.41	$200,000	II	^[23]
2006	Seafree	Pat Valenzuela	Robert J. Frankel	Edmund A. Gann	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.04	$200,000	II	^[24]
2005	Tarlow	Pat Valenzuela	John Shirreffs	Ann & Jerome Moss	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.64	$200,000	II	^[25]
2004	§ Cat Fighter	Alex O. Solis	Bob Baffert	The Thoroughbred Corporation	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.41	$200,000	II	^[26]
2003	Got Koko	Alex O. Solis	Bruce Headley	Aase Headley & Paul Leung	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.41	$200,000	II	^[27]
2002	Summer Colony	Gary L. Stevens	Mark A. Hennig	Edward P. Evans	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.26	$200,000	II	^[28]
2001	Spain	Victor Espinoza	D. Wayne Lukas	The Thoroughbred Corporation	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.74	$200,000	II	^[29]
2000	Scholars Studio	Corey Nakatani	Martin F. Jones	King Edward Racing Stable	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.14	$200,000	II	^[30]
1999	Manistique	Gary L. Stevens	John Shirreffs	505 Farms	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.81	$200,000	II	^[31]
1998	Fleet Lady	Garrett K. Gomez	Jerry Hollendorfer	Golden Eagle Farm	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.59	$200,000	II	^[32]
1997	Belle's Flag	Corey Nakatani	Darrell Vienna	Ernest Auerbach	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.28	$213,200	II	^[33]
1996	Jewel Princess	Alex O. Solis	Wallace Dollase	Richard J. & Martha J. Stephen	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.42	$209,900	II	^[34]
1995	Dianes Halo	Corey Nakatani	David C. Cross Jr.	Diane Garber	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.35	$213,800	II	^[35]
1994	Stalcreek	Gary L. Stevens	David Bernstein	Gaylord Ailshie & Joseph Shields	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.85	$205,000	II	^[36]
1993	Alysbelle	Eddie Delahoussaye	Jack Van Berg	Clarence Scharbauer Jr.	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.85	$220,850	II	^[37]
1992	Exchange	Laffit Pincay Jr.	William Spawr	Sidney Craig	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.96	$218,250	II	^[38]
1991	Fit to Scout	Julio A. Garcia	Jack Van Berg	Robert M. Snell	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.50	$216,700	II	^[39]
1990	Gorgeous	Eddie Delahoussaye	Neil D. Drysdale	Robert N. Clay	1+1⁄8 miles	1:50.00	$212,000	II	^[40]
1989	Goodbye Halo	Pat Day	Charles E. Whittingham	Alex G. Campbell Jr. & Arthur B. Hancock III	1+1⁄8 miles	1:54.40	$215,300	I	^[41]
1988	Hollywood Glitter	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Gary F. Jones	Joanne Batchelor	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.20	$161,700	I	^[42]
1987	Family Style	Gary L. Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	Eugene V. Klein	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.60	$162,300	I	^[43]
1986	Lady's Secret	Chris McCarron	D. Wayne Lukas	Mr. & Mrs. Eugene V. Klein	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.80	$205,700	I	^[44]
1985	Mitterand	Eddie Delahoussaye	Randy Winick	Silver Star Stable & Arnold Winick	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.80	$208,200	I	^[45]
1984	Sweet Diane	Ray Sibille	Robert J. Frankel	Harry W. Stone, Pinwheel Farm & Milton Bronson	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.20	$198,950	I	^[46]
1983	Avigaition	Eddie Delahoussaye	Vivian M. Pulliam	C. Norman Pulliam	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.80	$169,400	I	^[47]
1982	Safe Play	Don Brumfield	Harvey L. Vanier	Dr. Carl Lauer & Nancy A. Vanier	1+1⁄8 miles	1:47.60	$168,300	I	^[48]
1981	Summer Siren	Marco Castaneda	Louis R. Carno	Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Cavanagh	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.60	$142,500	I	^[49]
1980	Glorious Song (CAN)	Chris McCarron	Gerald W. Belanger Jr.	Frank Stronach	1+1⁄8 miles	1:47.60	$136,600	I	^[50]
1979	B. Thoughtful	Donald R. Pierce	Robert L. Wheeler	Mrs. Walter Haefner	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.80	$114,900	I	^[51]
1978	Taisez Vous	Donald R. Pierce	Robert L. Wheeler	Vernon D. & Ann Eachus	1+1⁄8 miles	1:49.80	$110,000	I	^[52]
1977	Lucie Manet	Bill Shoemaker	Jaime Villagomez	John & Donald Valpredo	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.20	$113,300	II	^[53]
1976	Raise Your Skirts	Bill Shoemaker	Barney Willis	Harris Farms, Virginia Willis & Kemper Marley	1+1⁄8 miles	1:48.40	$83,900		^[54]
1975	Chris Evert	Jorge Velasquez	Joseph A. Trovato	Carl Rosen	1+1⁄16 miles	1:41.60	$57,900		^[4]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Dirt

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links

• 2020 Santa Anita Media Guide

References

1. Ogden Hoffman, 1862, Reports of Land Cases Determined in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Numa Hubert, San Francisco
2. . Archived from the original on 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
3. Diseno La Cañada
4. Abbott, Bion (2 February 1975). "Chris Evert Returns- - -and Wins by a Nose (1975 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 1 February 1975)". Los Angeles Times. p. 52. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
5. "LA CANADA STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
6. "La Canada Stakes (Gr. 3)". www.equibase.com. 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
7. "2023 La Cañada Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
8. "2022 La Cañada Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
9. "2021 La Cañada Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
10. "2020 La Cañada Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
11. "2019 La Cañada Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
12. "2018 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
13. "2017 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
14. "2016 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
15. "2015 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
16. "2014 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
17. "2013 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
18. "2012 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 22 January 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
19. "2011 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 February 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
20. "2010 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
21. "2009 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
22. "2008 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 10 February 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
23. "2007 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
24. "2006 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 February 2006. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
25. "2005 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 12 February 2005. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
26. "2004 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 February 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
27. "2003 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 8 February 2003. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
28. "2002 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 9 February 2002. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
29. "2001 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". Equibase. 11 February 2001. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
30. "2000 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 6 February 2000. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
31. "1999 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 7 February 1999. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
32. "1998 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 February 1998. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
33. "1997 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 1997. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
34. "1996 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 11 February 1996. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
35. "1995 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 February 1995. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
36. "1994 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 February 1994. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
37. "1993 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 30 January 1993. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
38. "1992 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 February 1992. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
39. "1991 La Cañada Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 26 January 1991. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
40. Mieszerski, Bob (4 February 1990). "Gorgeous Looks Marvelous In Tuneup for Santa Margarita (1990 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 3 February 1990)". Los Angeles Times. p. 116. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
41. "Goodbye Halo splashes to easy 2 1/2-length victory in La Canada (1989 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 4 February 1989)". The Courier-Journal. New York Times & Special Dispatches. 5 February 1989. p. 51. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
42. Christine, Bill (7 February 1988). "Hollywood Glitter Shines, Wins by a Neck (1988 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 6 February 1988)". Los Angeles Times. p. 136. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
43. Christine, Bill (16 February 1987). "Family Style's Victory Completes a Near-Perfect Day for the Lukas Barn (1987 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 15 February 1987)". Los Angeles Times. p. 37. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
44. Christine, Bill (10 February 1986). "After La Canada Victory, the Word Is Out: Lady's Secret Is on a Tear (1986 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 9 February 1986)". Los Angeles Times. p. 45. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
45. Christine, Bill (11 February 1985). "Mitterand Victory in La Canada Finishes Series Sweep For Filly (1985 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 10 February 1985)". Los Angeles Times. p. 49. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
46. Christine, Bill (30 January 1984). "Sweet Diane Wins La Canada Stakes; Late Scratch of Bacharach Filly Stirs Controversy of Santa Anita (1984 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 29 January 1984)". Los Angeles Times. p. 47. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
47. Christine, Bill (30 January 1983). "Avigaition Finishes First Again, Wins This Race ;She Had the Yellow Ribbon Taken Away, Leaves No Question in La Canada (1983 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 29 January 1983)". Los Angeles Times. p. 60. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
48. McManus, Sam (1 February 1982). "Safe Play Makes Long Trip Worthwhile (1982 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 31 January 1982)". Los Angeles Times. p. 36. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
49. Abbott, Bion (9 February 1981). "Longshot Returns $111.20; Summer Siren Comes From 21 Lengths Back to Win (1981 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 8 February 1981)". Los Angeles Times. p. 43. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
50. Abbott, Bion (11 February 1980). "Glorious Song Pulls A Switch ; Stays Out of Traffic and Upsets It's in the Air in Rematch (1980 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 10 February 1980)". Los Angeles Times. p. 43. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
51. Abbott, Bion (12 February 1979). "B. Thoughtful Wins by a Length (1979 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 11 February 1979)". Los Angeles Times. p. 48. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
52. Abbott, Bion (12 February 1978). "Filly Series a Runaway for Taisez Vous (1978 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 11 February 1978)". Los Angeles Times. p. 46. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
53. Abbott, Bion (14 February 1977). "Shoe 120 Times $100,000 (1977 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 13 February 1977)". Los Angeles Times. p. 39. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
54. "Hot Shoe' Boots Raise Your Skirts To win (1976 La Cañada Stakes – race 8: held 15 February 1976)". Santa Ana Register. The Associated Press. 16 February 1976. p. 25. Retrieved 29 December 2021.