Fair Grounds Stakes

(Redirected from Fair Grounds Handicap)

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+18 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.

Fair Grounds Stakes
Grade III race
LocationFair Grounds Race Course
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Inaugurated1988 (as Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup)
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
WebsiteFair Grounds
Race information
Distance1+18 miles
SurfaceTurf
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old & older
Weight124 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 1:5415. 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+18 miles – 1:47.29 Factor This (2020)

Margins:

  • 5+12 lengths – Joyeux Danseur (1998)

Most wins:

  • 3 - Yukon Gold (1993, 1994, 1995)
  • 3 - Mystery Giver (2002, 2003, 2004)

Most wins by a jockey:

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+18 miles 1:49.96 $175,000 III [9]
2023 Two Emmys 7 James Graham Hugh H. Robertson Wolfe Racing & Hugh H. Robertson abt. 1+18 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+18 miles 1:53.06 $150,000 III [11]
2021 Captivating Moon 5 Marcelino Pedroza Chris Block Lothenbach Stables 1+18 miles 1:50.27 $150,000 III [12]
2020 Factor This 5 Shaun Bridgmohan Brad H. Cox Gaining Ground Racing 1+18 miles 1:47.29 $150,000 III [13]
Fair Grounds Handicap
2019 Synchrony 6 Joe Bravo Michael Stidham Pin Oak Stable abt. 1+18 miles 1:48.09 $150,000 III [14]
2018 Synchrony 5 Joe Bravo Michael Stidham Pin Oak Stable abt. 1+18 miles 1:48.82 $150,000 III [15]
2017 Enterprising 6 Julien R. Leparoux Michael J. Maker Maxis Stable abt. 1+18 miles 1:48.80 $122,500 III [16]
2016 Chocolate Ride 6 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Wentworth Brochu abt. 1+18 miles 1:49.31 $125,000 III [17]
2015 Chocolate Ride 5 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox John Wentworth abt. 1+18 miles 1:48.84 $125,000 III [18]
2014 Potomac River 5 Juan P. Vargas Jose M. Camejo Maribel Ruelas abt. 1+18 miles 1:50.52 $147,000 III [19]
2013 Optimizer 4 Jon Court D. Wayne Lukas Calumet Farm abt. 1+18 miles 1:56.06 $145,500 III [20]
2012 Smart Bid 6 Edgar S. Prado H. Graham Motion Augustin Stable abt. 1+18 miles 1:51.91 $122,500 III [21]
2011 Expansion 6 Gerard Melancon Steven M. Asmussen Millennium Farms & Mike McCarty abt. 1+18 miles 1:54.94 $125,000 III [22]
2010 Blues Street 6 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Anstu Stables abt. 1+18 miles 1:51.71 $100,000 III [23]
2009 Diamond Tycoon 5 Julien R. Leparoux Andrew McKeever Charlotte Musgrave abt. 1+18 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+18 miles 1:50.09 $140,000 III [25]
2007 Cloudy's Knight 7 Ramsey Zimmerman James R. McMullen S J Stables abt. 1+18 miles 1:49.48 $198,500 III [26]
At Louisiana Downs
2006 Fort Prado 6 Robby Albarado Jeff Trosclair Team Block 1+116 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+18 miles 1:53.79 $125,000 Listed [28]
2004 Mystery Giver 6 Robby Albarado Richard R. Scherer Team Block abt. 1+18 miles 1:51.77 $119,500 Listed [29]
2003 Mystery Giver 5 Robby Albarado Richard R. Scherer Team Block abt. 1+18 miles 1:50.41 $150,000 Listed [30]
2002 Mystery Giver 4 Eddie Martin Jr. Richard R. Scherer Team Block abt. 1+18 miles 1:50.13 $147,000 Listed [31]
2001 Candid Glen 4 Elvis Joseph Perrodin Andrew Leggio Jr. Glen C. Warren abt. 1+18 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+18 miles 1:52.52 $159,100 Listed [33]
1999 Aboriginal Apex 6 Larry Melancon Niall M. O'Callaghan Gary B. Knapp abt. 1+18 miles 1:51.71 $150,000 Listed [34]
1998 Joyeux Danseur 5 Robby Albarado Albert Stall Jr. B. Wayne Hughes abt. 1+18 miles 1:50.60 $125,000 Listed [35]
1997 Snake Eyes 7 Robby Albarado Walter M. Bindner Jr. Marco Bommarito abt. 1+18 miles 1:52.65 $147,470 Listed [36]
1996 Born Wild 4 Mickey Walls Daniel J. Vella Frank H. Stronach abt. 1+18 miles 1:52.97 $102,325 Listed [37]
1995 Yukon Robbery 6 Ricky Faul Hal Wiggins Thomas C. Mueller 1+18 miles 1:51.50 $101,975 Listed [6]
1994 Yukon Robbery 5 Ricky Faul Hal Wiggins Thomas C. Mueller abt. 1+18 miles 1:50.27 $98,225 Listed [38]
1993 Yukon Robbery 4 Ricky Faul Hal Wiggins Thomas C. Mueller abt. 1+18 miles 1:50.60 $77,400 [39]
1992 Rainbows for Life (CAN) 4 Shane Romero James Day Sam-Son Farm abt. 1+18 miles 1:53.00 $77,800 [40]
1991 First Tea 4 Kenneth Bourque Paul H. Murphy David J. Hulkewicz abt. 1+18 miles 1:53.30 $77,500 [41]
1990 Tower Above 'Em 6 Shane Romero Joseph Y. Soileau James Cassels abt. 1+18 miles 1:55.80 $75,575 [42]
1989 Ingot's Ruler 7 Ronald Ardoin Tommie T. Morgan Mildred Fike abt. 1+18 miles 1:51.20 $75,000 [43]
1988 Top Guest (IRE) 5 Jean-Luc Samyn Timothy A. Koons Dogwood Stable abt. 1+18 miles 1:54.20 $65,000 [44]

Legend:
  Dirt   Turf

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Stakes Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. ^ "FAIR GROUNDS HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Churchill, Horsemen Agree on 37-Day Meet in Louisiana". BloodHorse.com. Churchill Downs Inc. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Profile of Yukon Gold". equibase.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b "1995 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 February 1995. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Synchrony Seeks Hat Trick in Fair Grounds Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Weekend Lineup: Risen Star Times Two". Paulick Report. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  9. ^ "2024 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 12)". Equibase. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  10. ^ "2023Fair Grounds Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Nation Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  11. ^ "2022 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  12. ^ "2021 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  13. ^ "2020 Fair Grounds Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  14. ^ "2019 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 16 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  15. ^ "2018 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  16. ^ "2017 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  17. ^ "2016 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  18. ^ "2015 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  19. ^ "2014 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  20. ^ "2013 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  21. ^ "2012 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  22. ^ "2011 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  23. ^ "2010 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 February 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  24. ^ "2009 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  25. ^ "2008 Fair Grounds Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  26. ^ "2007 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  27. ^ "2006 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 January 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  28. ^ "2005 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 February 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  29. ^ "2004 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 31 January 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  30. ^ "2003 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 1 February 2003. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  31. ^ "2002 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  32. ^ "2001 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 February 2001. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  33. ^ "2000 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 5 February 2000. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  34. ^ "1999 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 February 1999. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  35. ^ "1998 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 7 February 1998. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  36. ^ "1997 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 February 1997. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  37. ^ "1996 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 February 1996. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  38. ^ "1994 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 February 1994. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  39. ^ "1993 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  40. ^ "1992 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 February 1992. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  41. ^ "1991 Fair Grounds Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap Black Type - (race 10)". Equibase. 17 February 1991. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  42. ^ "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.
  43. ^ "Budweiser Breeders – (race 9: held 12 February 1989)". New York Daily News. The Associated Press. 13 February 1989. p. 243. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  44. ^ "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.