Locust Grove Stakes

(Redirected from Locust Grove Handicap)

The Locust Grove Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, age three and older, over a distance of 1+116 miles held annually in September during the early fall meeting at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The current purse is $400,000.

Locust Grove Stakes
Grade III race
LocationChurchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated1982
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteChurchill Downs
Race information
Distance1+116 miles
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFillies and mares, three-years-olds and older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
Older: 125 lbs
3YOs: 122 lbs
Purse$400,000 (2021)

History edit

The event is named after the site known as Locust Grove where a 1790 Georgian mansion is situated on 55 acres upriver from Louisville. The house was originally home to William and Lucy Clark Croghan. Lucy was the sister to explorers William Clark and George Rogers Clark. They are the ancestors to Churchill Downs founder Col. M. Lewis Clark.[1]

The event was inaugurated on 31 May 1982 and was won by the Excitable Lady and was ridden by Champion jockey Darrel McHargue winning easily as the 3/10 odds-on favorite by 7 lengths in a time of 1:37.20 over the one mile distance.[2]

The following year the distance of the event was increased to 1+116 miles.[3]

In 1986 the event's conditions were modified to a handicap.[3] The following the event was held on the turf for the first time over a distance of 1+18 miles and was won by longshot Luckiest Girl at 20–1.[4] The following year the event was held at a shorter distance 1+116 miles.[3]

Previously a Listed race, it was upgraded to Grade III status for 1998 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.[5]

In winning the 2003 running of the Locust Grove Handicap, Ipi Tombe became the first horse bred in Zimbabwe to ever win a race at Churchill Downs.

The event was idle in 2011 and 2012 and when it was renewed in 2013 the event was set back to the dirt and since then the event has been moved to the September short fall meeting the conditions allowed for three year old fillies to compete against the older mares as a stakes allowance race.[3] Also due to not being held for to years the event lost its Graded classification.[5] In 2016 the event regained its Grade III status once again.[3]

In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Churchill Downs did not schedule the event in their updated meeting.[5]

Records edit

Speed record

  • 1+116 miles: 1:42.86 Shedaresthedevil (2021)
  • 1+18 miles: 1:46.75 Shaconage (2004)
  • 1 mile: 1:35.76 Genuine Devotion (IRE) (2008)

Margins

  • 8 lengths – Frivolous (2015)

Most wins

Most wins by a trainer

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by an owner

Winners edit

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Locust Grove Stakes
2023 Search Results 5 Tyler Gaffalione Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables 1+116 miles 1:42.40 $397,000 III [6]
2022 Played Hard 4 Joel Rosario Philip A. Bauer Rigney Racing 1+116 miles 1:43.50 $393,000 III [7]
2021 Shedaresthedevil 4 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Flurry Racing Stables, Qatar Racing and Big Aut Farms 1+116 miles 1:42.86 $400,000 III [8]
2020 Race not held
2019 Go Google Yourself 5 Brian Hernandez Jr. Paul J. McGee Jay Em Ess Stable 1+116 miles 1:44.13 $200,000 III [9]
2018 Blue Prize (ARG) 5 Julien R. Leparoux Ignacio Correas IV Merriebelle Stable 1+116 miles 1:43.69 $100,000 III [10]
2017 Romantic Vision 5 Brian Hernandez Jr. George R. Arnold II G. Watts Humphrey Jr. 1+116 miles 1:43.91 $100,000 III [11]
2016 Engaginglee 5 Luis Saez Dale L. Romans Paul A. Lichtefeld & Jack D. Stewart 1+116 miles 1:46.24 $100,000 III [12]
2015 Frivolous 5 Jon Court Victoria H. Oliver G. Watts Humphrey Jr. 1+116 miles 1:43.85 $100,000 Listed [13]
2014 Don't Tell Sophia 6 Joseph Rocco Jr. Philip A. Sims Philip A. Sims & Jerry Namy 1+116 miles 1:45.76 $108,200 [14]
2013 Flashy American 4 Corey J. Lanerie Kenneth G. McPeek Preston Stables 1+116 miles 1:43.53 $111,400 [15]
2011–2012 Race not held
Locust Grove Handicap
2010 Danzon 7 Alex O. Solis James E. Baker Alfred H. Nuckols Jr. 1 mile 1:37.02 $116,200 III [16]
2009 Closeout 4 Robby Albarado Thomas F. Proctor Glen Hill Farm 1 mile 1:38.38 $114,900 III [17]
2008 Genuine Devotion (IRE) 4 Alan Garcia Kiaran P. McLaughlin James J. Barry 1 mile 1:35.76 $171,750 III [18]
2007 Mauralakana (FR) 4 Julien R. Leparoux Patrick L. Biancone Maurice Hassan, Lewis Lakin, Richard Giacopelli & Fab Oak Stable 1+18 miles 1:47.99 $162,900 III [19]
2006 Rich in Spirit 4 Mark Guidry Thomas F. Proctor Glen Hill Farm 1+18 miles 1:50.00 $165,450 III [20]
2005 Delta Princess 6 Brice Blanc William I. Mott Saud bin Khaled 1+18 miles 1:48.90 $164,550 III [21]
2004 Shaconage 4 Brice Blanc Mitch Shirota Andrena Van Doren 1+18 miles 1:46.75 $165,750 III [22]
2003 Ipi Tombe (ZIM) 5 Pat Day W. Elliott Walden Team Valor Stables, Winstar Farm & Sunmark Partners 1+18 miles 1:47.70 $164,400 III [23]
2002 Voodoo Dancer 4 Jose A. Santos Christophe Clement Green Hills Farm 1+18 miles 1:46.91 $168,900 III [24]
2001 Colstar 5 Jon Court Paul R. Fout Beverly R. Steinman 1+18 miles 1:48.79 $172,800 III [25]
2000 Colstar 4 Alberto Delgado Paul R. Fout Beverly R. Steinman 1+18 miles 1:47.44 $165,000 III [26]
1999 Shires Ende 4 Willie Martinez Richard R. Scherer Carolyn Friedberg 1+18 miles 1:49.11 $173,400 III [27]
1998 Colcon 5 Shane Sellers William I. Mott Cavallix 1+18 miles 1:48.53 $167,700 III [28]
1997 Romy 6 Francisco C. Torres Moises R. Yanez William Pacella, Joseph Rizza & Ronald Schwed 1+18 miles 1:48.89 $110,700 Listed [29]
1996 Bail Out Becky 4 Craig Perret William I. Mott Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey 1+18 miles 1:47.38 $111,800 Listed [30]
1995 Memories (IRE) 4 Shane Sellers Burk Kessinger Jr. New Phoenix Stable & Alvin Haynes 1+18 miles 1:47.48 $110,400 Listed [31]
1994 Life Is Delicious 4 Jose R. Martinez Jr. Peter M. Vestal William I. Levy 1+18 miles 1:53.87 $109,000 Listed Off turf[32]
1993 Lady Blessington (FR) 5 Corey Black Mark A. Hennig Team Valor 1+18 miles 1:50.16 $114,450 Listed [33]
1992 Behaving Dancer 5 Donald Lee Howard Robert E. Holthus Prestonwood Farms 1+18 miles 1:47.27 $115,000 Listed [34]
1991 Nice Serve 4 Joe M. Johnson Gary G. Hartlage Ronald K. Kirk 1+18 miles 1:51.30 $113,600 Listed [35]
1990 Dibs 4 Aaron Gryder Steven C. Penrod Claiborne Farm 1+18 miles 1:50.60 $104,405 [36]
1989 Jungle Gold 4 Charles R. Woods Jr. Frank L. Brothers Lazy Lane Farms 1+116 miles 1:43.20 $82,125 [37]
1988 Chez Chez Chez 4 Jesse J. Garcia Cotton John Summerplace Farm 1+116 miles 1:45.20 $85,500 [38]
1987 Luckiest Girl 4 Donald Joseph Soto Luis Albert Palacios Maurice Miller 1+18 miles 1:51.60 $56,100 [4]
1986 Glorious View 4 Charles R. Woods Jr. Michael B. Ball Mira Ball 1+116 miles 1:44.00 $56,450 [39]
Locust Grove Stakes
1985 Sintra 4 K. Keith Allen Steven C. Penrod Cherry Valley Farm 1+116 miles 1:43.40 $31,175 [40]
1984 Heatherten 5 Sam Maple William I. Mott John A. Franks 1+116 miles 1:43.00 $40,335 [41]
1983 Try Something New 4 Pat Day Claude R. McGaughey III John A. Bell III 1+116 miles 1:45.20 $35,625 [42]
1982 Excitable Lady 4 Darrel G. McHargue Inda Eduardoa Tom Gentry 1 mile 1:37.20 $37,100 [2]

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Churchill Downs (2021). "$400,000 Locust Grove (Grade III)" (PDF). KentuckyDerby.com. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Sowell, Richard (1 June 1982). "Victory's a breeze for Excitable Lady in Locust Grove (1982 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 31 May 1982)". The Courier-Journal. pp. 6, 8. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Locust Grove Stakes Profile". Equibase. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b Cushing, Rick (31 May 1987). "Luckiest Girl is not luck at all for most of Downs' Locust Grove handicappers (1987 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 30 May 1987)". The Courier-Journal. p. 50. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "LOCUST GROVE HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  6. ^ "2023 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  7. ^ "2022 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  8. ^ "2021 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  9. ^ "2019 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  10. ^ "2018 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  11. ^ "2017 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  12. ^ "2016 Locust Grove Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3)". Equibase. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  13. ^ "2015 Locust Grove Stakes Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  14. ^ "2014 Locust Grove Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  15. ^ "2013 Locust Grove Stakes Black Type - (race 8)". Equibase. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  16. ^ "2010 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  17. ^ "2009 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  18. ^ "2008 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  19. ^ "2007 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  20. ^ "2006 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  21. ^ "2005 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 2 July 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  22. ^ "2004 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 26 June 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  23. ^ "2003 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 June 2003. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  24. ^ "2002 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 June 2002. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  25. ^ "2001 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 June 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  26. ^ "2000 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 24 June 2000. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  27. ^ "1999 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 June 1999. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  28. ^ "1998 Locust Grove Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 June 1998. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  29. ^ "1997 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 June 1997. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  30. ^ "1996 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 June 1996. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  31. ^ "1995 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 25 June 1995. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  32. ^ "1994 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 June 1994. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  33. ^ "1993 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 27 June 1993. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  34. ^ "1992 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 June 1992. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  35. ^ "1991 Locust Grove Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 June 1991. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  36. ^ Rees, Jennie (25 June 1990). "Dibs takes Locust Grove after half the field falls (1990 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 24 June 1990)". The Courier-Journal. pp. 9, 27. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  37. ^ Barry, Jack (14 May 1989). "Jungle Gold overcomes traffic jam to win Locust Grove (1989 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 13 May 1989)". The Courier-Journal. p. 23. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  38. ^ Barry, Jack (15 May 1988). "Chez Chez Chez shows grit in Locust Grove (1988 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 14 May 1988)". The Courier-Journal. p. 50. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  39. ^ Rees, Jennie (1 June 1986). "Glorious View wins, so Balls have a ball (1986 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 31 May 1986)". The Courier-Journal. p. 50. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  40. ^ Cushing, Rick (27 May 1985). "Sintra breezes by four after being left at gate (1985 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 26 May 1985)". The Courier-Journal. p. 33. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  41. ^ Rees, Jennie (3 June 1984). "Romps by four in Locust Grove; Heatherten leaves 'em hoping (1984 Locust Grove Handicap – race 8: held 2 June 1984)". The Courier-Journal. p. 10. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  42. ^ Adair, Bob (5 June 1983). "Something New is one wide winner as Day finds a way (1983 Locust Grove Handicap – race 9: held 4 June 1983)". The Courier-Journal. p. 37. Retrieved 17 September 2021.