Las Virgenes Stakes

The Las Virgenes Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies over the distance of one mile on the dirt scheduled annually in late January or early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.

Las Virgenes Stakes
Grade III race
LocationSanta Anita Park
Arcadia, California, United States
Inaugurated1983
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Websitewww.santaanita.com
Race information
Distance1 mile
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-year-old fillies
Weight124 lbs with allowances[1]
Purse$200,000 (since 2017)

History

The event was named after the Rancho Las Virgenes land grant in the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills. The event was inaugurated on 26 February 1983 with Saucy Bobbie victorious, who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. and trained by US Hall of Fame trainer Lazaro S. Barrera in a time of 1:36​1⁄5.[2]

The event was scheduled in Southern California as a natural progression for three-year-old fillies with the Santa Ynez Stakes over 7 furlongs in January, Las Virgenes Stakes over one mile in February and the Santa Susana Stakes, later renamed as the Santa Anita Oaks over ​1 1⁄16 miles in March.

Althea, winner of the second running in 1984[3] later that spring became the first filly to win the Arkansas Derby.[4]

The event was upgraded to Grade III in 1985.[5] The winner that year was Fran's Valentine who was first over the line in her first race, the inaugural 1984 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Hollywood Park but was disqualified and place tenth.[6] With the obvious quality of the runners in 1987 the event was upgraded to Grade II and the following year in 1988 the event reached Grade I status.[5]

The event has produced an outstanding number of fillies that have gone on to be champions both in their sophomore year and even later to become Champions winning Breeders' Cup events.

These include Goodbye Halo and Lite Light who went on to win the Kentucky Oaks and Coaching Club American Oaks. Serena's Song went on to defeat colts in the Jim Beam Stakes and Haskell Invitational Handicap enroute to becoming US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly for 1995. The 2000 winner Surfside defeated older horses in the Grade II Clark Handicap also capturing US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly honors. The 2007 winner Rags to Riches became a US Classic winner when she won the Belmont Stakes and going on to capture US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly honors. The US Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Champion Beholder won this race and went on to win the 2013 Breeders' Cup Distaff and was named US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly that year.

In 2016 the event was downgraded to Grade II and again in 2021 to Grade III.[7]

The event is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Records

Speed record:

  • 1:34.86 – Zazu (2011)

Margins:

  • ​9 1⁄4 lengths – Venetian Harbor (2020)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Las Virgenes Stakes – Santa Anita Oaks double:

Notes:
† Santa Anita Oaks was known as the Santa Susana Stakes.

Winners
Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
2021 Moonlight d'Oro Flavien Prat Richard E. Mandella MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm 1 mile 1:38:01 $200,000 III [8]
2020 Venetian Harbor Flavien Prat Richard Baltas Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm & Domenic Savides 1 mile 1:37.51 $200,000 II [9]
2019 Bellafina Flavien Prat Simon Callaghan Kaleem Shah 1 mile 1:35.99 $200,000 II [10]
2018 Dream Tree Drayden Van Dyke Bob Baffert Phoenix Thoroughbred 1 mile 1:39.45 $200,345 II [11]
2017 Unique Bella Mike E. Smith Jerry Hollendorfer Don Alberto Stable 1 mile 1:35.66 $196,000 II [12]
2016 Songbird Mike E. Smith Jerry Hollendorfer Fox Hill Farms 1 mile 1:36.84 $300,345 II [13]
2015 Callback Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Spendthrift Farm 1 mile 1:36.92 $301,000 I [14]
2014 Fashion Plate Gary L. Stevens Simon Callaghan Arnold Zetcher & Michael Tabor 1 mile 1:37.22 $300,000 I [15]
2013 Beholder Garrett K. Gomez Richard E. Mandella Spendthrift Farm 1 mile 1:36.14 $250,750 I [16]
2012 Eden's Moon Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Kaleem Shah 1 mile 1:35.27 $250,000 I [17]
2011 Zazu Joel Rosario John W. Sadler Ann & Jerry Moss 1 mile 1:34.86 $250,000 I [18]
2010 Blind Luck Rafael Bejarano Jerry Hollendorfer Mark DeDomenico, John Carver & Jerry Hollendorfer 1 mile 1:35.98 $250,000 I [19]
2009 Stardom Bound Mike E. Smith Robert J. Frankel IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr., Michael Dubb & Golden Goose Ent. 1 mile 1:36.43 $300,000 I [20]
2008 Golden Doc A Rafael Bejarano Barry Abrams Ron McCauley 1 mile 1:35.86 $250,000 I [21]
2007 Rags to Riches Garrett K. Gomez Michael W. McCarthy Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor 1 mile 1:37.85 $250,000 I [22]
2006 Balance Victor Espinoza David E. Hofmans Amerman Racing 1 mile 1:36.54 $250,000 I [23]
2005 Sharp Lisa Corey Nakatani Doug F. O'Neill J. Paul Reddam, Suarez Racing & Mark Schlesinger 1 mile 1:35.64 $250,000 I [24]
2004 A. P. Adventure Alex O. Solis Wallace Dollase Robert & Beverly Lewis 1 mile 1:36.50 $250,000 I [25]
2003 Composure Jerry D. Bailey Bob Baffert Robert & Beverly Lewis 1 mile 1:36.13 $200,000 I [26]
2002 You Jerry D. Bailey Robert J. Frankel Edmund A. Gann 1 mile 1:38.84 $200,000 I [27]
2001 Golden Ballet Chris McCarron Jenine Sahadi Team Valor & Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 1 mile 1:36.89 $200,000 I [28]
2000 Surfside Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1 mile 1:37.00 $196,000 I [29]
1999 Excellent Meeting Kent J. Desormeaux Bob Baffert Golden Eagle Farm 1 mile 1:35.35 $200,000 I [30]
1998 Keeper Hill David R. Flores Robert J. Frankel Dr. John A. Chandler 1 mile 1:36.94 $200,000 I [31]
1997 Sharp Cat Corey Nakatani D. Wayne Lukas The Thoroughbred Corp. 1 mile 1:35.52 $158,800 I [32]
1996 Antespend Chris Antley Ron McAnally Jack Kent Cooke 1 mile 1:36.45 $156,900 I [33]
1995 Serena's Song Corey Nakatani D. Wayne Lukas Robert & Beverly Lewis 1 mile 1:35.46 $160,200 I [34]
1994 Lakeway Kent J. Desormeaux Gary F. Jones Mike Rutherford 1 mile 1:35.14 $161,100 I [35]
1993 Likeable Style Gary L. Stevens Richard E. Mandella Golden Eagle Farm 1 mile 1:36.67 $158,500 I [36]
1992 Magical Maiden Gary L. Stevens Warren Stute Clement L. Hirsch 1 mile 1:36.23 $164,300 I [37]
1991 Lite Light Corey Nakatani Henry Moreno Jack L. Finley 1 mile 1:35.60 $161,300 I [38]
1990 Cheval Volant Alex O. Solis Kenneth J. Jumps Kenneth J. Jumps, Steve Shapiro, David Stark & Bill Stratton 1 mile 1:38.00 $134,400 I [39]
1989 Kool Arrival Laffit Pincay Jr. Melvin F. Stute John Coelho, Phillip Fields & Peter Valenti 1 mile 1:36.20 $133,450 I [40]
1988 Goodbye Halo Jorge Velasquez Charles E. Whittingham Arthur B. Hancock III 1 mile 1:36.80 $126,500 I [41]
1987 Timely Assertion Gary L. Stevens Henry Moreno George Aubin 1 mile 1:36.80 $126,600 II [42]
1986 Life At The Top Rafael Q. Meza D. Wayne Lukas Lloyd R. French Jr. & Eugene V. Klein 1 mile 1:36.20 $131,050 III [43]
1985 Fran's Valentine Pat Valenzuela Joseph Manzi Green Thumb Farm Stable 1 mile 1:36.40 $133,650 III [44]
1984 Althea Laffit Pincay Jr. D. Wayne Lukas David Aykroyd, Helen Alexander & Helen Groves 1 mile 1:37.00 $86,600 Listed [3]
1983 Saucy Bobbie Laffit Pincay Jr. Laz Barrera Leslie Combs II & Francis Kernan 1 mile 1:36.20 $83,850 [2]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Dirt


See also

References
  1. "Chart of the 2020 Las Virgenes". Equibase. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. "Santa Anita Park Charts (1983 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 26 February 1983)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 27 February 1983. p. 52. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  3. "Althea wins by nose in Las Virgenes Stakes (1984 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 25 February 1984)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 26 February 1984. p. 34. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  4. Wall, Maryjean (2016). "Consumate Horsewoman" (PDF). Keeneland.com. p. 46. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  5. "Stakes profile". Equibase. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  6. Christine, Bill (25 March 1985). "Finally, Earl Scheib Has a Reason to Paint the Town : His Filly, Fran's Valentine, Wins in Santa Susana Stakes by 2 1/2 Lengths Before 66,883 By". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  7. "LAS VIRGENES STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  8. "Santa Anita Park - February 6, 2021 - Race 3" (PDF). www.equibase.com. 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  9. "2020 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  10. "2019 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  11. "2018 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 4)". Equibase. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  12. "2017 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6)". Equibase. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  13. "2016 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  14. "2015 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  15. "2014 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  16. "2013 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  17. "2012 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  18. "2011 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  19. "2010 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  20. "2009 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 7 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  21. "2008 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  22. "2007 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  23. "2006 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 February 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  24. "2005 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 February 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  25. "2004 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 2004. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  26. "2003 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 February 2003. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  27. "2002 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 February 2002. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  28. "2001 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 February 2001. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  29. "2000 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 12 February 2000. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  30. "1999 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 13 February 1999. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  31. "1998 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  32. "1997 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 February 1997. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  33. "1996 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 February 1996. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  34. "1995 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 February 1995. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  35. "1994 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 February 1994. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  36. "1993 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 February 1993. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  37. "1992 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 February 1992. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  38. "1991 Las Virgenes Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 February 1991. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  39. Mieszerski, Bob (25 February 1990). "Cheval Volant First, ... (1990 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 24 February 1990)". Los Angeles Times. p. 97. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  40. Christine, Bill (19 February 1989). "Kool Arrival Wins to, ... (1989 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 18 February 1989)". Los Angeles Times. p. 71. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  41. Christine, Bill (21 February 1988). "Match Is Perfect: Goodbye Halo Finishes on Top (1988 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 20 February 1988)". Los Angeles Times. p. 60. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  42. "Blinkers Make Difference for Timely Assertion, Very Subtle (1987 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 21 February 1987)". Los Angeles Times. 22 February 1987. p. 124. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  43. "Lukas fillies finish 1-2 in Las Virgenes Stakes (1986 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 1 March 1986)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 2 March 1986. p. 124. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  44. "Fran's Valentine Beats a Jinx in Winning Las Virgenes Stakes (1985 Las Virgenes Stakes - race 8: held 2 March 1985)". Los Angeles Times. 3 March 1985. p. 48. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
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