Lexington Stakes (Keeneland)

The Lexington Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt run annually in April during at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky during their spring meeting. The event currently offers a purse of $400,000.[1]

Lexington Stakes
Grade III race
LocationKeeneland Race Course
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
InauguratedInitial: 1936–1942
Reestablished: 1973 (as Calumet Purse)
Race typeThoroughbredFlat racing
SponsorStonestreet Farm (since 2017)
Websitewww.keeneland.com
Race information
Distance1+116 miles
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight123 lbs with allowances
PurseUS$400,000 (since 2022)

History

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First running of the event was on 24 October 1936, closing day of Keeneland's inaugural fall meeting as a six furlong race for two-year-olds and was won by Manhasset Stable's White Tie who ran as an entry with Greentree Stable's Tattered (finished 5th) winning by in a time of 1:12 flat.[2] In 1938 the conditions of the event were changed to a handicap for horses three-years-old and older and the distance set at 1+18 miles.[3] In 1940 the distance was extended to 1+14 miles for two runnings in which Joe DeSoto's Steel Heels won both events including setting a new track record in 1941.[4] In October 1942, Keeneland held its last meeting due to the track being closed during World War II, the event was run as the Lexington Purse over a distance of 1+116 miles.[5]

In 1973 Keeneland schedule an overnight allowance event as the Calumet Purse for three year old horses which was held in April during the Spring meeting prior to the signature event of the meeting - Blue Grass Stakes. The event was named after Calumet Farm, a Thoroughbred breeding and training farm in Lexington. The 1975 winner of the event, Master Derby not only completed this double but later in May of that year also won the middle leg of the U.S Triple Crown, Preakness Stakes.

In 1984 the event was renamed to the Lexington Stakes.[5]

In 1986 the event was upgrade by the American Graded Stakes Committee to Grade III.[6] Two years later the event was once again upgraded to Grade II and held this classification until 2010.

In 1989 the event has been scheduled after the Blue Grass Stakes and it is rare now that horses will run in both events.

The race was downgraded to Grade III status for 2011.[7]

Since 2013 the event has been the last race with qualification points for the Road to the Kentucky Derby as a Wild Card event.

The event was not held 2020 during Keeneland's spring meeting which was moved to July and shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[8]

Records

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Speed record

Margins

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Most wins by an owner

  • 2 – Junius W. Bell (1941, 1942)
  • 2 – Russell L. Reineman Stable (1986, 1990)
  • 2 – Bob Lewis & Beverly Lewis (1999, 2003)
  • 2 – Fern Circle Stables (2017, 2021)
  • 2 – Godolphin (2023, 2024)

Winners

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Lexington Stakes
2024 Encino 3 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Godolphin 1+116 miles 1:43.93 $365,500 III [9]
2023 First Mission 3 Luis Saez Brad H. Cox Godolphin 1+116 miles 1:43.74 $398,750 III [10]
2022 Tawny Port 3 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Peachtree Stable 1+116 miles 1:45.24 $398,750 III [11]
2021 King Fury 3 Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenneth G. McPeek Fern Circle Stables & Three Chimneys Farm 1+116 miles 1:43.50 $200,000 III [12]
2020 Race not held
2019 Owendale 3 Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Rupp Racing 1+116 miles 1:44.14 $200,000 III [13]
2018 My Boy Jack 3 Kent J. Desormeaux J. Keith Desormeaux Don't Tell My Wife Stables & Monomoy Stables 1+116 miles 1:44.22 $200,000 III [14]
2017 Senior Investment 3 Channing Hill Kenneth G. McPeek Fern Circle Stables 1+116 miles 1:45.05 $200,000 III [15]
2016 Collected 3 Javier Castellano Bob Baffert Speedway Stable 1+116 miles 1:43.33 $150,000 III [16]
2015 Divining Rod 3 Julien R. Leparoux Arnaud Delacour Lael Stables 1+116 miles 1:43.29 $250,000 III [17]
2014 Mr. Speaker 3 Jose Lezcano Claude R. McGaughey III Phipps Stable 1+116 miles 1:44.18 $200,000 III [18]
2013 Winning Cause 3 Julien R. Leparoux Todd A. Pletcher Alto Racing 1+116 miles 1:43.93 $200,000 III [19]
2012 All Squared Away 3 Julio A. Garcia Wesley A. Ward Altamira Racing Stable & Wire to Wire Racing 1+116 miles 1:42.55 $200,000 III [20]
2011 Derby Kitten 3 Julien R. Leparoux Michael J. Maker Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey 1+116 miles 1:42.03 $200,000 III [21]
2010 Exhi 3 Robby Albarado Todd A. Pletcher Wertheimer et Frère 1+116 miles 1:44.38 $300,000 II [22]
2009 Advice 3 Garrett K. Gomez Todd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm 1+116 miles 1:43.33 $300,000 II [23]
2008 Behindatthebar 3 David R. Flores Todd A. Pletcher Padua Stables, Michael Shustek & W. Don Stanley 1+116 miles 1:42.14 $325,000 II [24]
2007 Slew's Tizzy 3 Robby Albarado Gregory Fox Joseph LaCombe Stable 1+116 miles 1:43.20 $325,000 II [25]
2006 Showing Up 3 Cornelio Velasquez Barclay Tagg Lael Stables 1+116 miles 1:46.42 $325,000 II [26]
2005 Coin Silver 3 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Peachtree Stable 1+116 miles 1:45.76 $325,000 II [27]
2004 Quintons Gold Rush 3 Jerry D. Bailey Steven M. Asmussen Padua Stables & Jay Manoogian 1+116 miles 1:43.82 $325,000 II [28]
2003 Scrimshaw 3 Edgar S. Prado D. Wayne Lukas Bob Lewis & Beverly Lewis 1+116 miles 1:45.47 $363,675 II [29]
2002 Proud Citizen 3 Mike E. Smith D. Wayne Lukas Robert C. Baker, David Cornstein & William L. Mack 1+116 miles 1:44.58 $364,650 II [30]
2001 Keats 3 Larry Melancon Niall M. O'Callaghan Henry E. Pabst 1+116 miles 1:43.54 $371,475 II [31]
2000 Unshaded 3 Shane Sellers Carl A. Nafzger James Tafel 1+116 miles 1:43.60 $357,400 II [32]
1999 Charismatic 3 Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Robert Lewis & Beverly Lewis 1+116 miles 1:41.00 $378,700 II [33]
1998 Classic Cat 3 Robby Albarado David C. Cross Jr. Gary M. Garber 1+116 miles 1:42.80 $368,225 II [34]
1997 Touch Gold 3 Gary L. Stevens David E. Hofmans Frank Stronach & Stonerside Stable 1+116 miles 1:43.20 $188,650 II [35]
1996 City by Night 3 Shane Sellers Patrick B. Byrne Nancy & Richard Kaster 1+116 miles 1:42.20 $199,150 II [36]
1995 Star Standard 3 Pat Day Nicholas P. Zito William J. Condren & Joseph Cornacchia 1+116 miles 1:45.00 $161,100 II [37]
1994 Southern Rhythm 3 Garrett K. Gomez James O. Keefer William Heiligbrodt, et al. 1+116 miles 1:45.60 $137,250 II [38]
1993 Grand Jewel 3 Jerry D. Bailey Neil J. Howard William S. Farish III & William S. Kilroy 1+116 miles 1:43.60 $140,675 II [39]
1992 My Luck Runs North 3 Ricardo D. Lopez Angel M. Medina Melvin A. Benitez 1+116 miles 1:44.00 $137,050 II [40]
1991 Hansel 3 Jerry D. Bailey Frank L. Brothers Lazy Lane Farms 1+116 miles 1:42.60 $133,450 II [41]
1990 Home At Last 3 Jerry D. Bailey Carl A. Nafzger Russell L. Reineman Stable 1+116 miles 1:43.40 $112,900 II [42]
1989 Notation 3 Pat Day James W. Murphy Joan C. Johnson 1+116 miles 1:44.40 $110,250 II [43]
1988 Risen Star 3 Jacinto Vasquez Louie J. Roussel III Louie J. Roussel III & Ronnie Lamarque 1+116 miles 1:42.80 $105,600 II [44]
1987 War 3 Herb McCauley D. Wayne Lukas Tom Gentry 1+116 miles 1:44.40 $147,950 III [45]
1986 § Wise Times 3 K. Keith Allen Philip A. Gleaves Russell L. Reineman Stable 1+116 miles 1:44.80 $110,450 III [46]
1985 Stephan's Odyssey 3 Laffit Pincay Jr. Woodford C. Stephens Henryk de Kwiatkowski 1+116 miles 1:42.60 $53,500 [47]
1984 He Is A Great Deal 3 Julio C. Espinoza Bernard S. Flint Bernard S. Flint & Michael Palmisano 1+116 miles 1:45.40 $53,000 [48]
Calumet Purse
1983 Highland Park 3 Jacinto Vasquez Anthony L. Basile Bwamazon Farm & Brereton C. Jones 1+116 miles 1:44.80 $27,400 [49]
1982 Stage Reviewer 3 Jerry D. Bailey Lucien Laurin Mrs. Lucien Laurin 1+116 miles 1:44.20 $30,200 [50]
1981 Swinging Light 3 Dan Delahoussaye James P. Conway Edgar Zantker 1+116 miles 1:44.20 $25,000 [51]
1980 Rockhill Native 3 John Oldham Herbert K. Stevens Harry A. Oak 1+116 miles 1:43.40 $24,500 [52]
1979 Pianist 3 Michael Morgan Peter M. Howe Pillar Farm 1+116 miles 1:43.00 $23,600 [53]
1978 Sensitive Prince 3 Mickey Solomone H. Allen Jerkens Joseph Taub 1+116 miles 1:44.80 $15,000 [54]
1977 Giboulee 3 Jeffrey Fell Jacques Dumas Jean-Louis Levesque 1+116 miles 1:42.80 $15,000 [55]
1976 No Link 3 Darrel McHargue Douglas Davis Jr. Fred Selz & Gus Blass 1+116 miles 1:43.20 $15,000 [56]
1975 Master Derby 3 Darrel McHargue Smiley Adams Golden Chance Farm 1+116 miles 1:42.60 $15,000 [57]
1974 Satan's Hills 3 David E. Whited Peter W. Salmen Jr. Crimson King Farm 1+116 miles 1:43.00 $12,500 [58]
1973 † Our Native 3 Don Brumfield William Resseguet Jr. Mrs. Elizabeth Prichard, Edward W. Thomas & William Resseguet Jr. 1+116 miles 1:42.80 $12,500 [59]
1943–1972 Race not held
Lexington Purse
1942 Technician 6 Ovie Scurlock Ross O. Higdon Woolford Farm 1+116 miles 1:46.80 $2,500 [60]
Lexington Handicap
1941 Steel Heels 5 Jimmy George Frank P. Letellier Junius W. Bell 1+14 miles 2:03.40 $2,500 [4]
1940 Steel Heels 4 Albert Snider Frank P. Letellier Junius W. Bell 1+14 miles 2:04.20 $2,500 [61]
1939 Chief Onaway 3 Eddie Arcaro Richard T. Watts Lawrence Barker 1+18 miles 1:50.40 $2,000 [62]
1938 Tunica 3 George South Charles C. Norman Joe DeSopo 1+18 miles 1:49.40 $1,975 [3]
Lexington Stakes
1937 Co-Sport 2 Porter Roberts Richard T. Runnels Benjamin Friend 6 furlongs 1:12.80 $4,050 [63]
1936 § White Tie 2 Joseph Cowley John M. Gaver Sr. Manhasset Stable 6 furlongs 1:12.00 $3,675 [2]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Dirt
Notes:
† In the 1973 running of the event, Starkers finished first but was disqualified for interference and was placed second. Our Native was declared the winner.
§ Ran as part of an entry

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Keeneland Condition Book". Equibse. 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b "White Tie wins Lexington Stakes – (race 5: held 24 October 1936)". Cincinnati Enquirer. 25 October 1936. p. 25. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b Dunn, Neville (16 October 1938). "Tunica Smashes Track Record – (race 5: held 15 October 1938)". Lexington Herald. p. 56. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b Kimbourgh, Babe (8 October 1941). "Steel Heels Wins Lexington Handicap As Fall Meeting Opens At Keeneland; 6,000 Fans Witness Initial Card – (race 5: held 7 October 1941)". Lexington Herald. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b "LEXINGTON STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (Gr. 3)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. ^ BloodHorse Staff (2 December 2010). "Blood Horse: 2011 Graded Stakes: 13 Fewer Than '10".
  8. ^ King, Byron (22 May 2020). "Keeneland Applies to Run Summer Meet July 8–12". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  9. ^ "2024 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  10. ^ "2023 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  11. ^ "2022 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  12. ^ "2021 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  13. ^ "2019 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  14. ^ "2018 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  15. ^ "2017 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  16. ^ "2016 Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. ^ "2015 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  18. ^ "2014 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  19. ^ "2013 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  20. ^ "2012 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  21. ^ "2011 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  22. ^ "2010 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  23. ^ "2009 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 18 April 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  24. ^ "2008 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  25. ^ "2007 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 April 2007. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  26. ^ "2006 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 April 2006. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  27. ^ "2005 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  28. ^ "2004 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  29. ^ "2003 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  30. ^ "2002 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 April 2002. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  31. ^ "2001 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 April 2001. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  32. ^ "2000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 22 April 2000. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  33. ^ "1999 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 April 1999. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  34. ^ "1998 Coolmore Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 April 1998. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  35. ^ "1997 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 20 April 1997. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  36. ^ "1996 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 April 1996. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  37. ^ "1995 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 April 1995. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  38. ^ "1994 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 24 April 1994. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  39. ^ "1993 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 April 1993. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  40. ^ "1992 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 April 1992. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  41. ^ "1991 Lexington Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 April 1991. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  42. ^ Rees, Jennie (25 April 1990). "Home At Last takes Lexington Stakes – (race 8: held 24 April 1990)". The Courier-Journal. p. 32. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  43. ^ Rees, Jennie (26 April 1989). "Notation wins, may get a run for roses – (race 8: held 25 April 1989)". The Courier-Journal. p. 36. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  44. ^ Rees, Jennie (17 April 1988). "Risen Star post upset in Lexington Stakes – (race 8: held 16 April 1988)". The Courier-Journal. p. 41. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  45. ^ Rees, Jennie (12 April 1987). "War wins battle in Lexington Stakes as favorites fail – (race 7: held 11 April 1987)". The Courier-Journal. p. 14. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  46. ^ Wall, Maryjean (13 April 1986). "Wise Times pulls upset in Lexington – (race 7: held 12 April 1986)". Lexington Herald-Leader. pp. 22, 31. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  47. ^ Rees, Jennie (17 April 1985). "Stephan's Odyssey presents Derby case in Lexington – (race 8: held 16 April 1985)". The Courier-Journal. p. 35. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  48. ^ Reed, Billy (18 April 1984). "He Is A Great Deal exactly that in swamping Swale – (race 8: held 17 April 1984)". The Courier-Journal. p. 35. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  49. ^ Reed, Billy (20 April 1983). "Highland Park wins but fails to boost Derby stock – (race 7: held 19 April 1983)". The Courier-Journal. pp. 11, 12. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  50. ^ Phelps, Frank T. (14 April 1982). "Stage Reviewer Upsets Favorite in Calumet – (race 7: held 13 April 1982)". Lexington Leader. p. 46. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  51. ^ Phelps, Frank T. (15 April 1981). "Swinging Light scores heady win – (race 7: held 14 April 1981)". Lexington Leader. p. 20. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  52. ^ Reed, Billy (16 April 1980). "Rockhill Native's romp in Calumet delights Stevens – (race 7: held 15 April 1980)". The Courier-Journal. p. 37. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  53. ^ "Pillar Farm's Pianist Captures First in Keeneland's Calumet – (race 7: held 17 April 1979)". The Courier-Journal. Staff Wire Dispatches. 18 April 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  54. ^ Adair, Bob (19 April 1978). "'Prince' is no pauper in Calumet romp – (race 7: held 18 April 1978)". The Courier-Journal. p. 53. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  55. ^ Adair, Bob (19 April 1977). "Giboulee nips Run Dusty Run by a nose – (race 7: held 18 April 1977)". The Courier-Journal. p. 45. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  56. ^ Phelps, Frank T. (14 April 1976). "Missing Link; Calumet Field Follows A Non-Derby Eligible – (race 7: held 13 April 1976)". Lexington Leader. p. 23. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  57. ^ Phelps, Frank T. (16 April 1975). "Master Derby Breezes To Calumet Purse Win – (race 7: held 15 April 1975)". Lexington Leader. p. 9. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  58. ^ Bolus, Jim (17 April 1974). "Satan's Hills wins Derby prep by neck, gains Whited's praise – (race 7: held 16 April 1974)". The Courier-Journal. p. 36. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  59. ^ Philips, Frank T. (18 April 1973). "Our Native Wins Calumet After Stewards' Ruling Downs Stakers – (race 7: held 17 April 1973)". Lexington Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  60. ^ "Technician Wins By Nose; Takes Lexington Purse On Keeneland's Opening Day; Moscow II finishes Second, Three Lengths Ahead Of Gramps – (race 5: held 13 October 1942)". Baltimore Sun. The Associated Press. 14 October 1942. p. 19. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  61. ^ Dunn, Neville (9 October 1940). "...; Steel Heels Pays $46.80 – (race 5: held 8 October 1940)". Lexington Herald. pp. 6, 7. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  62. ^ Dunn, Neville (15 October 1939). "9,000 Fans See Chief Onaway Win Feature – (race 5: held 14 October 1939)". Lexington Herald. pp. 11, 17. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  63. ^ "8,000 Throng Keeneland Co-Sport wins Lexington Stakes – (race 5: held 16 October 1937)". The Courier-Journal. 17 October 1937. p. 56. Retrieved 31 March 2021.