The Washington Park Futurity Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the now defunct Washington Park Race Track in Woodlawn, Chicago. A race on dirt for two-year-olds, it was first run in 1937 as a six furlong event. Placed on hiatus for two years, it returned as an annual feature in 1940.
| Discontinued stakes race | |
| Location | Washington Park Race Track Woodlawn, Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1937 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | n/a |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6.5 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $200,000 |
From 1959 through 1961 the race was hosted by Chicago's Arlington Park race track where it was run at a distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs. Made permanent at Arlington Park, the Washington Park Futurity was merged with the Arlington Futurity Stakes and is known as the Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes.
Race notes
editDuring its tenure, the Washington Park Futurity hosted some of the best horses in the United States.
- The 1941 edition was won by future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Alsab.
- In 1947, Bewitch won, Citation finished second, and Free America was third. All three horses were owned by Calumet Farm and all were trained by Jimmy Jones.[1]
- 1953 winner Hasty Road went on to win the 1954 Preakness Stakes
- 1959 winner Venetian Way won the next year's Kentucky Derby
Records
editSpeed record: (at distance of 6 furlongs)
- 1:09.60 - Swoon's Son (1955), Restless Wind (1958), Venetian Way (1959)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Bill Hartack (1956, 1957, 1961)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - John Marsch (1942, 1943, 1944)
- 3 - Fred W. Hooper (1946, 1956, 1960)