La Brea Stakes
Horse race
The La Brea Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track held annually in late December at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California , USA . The event currently offers a purse of US$300,000.
History
The event is named for the area in Southern California called La Brea, noted for the La Brea Tar Pits in the middle of the city of Los Angeles . The word "brea" is Spanish for tar .
The inaugural running of the event was on 16 January 1974 for four-year-old horses over a distance of 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles and was won by Mr. & Mrs Carl Galea's 11/1 longshot Niner Power by a margin of 2+ 1 ⁄2 lengths over First Majesty with Handsome Native 1 ⁄2 length back in third in a time of 1:434 ⁄5 .[ 1] The event was held in 1975 in January for four-year-olds again with Bobby Murcer winning.[ 2] However, track management scheduled the event for the 1975–76 Santa Anita Winter meet in December for three-year-old horses and when it came time to the draw entries for the race the event was split into divisions. Hence, for the 1975 calendar year the event was raced three times. In 1976 the event was held on the last day of the year for three-year-olds and the winner Kirby Lane would go on the following year and win the Grade II San Antonio Stakes and the Grade I Charles H. Strub Stakes .[ 3]
For the next season's winter meeting, Santa Anita scheduled the event in January and that the conditions of the event were for four-year-old fillies at a shorter distance of seven furlongs. Therefore, for the calendar year 1977, the event was not held.[ 4] The first running as a fillies event the winner was Taisez Vous by an easy 6 lengths.[ 5]
The La Brea Stakes was part of Santa Anita Park's La Cañada Series of races open to newly turning/turned 4-year-old fillies and run at an increasing distance. The series begins with the La Brea Stakes at 7 furlongs followed by the Grade II El Encino Stakes at 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles in mid January, then the Grade II La Cañada Stakes at 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles in mid February. Until the series ended in 2011 when the El Encino Stakes was discontinued, only three fillies had ever won all three races: Taisez Vous (1978), Mitterand (1985), and Got Koko (2003). The Santa Anita Park counterpart series for male horses is the Strub Series .
Due to the scheduling near the New Year period, the event was sometimes scheduled in late December as a three-year-old fillies event or in early January as a four-year-old fillies event, such as in 1982, 1985 and 1990 and thus the event would not be held in the calendar year - 1984 and 1986.[ 4]
American Triple Crown winner Secretariat 's daughter Terlingua won this event in 1980. Later as a broodmare her offspring included a champion sire in Storm Cat (1999, 2000).
In 1983 the American Graded Stakes Committee classified the event as Grade III .[ 4]
Also American Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew 's daughter Savannah Slew won this event in December 1985.[ 6] Although Savannah Slew retired after this event,[ 7] Lady's Secret whom she defeated into second place in 1986 had an outstanding year culminating with a victory in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Distaff and winning the U.S. Champion Older Filly award and being voted as United States Horse of the Year .
Prior to winning this event in 1988 Very Subtle had won the Grade I Breeders' Cup Sprint at Hollywood Park .[ 8] Very Subtle dispatched her opposition by a record winning margin of nine lengths which continues to date to be the largest margin of victory.[ 9]
In 1991 the event was run in split divisions for the second time and since then has been scheduled only in December.
In 1994 the event was upgraded to Grade II and to the highest classification of Grade I in 1997.[ 10]
Records
Speed record:
7 furlongs: 1:20.33 – Switch (2010)
Margins:
Most wins by a jockey :
5 – Chris McCarron (1982 (2), 1991, 1995, 1996)
5 – Gary Stevens (1987, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2013)
5 – Mike E. Smith (2004, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2019)
Most wins by a trainer :
9 – Bob Baffert (1992, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2021, 2022)
Most wins by an owner:
Winners
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Purse
Grade
Ref
2023
Daddysruby
Juan J. Hernandez
Peter L. Miller
Jethorse, Wachtel Stable & Gary Barber
7 furlongs
1:23.06
$302,000
I
[ 11]
2022
Fun to Dream
Juan J. Hernandez
Bob Baffert
Natalie J. Baffert & Connie Pageler
7 furlongs
1:21.99
$301,000
I
[ 12]
2021
Kalypso
John Velazquez
Bob Baffert
David A. Bernsen, Gainsway Stable, Rockingham Ranch & Chad Littlefield
7 furlongs
1:24.78
$301,000
I
[ 13]
2020
Fair Maiden
Ricardo Gonzalez
Eoin G. Harty
Godolphin
7 furlongs
1:22.17
$302,500
I
[ 14]
2019
Hard Not to Love
Mike E. Smith
John Shirreffs
Mercedes Stables, West Point Thoroughbreds, Scott Dilworth, Dorothy & David Ingordo & Steve F. Mooney
7 furlongs
1:22.17
$301,404
I
[ 15]
2018
Spiced Perfection
Flavien Prat
Brian J. Koriner
Dare To Dream Stable
7 furlongs
1:23.54
$301,035
I
[ 16]
2017
Unique Bella
Mike E. Smith
Jerry Hollendorfer
Don Alberto Stable
7 furlongs
1:21.49
$301,035
I
[ 17]
2016
Constellation
Flavien Prat
Jerry Hollendorfer
LNJ Foxwoods
7 furlongs
1:21.83
$301,035
I
[ 18]
2015
Birdatthewire
Mike E. Smith
Dale L. Romans
Forum Racing IV
7 furlongs
1:23.31
$301,000
I
[ 19]
2014
Sam's Sister
Elvis Trujillo
Jerry Hollendorfer
Mark Dedomenico, Jerry Hollendorfer & George Todaro
7 furlongs
1:22.52
$301,000
I
[ 20]
2013
Heir Kitty
Gary L. Stevens
Peter L. Miller
David A. Bernsen & Paul Makin
7 furlongs
1:21.47
$300,250
I
[ 21]
2012
Book Review
Rafael Bejarano
Bob Baffert
Mary & Gary West
7 furlongs
1:22.41
$300,500
I
[ 22]
2011
Teddy's Promise
Victor Espinoza
Ronald W. Ellis
Ted & Judy Nichols
7 furlongs
1:20.47
$300,000
I
[ 23]
2010
Switch
Joel Rosario
John W. Sadler
C R K Stable
7 furlongs
1:20.33
$250,000
I
[ 24]
2009
Evita Argentina
Joel Rosario
John W. Sadler
Halo Farms & Three Sisters Thoroughbreds
7 furlongs
1:21.78
$300,000
I
[ 25]
2008
Indian Blessing
John R. Velazquez
Bob Baffert
Patti & Hal J. Earnhardt
7 furlongs
1:20.89
$250,000
I
[ 26]
2007
Dearest Trickski
Mike E. Smith
John W. Sadler
Tom Mankiewicz
7 furlongs
1:21.09
$250,000
I
[ 27]
2006
Downthedustyroad
Jon Court
Bob Baffert
Zayat Stables
7 furlongs
1:21.40
$250,000
I
[ 28]
2005
Pussycat Doll
Garrett K. Gomez
Bob Baffert
Michael E. Pegram
7 furlongs
1:21.36
$250,000
I
[ 29]
2004
Alphabet Kisses
Mike E. Smith
Martin F. Jones
Harris Farms
7 furlongs
1:21.38
$250,000
I
[ 30]
2003
Island Fashion
Kent J. Desormeaux
Marcelo Polanco
Everest Stables
7 furlongs
1:22.12
$250,000
I
[ 31]
2002
Got Koko
Alex O. Solis
Bruce Headley
Aase Headley & Paul Leung
7 furlongs
1:22.57
$200,000
I
[ 32]
2001
Affluent
Eddie Delahoussaye
Ron McAnally
Janis R. Whitham
7 furlongs
1:21.29
$200,000
I
[ 33]
2000
Spain
Victor Espinoza
D. Wayne Lukas
The Thoroughbred Corporation
7 furlongs
1:22.27
$200,000
I
[ 34]
1999
Hookedonthefeelin
David R. Flores
Bob Baffert
Michael E. Pegram
7 furlongs
1:21.84
$200,000
I
[ 35]
1998
Magical Allure
Gary L. Stevens
Bob Baffert
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Mabee
7 furlongs
1:22.06
$200,000
I
[ 36]
1997
I Ain't Bluffing
Eddie Delahoussaye
Ronald W. Ellis
Samantha, Jan and Mace Siegel
7 furlongs
1:21.23
$165,900
I
[ 37]
1996
Hidden Lake
Chris McCarron
Walter R. Greenman
Dennis E. & Estate of Jim E. Weir
7 furlongs
1:22.00
$130,900
II
[ 38]
1995
Exotic Wood
Chris McCarron
Ronald W. Ellis
Pam & Martin Wygod
7 furlongs
1:21.57
$130,250
II
[ 39]
1994
Top Rung
Gary L. Stevens
Willard L. Proctor
Glen Hill Farm
7 furlongs
1:21.84
$108,700
II
[ 40]
1993
Mamselle Bebette
Corey Nakatani
Jack Van Berg
Big Train Farm
7 furlongs
1:20.45
$110,900
III
[ 41]
1992
Arches of Gold
Eddie Delahoussaye
Bob Baffert
Michael E. Pegram & Bob Roth
7 furlongs
1:21.28
$109,800
III
[ 42]
1991
D'Or Ruckus
Chris McCarron
Gerald C. Moerman
J B S Stable
7 furlongs
1:22.05
$82,550
III
Division 1 [ 43]
Teresa Mc
Pat Valenzuela
Greg Gilchrist
Harris Farms
1:23.05
$82,550
Division 2 [ 44]
1990
Brought To Mind
Alex O. Solis
Ron McAnally
Tadahiro Hotehama
7 furlongs
1:21.60
$110,000
III
December[ 45]
Akinemod
Gary L. Stevens
Jerry M. Fanning
El Rancho de Jaklin
1:21.60
$107,650
January[ 46]
1989
Variety Baby
Corey Black
Bruce Headley
Kjell H. Qvale
7 furlongs
1:21.60
$82,800
III
[ 47]
1988
Very Subtle
Pat Valenzuela
Melvin F. Stute
Ben Rochelle
7 furlongs
1:21.60
$103,500
III
[ 9]
1987
Family Style
Gary L. Stevens
D. Wayne Lukas
Eugene V. Klein
7 furlongs
1:22.60
$80,450
III
[ 48]
1986
Race not held
1985
Savannah Slew
Bill Shoemaker
Ron McAnally
Allen E. Paulson
7 furlongs
1:22.40
$66,150
III
December[ 6]
Mitterand
Eddie Delahoussaye
Randy Winick
Silver Star Stable & Randy Winick
1:21.80
$66,950
January[ 49]
1984
Race not held
1983
Lovlier Linda
Bill Shoemaker
Willard L. Proctor
William R. Hawn
7 furlongs
1:22.20
$67,700
III
[ 50]
1982
Beautiful Glass
Chris McCarron
Gary F. Jones
Golden Eagle Farm
7 furlongs
1:21.00
$69,450
December[ 51]
Nell's Briquette
Chris McCarron
Loren Rettele
Triple L. Stables
1:25.80
$67,150
January[ 52]
1981
Dynanite
Bill Shoemaker
John W. Russell
Mrs. Harold Cole
7 furlongs
1:21.40
$54,250
[ 53]
1980
Terlingua
Darrel G. McHargue
D. Wayne Lukas
Barry A. Beal & L. Robert French Jr.
7 furlongs
1:20.80
$53,850
[ 54]
1979
Great Lady M.
Laffit Pincay Jr.
D. Wayne Lukas
Robert H. Spreen
7 furlongs
1:22.60
$58,300
[ 55]
1978
Taisez Vous
Donald R. Pierce
Robert L. Wheeler
Vernon & Ann Eachus
7 furlongs
1:22.80
$44,700
[ 5]
1977
Race not held
1976
Kirby Lane
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Laz Barrera
Gedney Farms
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.20
$39,500
[ 56]
1975
Featherfoot
Bill Shoemaker
Laz Barrera
Harbor View Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.20
$22,025
December
Division 1 [ 57]
Big Destiny
Sandy Hawley
Sidney Martin
David J. Foster
1:42.80
$22,325
Division 2 [ 58]
Bobby Murcer
Eddie Belmonte
Joe Trovato
Carl Rosen
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.40
$34,300
January
[ 2]
1974
Niner Power
Steve J. Valdez
Buster Millerick
Mr. & Mrs Carl Galea
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.80
$33,850
[ 1]
Legend:
All Weather Track
Dirt
See also
List of American and Canadian Graded races
External links
References
^ a b Abbott, Bion (17 January 1974). "Pincay Back; Shoe Handed Suspension (1974 La Brea Stakes 4YOs – race 8: held 16 January 1974 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 42. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ a b "Bobby Murcer Wins Second 'Anita Race (1975 January La Brea Stakes 4YOs – race 8: held 15 January 1975 )" . Los Angeles Times . 16 January 1975. p. 54. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ "KIRBY LANE (USA) gr. H, 1973 {10-d} - 26 Starts, 7 Wins, 5 Places, 4 Shows Career Earnings: $232,957" . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ a b c "La Brea Stakes (Gr. 1)" . www.equibase.com . 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ a b Abbott, Bion (8 January 1978). "Taisez Vous Bidding for a Title (1978 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 7 January 1978 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 46. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ a b Christine, Bill (28 December 1987). "Savannah Slew Is the Spoiler Again for Lady's Secret (1985 December La Brea Stakes 3YOs – race 8: held 27 December 1987 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 37. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "Savannah Slew (KY) profile" . Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 .
^ "Very Subtle (KY) Horse profile" . Equibase. 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 .
^ a b "Very Subtle Wins La Brea Stakes (1988 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 2 January 1988 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . 3 January 1988. p. 36. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "LA BREA STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS" . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ "2023 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)" . Equibase . 26 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023 .
^ "2022 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)" . Equibase . 26 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022 .
^ "2021 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . Retrieved 27 December 2021 .
^ "2020 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 26 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2019 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 28 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2018 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)" . Equibase . 26 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2017 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 26 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2016 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 26 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2015 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 26 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2014 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)" . Equibase . 26 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2013 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)" . Equibase . 26 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2012 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)" . Equibase . 26 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2011 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 31 December 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2010 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)" . Equibase . 26 December 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2009 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 26 December 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2008 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 27 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2007 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)" . Equibase . 29 December 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2006 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 30 December 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2005 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 31 December 2005. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2004 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 27 December 2004. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2003 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 27 December 2003. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2002 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 28 December 2002. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2001 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 29 December 2001. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "2000 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 30 December 2000. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1999 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 27 December 1999. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1998 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 27 December 1998. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1997 La Brea Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 27 December 1997. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1996 La Brea Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)" . Equibase . 29 December 1996. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1995 La Brea Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 30 December 1995. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1994 La Brea Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 28 December 1994. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1993 La Brea Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 28 December 1993. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1992 La Brea Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 27 December 1992. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1991 La Brea Stakes Division 1 Grade 3 - (race 5)" . Equibase . 29 December 1991. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "1991 La Brea Stakes Division 2 Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 29 December 1991. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "Brought To Mind captures La Brea at Santa Anita (1990 December La Brea Stakes 3YOFs – race 8: held 30 December 1990 )" . Lexington Herald-Leader . The Associated Press . 31 December 1990. p. 27. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ Mieszerski, Bob (2 January 1990). "Akinemod Might Not Know It, But She Might Be Quite a Filly(1990 January La Brea Stakes 4YOFs – race 8: held 1 January 1990 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 27. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "Variety Baby Edges T.V. of Crystal To Win La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita (1989 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 1 January 1989 )" . Los Angeles Times . The Associated Press . 2 January 1989. p. 38. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "Santa Anita Racing; Family Style Wins La Brea by 6 Lengths (1987 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 3 January 1987 )" . Los Angeles Times . The Associated Press . 4 January 1987. p. 56. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "Mitterand Wins La Brea Stakes (1985 January La Brea Stakes 4YOs – race 8: held 6 January 1985 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . 7 January 1985. p. 18. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ "Lovlier Linda, Ridden by Shoemaker Wins La Brea Stakes (1983 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 31 December 1983 )" . Los Angeles Times . The Associated Press . 1 January 1984. p. 59. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ "Savannah Slew Is the Spoiler Again for Lady's Secret (1982 December La Brea Stakes 3YOs – race 8: held 31 December 1982 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . 1 January 1983. p. 35. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ "Nell's Briquette Wins Sprint at Santa Anita (1982 January La Brea Stakes 4YOFs – race 8: held 1 January 1982 )" . Los Angeles Times . 2 January 1982. p. 53. Retrieved 9 December 2021 .
^ Abbott, Bion (4 January 1981). "Shoe Gets Dynanite's Nose to Wire; Filly Beats Favored Bold 'n Determined in a Head-Bobbing Finish (1981 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 3 January 1981 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 62. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ Abbott, Bion (7 January 1980). "Terlingua Sets Another Record; McHargue Rides Filly to 2nd Victory in Anita Comeback (1980 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 6 January 1980 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 39. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ "Great Lady M. battles to La Brea Stakes win (1979 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 6 January 1979 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . 7 January 1979. p. 50. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ Abbott, Bion (1 January 1977). "A New Year's Partnership (1976 La Brea Stakes – race 8: held 31 December 1976 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 48. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ Abbott, Bion (1 January 1976). "Featherfoot Wins Stakes Share (1975 December La Brea Stakes Division 1 3YOs – race 7: held 31 December 1975 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 62. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .
^ "The Shoe closes '75 with stakes victory (1975 December La Brea Stakes Division 2 3YOs – race 8: held 31 December 1975 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . 1 January 1976. p. 58. Retrieved 10 December 2021 .