Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes
Horse race
Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four and older at a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the turf run annually in early March at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans , Louisiana . The event currently offers a purse of $300,000.
History
The inaugural running of the event was on 28 March 1992 as the Explosive Bid Handicap named after the 1984 winner of the Louisiana Handicap , Explosive Bid.[ 1]
In 1994 the event was run in two split divisions.[ 2]
In 1996 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the event to Grade III [ 3] and once more to Grade II in 2001.[ 3]
In December 2003 the Louisiana Racing Commission agreed to honor Mervyn R. Muniz, Jr., a longtime racing secretary at Fair Grounds Race Course who died in 2003 by renaming the event to the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap [ 4]
There was no race in 2006 due to after effects of Hurricane Katrina which had damaged the Fair Grounds race track and moved the shortened meeting that season to Louisiana Downs.
The 2019 winner of the event Bricks and Mortar continued his successful undefeated season enroute to being crowned US Champion Male Turf Horse and US Horse of the Year .
In 2020 the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance with the name of the race modified to Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes .[ 2]
Records
Speed record:
1:47.21 - Factor This (2020)
Margins:
6 lengths - Joyeux Danseur (1998)
Most wins:
2 - Proudinsky (GER) (2008, 2009)
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a trainer :
Most wins by a jockey :
Winners
Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Purse
Grade
Ref
Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes
2024
I'm Very Busy
4
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Chad C. Brown
Team Hanley, Richard Schermerhorn & Paul Braverman
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.57
$300,000
II
[ 5]
2023
Spooky Channel
8
Joel Rosario
Jason Barkley
NBS Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:54.11
$300,000
II
[ 6]
2022
Two Emmys
6
James Graham
Hugh H. Robertson
Wolfe Racing & Hugh H. Robertson
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.83
$300,000
II
[ 7]
2021
Colonel Liam
4
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Todd A. Pletcher
Lawana L. & Robert E. Low
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.33
$300,000
II
[ 8]
2020
Factor This
5
Shaun Bridgmohan
Brad H. Cox
Gaining Ground Racing
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.21
$300,000
II
[ 9]
Muniz Memorial Handicap
2019
Bricks and Mortar
5
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Chad C. Brown
Klaravich Stables Inc. & William Lawrence
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.44
$291,000
II
[ 10]
2018
Synchrony
5
Joe Bravo
Michael Stidham
Pin Oak Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.59
$300,000
II
[ 11]
2017
Enterprising
6
Tyler Gaffalione
Michael J. Maker
Maxis Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.41
$300,000
II
[ 12]
2016
Take the Stand (ARG)
5
Edgar S. Prado
William I. Mott
Earle I. Mack, Wachtel Stable & Brous Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.80
$300,000
II
[ 13]
Mervin H. Muniz Jr Memorial Handicap
2015
Chocolate Ride
5
Joseph Talamo
Brad H. Cox
John Wentworth
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.18
$291,000
II
[ 14]
2014
Skyring
5
Joseph Rocco Jr.
D. Wayne Lukas
Calumet Farm
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:52.01
$288,000
II
[ 15]
2013
Amira's Prince (IRE)
4
Junior Alvarado
William I. Mott
Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barber
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.76
$400,000
II
[ 16]
2012
Casino Host
4
John R. Velazquez
Chad C. Brown
Mary & Gary West
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.87
$400,000
II
[ 17]
2011
Smart Bid
5
Edgar S. Prado
H. Graham Motion
Augustin Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.97
$400,000
II
[ 18]
2010
Blues Street
6
Javier Castellano
Todd A. Pletcher
Anstu Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.10
$300,000
II
[ 19]
2009
Proudinsky (GER)
6
Victor Espinoza
Robert J. Frankel
Johanna Louise Glen-Teven
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.94
$500,000
II
[ 20]
2008
Proudinsky (GER)
5
Garrett K. Gomez
Robert J. Frankel
Gary A. Tanaka
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.44
$500,000
II
[ 21]
2007
Einstein (BRZ)
5
Robby Albarado
Helen Pitts-Blasi
Midnight Cry Stable
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.57
$500,000
II
[ 22]
2006
Race not held
2005
† A to the Z
5
Victor Espinoza
Paula S. Capestro
Andrew & Paula Capestro
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.99
$500,000
II
[ 23]
2004
Mystery Giver
6
Robby Albarado
Richard R. Scherer
Team Block
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.29
$500,000
II
[ 24]
Explosive Bid Handicap
2003
Candid Glen
6
Elvis Joseph Perrodin
Andrew Leggio Jr.
Glen C. Warren
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:51.15
$650,000
II
[ 25]
2002
Sarafan
5
Corey Nakatani
Neil D. Drysdale
Gary A. Tanaka
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.88
$700,000
II
[ 26]
2001
Tijiyr (IRE)
5
Robby Albarado
Niall M. O'Callaghan
Gary A. Tanaka
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.72
$600,000
II
[ 27]
2000
Brave Act (GB)
6
Cash Asmussen
Ron McAnally
Sidney Craig
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.98
$600,000
III
[ 28]
1999
Lord Smith (GB)
4
Garrett K. Gomez
Bruce L. Jackson
Michael Boich, David & Linda Kruse
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:51.27
$663,600
III
[ 29]
1998
Joyeux Danseur
5
Robby Albarado
Albert Stall Jr.
B. Wayne Hughes
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.30
$373,300
III
[ 30]
1997
Always a Classic
4
Eddie Martin Jr.
Mark R. Frostad
Sam-Son Farm
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:54.83
$219,950
III
[ 31]
1996
Kazabaiyn
6
Kent J. Desormeaux
Robert B. Hess Jr.
Jeremys Stable, et al
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.80
$155,325
III
[ 32]
1995
Earl of Barking (IRE)
5
Goncalino Almeida
Richard J. Cross
Henry E. Pabst
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:52.01
$155,625
Listed
[ 33]
1994
Pride of Summer
6
Robert King Jr.
Anthony J. Bizelia
TOC Stable, Patrick J. Purcell, et al
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.59
$127,375
Listed
Division 1 [ 34]
Snake Eyes
4
Brent E. Bartram
Steven L. Morguelan
Melvin Isenstein
1:49.41
$127,170
Division 2 [ 35]
1993
Coaxing Matt
4
Eddie Martin Jr.
Neil L. Pessin
Elmer E. Miller
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:50.80
$78,350
Listed
[ 36]
1992
‡ Slick Groom
4
Kirk Paul LeBlanc
Donald J. Cormier Sr.
Albert Pusch
abt. 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:52.60
$52,650
Listed
[ 37]
Notes:
† In the 2005 running of the event longshot Rapid Proof was first past the post. However, after a positive test for dexamethasone Rapid Proof was disqualified, and A to the Z was declared the winner with all prizemoney redistributed according to the adjusted finishing order[ 38]
‡ In the 1992 inaugural running, City Ballet was first past the post but was disqualified and place sixth for interference in the straight and Slick Groom was declared the winner.
See also
References