# Monrovia Stakes

The Monrovia Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, four years old and older over a distance of about 6+1⁄2 furlongs on the downhill turf course scheduled annually in April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

## History

The event was inaugurated in 1968 as the Monrovia Handicap.
When conditions are too wet the Los Angeles Turf Club on discretion has moved the event to the dirt track. This has happened on several occasions including 1969, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1989, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2019.
The event was run in two divisions in 1979.
The event was originally scheduled in February but the Los Angeles Turf Club in late 1999 moved the race to the start of the winter racing meet at Santa Anita whereby the race was run twice in the calendar year. The conditions of the race were modified so that three year old fillies could also enter the event. In 1999 and 2004 three year old fillies were victorious in the event.
In 2006 the club reverted to later in the 2006–2007 winter meet and consequently the event was not held in 2006. In 2007 the conditions were reverted so that only four year olds and older fillies and mares could enter. In 2017 the event was moved from January to May and the event once again allowed three year old fillies to enter.
The race is named after Monrovia, the local city near the track at Arcadia.
The race was renamed to the current name in 2011.
In 2019, the distance was shortened by over a furlong to five furlongs, and held on the dirt track due to the weather. In 2020 the event was extended to 5+1⁄2 furlongs and the following year was held at 6+1⁄2 furlongs.
In 2023 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. However, the event was moved to the dirt and subsequently was downgraded to a Listed event.

## Records

Speed record:
* abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:11.14 – Pontchatrain (2014)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 - William Haggin Perry (1969, 1979)
* 2 - Fred W. Hooper (1972, 1975)
* 2 - Bernard J. Ridder (1976, 1977)
* 2 - Ann & Jerry Moss (1985, 1988)
* 2 - William de Burgh (1991, 2010)
Most wins:
* 2 - Winter Solstice (1976, 1977)
* 2 - Mizdirection (2012, 2013)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 - Kent Desormeaux (1991, 2000, 2001, 2015)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 3 - Charles E. Whittingham (1979, 1981, 1989)
* 3 - Robert J. Frankel (1985, 1988, 2009)
* 3 - Richard E. Mandella (1986, 2001, 2019)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Monrovia Stakes |||||||||||
| 2024 | Ag Bullet | 4 | Umberto Rispoli | Richard Baltas | Calvin Nguyen & Joey C. Tran | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.67 | $101,000 | III | |
| 2023 | Elm Drive | 4 | Ramon Vazquez | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.56 | $201,000 | Listed | |
| 2022 | Brooke Marie | 6 | Juan Hernandez | Eddie Kenneally | Castleton Lyons | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.42 | $200,500 | II | |
| 2021 | Venetian Harbor | 4 | Mario Gutierrez | Richard Baltas | Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm & Domenic Savides | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.06 | $201,500 | II | |
| 2020 | Jolie Olimpica (BRZ) | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Richard E. Mandella | Fox Hill Farms (Rick Porter) | 5+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:01.11 | $201,000 | II | |
| 2019 | S Y Sky | 5 | Drayden Van Dyke | Philip D'Amato | Nicholas B. Alexander | 5 furlongs | 0:57.54 | $200,702 | III | |
| 2018 | Belvoir Bay (GB) | 5 | Victor Espinoza | Peter L. Miller | Team Valor International & Gary Barber | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.80 | $201,380 | II | |
| 2017 | Illuminant | 5 | Flavien Prat | Michael W. McCarthy | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Head of Plains Partners, SF Racing | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.13 | $201,035 | II | |
| 2016 | Prize Exhibit (GB) | 4 | Santiago Gonzalez | James M. Cassidy | DP Racing | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.96 | $201,500 | II | |
| 2015 | Shrinking Violet | 5 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Wesley A. Ward | Wesley A. Ward | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.56 | $201,500 | II | |
| 2014 | Pontchatrain | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:11.14 | $200,500 | II | |
| 2013 | Mizdirection | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Mike Puype | Jungle Racing LLC, et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:11.94 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Mizdirection | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Mike Puype | Jungle Racing LLC, et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:11.64 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2011 | Unzip Me | 5 | Rafael Bejarano | Martin F. Jones | Harris Farms Inc., Valpredo et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.72 | $100,000 | III | |
| Monrovia Handicap |||||||||||
| 2010 | Tuscan Evening (IRE) | 5 | Rafael Bejarano | Jerry Hollendorfer | William de Burgh | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.56 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Jibboom | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.21 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2008 | Alexandra Rose (SAF) | 6 | Rafael Bejarano | Neil D. Drysdale | Team Valor | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.86 | $110,400 | III | |
| 2007 | Society Hostess | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | Christophe Clement | Moyglare Stud Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.85 | $116,100 | III | |
| 2006¶ | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 2005 | Awesome Lady | 4 | Tyler Baze | Gary Stute | Mike Cavanaugh & Gary Stute | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.77 | $112,600 | Listed | |
| 2004 | Resplendency | 3 | Casey Fusilier | Bob Baffert | Robert & Beverly Lewis | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.34 | $113,550 | Listed | |
| 2003 | Icantgoforthat | 4 | Tyler Baze | Steve Knapp | Andy Broberg & Palmer Knapp | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.07 | $109,300 | III | |
| 2002 | Lil Sister Stich | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Doug F. O'Neill | Howard, Kilgor, Koser, et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.81 | $114,700 | III | |
| 2001 | Paga (ARG) | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Richard E. Mandella | Edward C. Allred & Randall D. Hubbard | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.09 | $109,300 | III | |
| 2000 | Evening Promise (GB) | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Kathy Walsh | Richard Duggan & James R. Vreeland | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.62 | $114,400 | III | |
| 1999 (Dec.) | Show Me the Stage | 3 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Eric Guillot | Brian Cain, Eric Guillot & Terry LeBlanc | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.14 | $104,762 | III | |
| 1999 (Jan.) | Desert Lady (IRE) | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Wallace Dollase | The Thoroughbred Corp. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.59 | $108,500 | III | |
| 1998 | Madame Pandit | 5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Ronald L. McAnally | Janis R. Whitham | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.80 | $109,500 | III | |
| 1997 | Grab the Prize | 5 | Alex O. Solis | Darrell Vienna | Ernest Auerbach | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.89 | $106,900 | III | |
| 1996 | Klassy Kim | 5 | Goncalino Almeida | Melvin F. Stute | Bill M. Thomas | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.48 | $105,650 | III | |
| 1995 | Rabiadella | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | J. Michael Orman | Stonehenge Stables | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.92 | $81,200 | III | |
| 1994 | Mamselle Bebette | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Jack Van Berg | Big Train Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.35 | $83,400 | III | |
| 1993 | Glen Kate (IRE) | 6 | Corey Black | Bill Shoemaker | Wayne Gretzky & Bruce McNall | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.89 | $82,400 | III | |
| 1992 | Middlefork Rapids | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Terry Knight | Dame Construction Co., Inc. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.55 | $84,900 | III | |
| 1991 | Wedding Bouquet (IRE) | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Gary F. Jones | William de Burgh (Lessee) | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.80 | $85,625 | III | |
| 1990 | Down Again | 6 | Corey Black | Richard J. Cross | Larry Robinson & Summa Stable | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.00 | $83,950 | III | |
| 1989 | Daloma (FR) | 5 | Fernando H. Valenzuela | Charles E. Whittingham | Enemy Stables & Mandysland Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.20 | $83,300 | Listed | |
| 1988 | Aberuschka (IRE) | 6 | Gary L. Stevens | Robert J. Frankel | Ann & Jerry Moss | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.60 | $83,800 | Listed | |
| 1987 | Sari's Heroine | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Melvin F. Stute | Carl E. Grinstead & Ben Rochelle | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.00 | $65,400 | Listed | |
| 1986 | Water Crystals | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Richard E. Mandella | Bruce Steinberg | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.60 | $67,100 | Listed | |
| 1985 | Lina Cavalieri (GB) | 5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert J. Frankel | Ann & Jerry Moss | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.00 | $66,650 | Listed | |
| 1984 | Tangent (NZ) | 4 | Julio A. Garcia | Wayne Murty | Bacchus, Harrison, McGee, et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.60 | $69,950 | Listed | |
| 1983 | Matching | 5 | Ray Sibille | Steven L. Morguelan | Glencrest Farm & Morguelan | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.20 | $67,600 | Listed | |
| 1982 | Cat Girl | 4 | Chris McCarron | Edwin J. Gregson | Windblown Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.60 | $68,250 | Listed | |
| 1981 | Kilijaro (IRE) | 5 | Marco Castaneda | Charles E. Whittingham | Serge Fradkoff | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.40 | $57,450 | Listed | |
| 1980 | Fondre | 5 | Frank Olivares | John W. Fulton | William L. Currin & William R. Hawn | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.20 | $45,500 | Listed | |
| 1979 | Camarado | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Nelson Bunker Hunt | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.40 | $36,400 | Listed | Division 1 |
| 1979 | Palmistry | 4 | Chris McCarron | Willard L. Proctor | William Haggin Perry | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.20 | $36,000 | Listed | Division 2 |
| 1978 | Little Happiness | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.00 | $44,200 | Listed | |
| 1977 | Winter Solstice | 5 | Mark S. Sellers | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.60 | $45,600 | Listed | |
| 1976 | Winter Solstice | 4 | Jerry Lambert | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:17.60 | $33,800 | Listed | |
| 1975 | †Special Goddess | 4 | Sandy Hawley | Robert Smith | Fred W. Hooper | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.80 | $34,200 | Listed | |
| 1974 | Viva La Vivi | 4 | Donald Pierce | Harold Hodosh | Alix Brotman & Malibu Stable | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.00 | $29,050 | Listed | |
| 1973 | Tizna (CHI) | 4 | Fernando Toro | Henry M. Moreno | Regal Enterprises Inc. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.80 | $36,200 | Listed | |
| 1972 | Mia Mood | 4 | Victor Tejada | John W. Russell | Fred W. Hooper | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.00 | $33,850 | | |
| 1971 | Atomic Wings | 4 | Robby Kilborn | James I. Nazworthy | Sledge Stable (Maxine Nazworthy) | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.40 | $29,100 | | |
| 1970 | Beautiful Dream | 5 | Jerry Lambert | Joseph S. Dunn | J. T. Jones | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.20 | $23,750 | | |
| 1969 | Morgaise | 4 | Donald R. Pierce | James W. Maloney | William Haggin Perry | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $22,500 | | |
| 1968 | Mellow Marsh | 5 | Mario Valenzuela | Jay Saladin | Edward C. Flynn | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.40 | $29,500 | | |
Legend:
 Turf  Dirt
Notes:
¶ Not held due to change of scheduling during the winter meet
† Viva La Vivi won the race but was disqualified and placed last for interference