# Las Cienegas Stakes

The Las Cienegas Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and up over a distance of about six and one-half furlongs on the Hillside Turf Course held annually in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently offers a purse of US$100,000.

## History

The inaugural running of the event was on 17 February 1974 as the Las Cienegas Handicap, a sprint over the Downhill turf course over a distance of about 6+1⁄2 furlongs for horses that were four-years-old or older. The event was won by Woodland Pines who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Donald R. Pierce in a time of 1:13 flat.
The following year the event was not held.
In 1976 the event was run with conditions for three-year-olds only on the dirt track over a distance of six furlongs. The event was won by Life's Hope who later that year would win the Grade 1 Jersey Derby. In 1977 the event was scheduled in April as with handicap conditions for fillies and mares age four and up over a distance of six and one-half furlongs on the Downhill turf course. The event continued to be scheduled usually in April until 2017 when it was moved to January.
The event was upgraded in 1992 by the American Graded Stakes Committee to Grade III race. In 2013 the event's conditions were changes to a stakes allowance race and the name modified to Las Cienegas Stakes.
The event has been moved to the dirt due to weather conditions in 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
In 2012 the event was moved to the dirt track and was won by Mizdirection. Mizdirection later that year would return to Santa Anita and win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Mizdirection would repeat the unique double in 2013 again winning both events. Mizdirection is the only dual winner of the event.
Due to poor state of the Downhill turf course in 2020 and 2021 the event was held on the proper turf course at a shorter distance. On 11 January 2020, the Las Cienegas Stakes was run for the first time at a distance of 5+1⁄2 furlongs on turf. Brazilian import Jolie Olimpica, making her first start in the United States, set a new Santa Anita Park course record of 1:01 flat for that distance.
In the 2021 running of the event Charmaine's Mia set a new course record for the 6 furlong distance.

## Records

Speed record:
* about 6+1⁄2 furlongs on turf: 1:11.66 – Elusive Diva (2005)
* 6+1⁄2 furlongs on dirt: 1:14.40 – Excitable Lady (1982)
Margins:
* 8+1⁄2 lengths – Watch This Cat (2015)
Most wins:
* 2 - Mizdirection (2012, 2013)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 4 - Kent Desormeaux (1998, 2002, 2005, 2018)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 4 - Gary F. Jones (1981, 1987, 1992, 1996)
* 4 - Robert J. Frankel (1989, 2002, 2003, 2004)
* 4 - Richard E. Mandella (1997, 1999, 2016, 2020)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 - Golden Eagle Farm (1992, 1997)
* 2 - Juddmonte Farms (2003, 2004)
* 2 - Jungle Racing and partners (2012, 2013)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Las Cienegas Stakes |||||||||||
| 2025 | Toupie | 4 | Flavien Prat | H. Graham Motion | Wertheimer et Frère | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.97 | $101,500 | III | |
| 2024 | Honey Pants | 6 | Frankie Dettori | Philip D'Amato | Bakster Farm & Gerald Isbister | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.40 | $103,000 | III | |
| 2023 | Amy C (GB) | 5 | Umberto Rispoli | Philip D'Amato | Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb & Robert V. LaPenta | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.76 | $101,500 | III | |
| 2022 | Zero Tolerance | 4 | Flavien Prat | Ruben Alvarado | Custom Truck Accessories, Jason Hall, Joe Kelly & Michael Riordan | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.26 | $101,000 | III | |
| 2021 | Charmaine's Mia | 4 | Drayden Van Dyke | Philip D'Amato | Agave Racing Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:07.81 | $99,000 | III | |
| 2020 | Jolie Olimpica (BRZ) | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Richard E. Mandella | Fox Hill Farms | 5+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:01.00 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2019 | Belvoir Bay (GB) | 6 | Flavien Prat | Peter L. Miller | Gary Barber | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.06 | $98,000 | Listed | Off turf |
| 2018 | Coniah | 5 | Kent J. Desormeaux | William E. Morey | James W. & Tammy M. McKenney | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.17 | $100,690 | III | |
| 2017 | Watch This Cat | 5 | Corey Nakatani | Richard Baltas | Harry Bederian, Harout Kamberian & Hagop Nakkashian | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.41 | $98,000 | Listed | Off turf |
| 2016 | Dreamologist | 4 | Flavien Prat | Richard E. Mandella | LNJ Foxwoods | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.56 | $100,690 | III | Off turf |
| 2015 | Home Journey | 5 | Rafael Bejarano | Mike Puype | GGG Stables & Russell J. Sarno | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.09 | $100,750 | III | |
| 2014 | Tribal Spy | 4 | Joseph Talamo | Adam Kitchingman | Triple B Farms | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.12 | $100,500 | III | |
| 2013 | Mizdirection | 5 | David R. Flores | Mike Puype | Jungle Racing, Danny Grohs, William Strauss, Borris Beljak, KMN Racing et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.61 | $100,000 | III | |
| Las Cienegas Handicap |||||||||||
| 2012 | Mizdirection | 4 | David R. Flores | Mike Puype | Jungle Racing, William Strauss, Danny Gohs, Borris Beljak, & Kevin Nish | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.50 | $98,000 | Listed | Off turf |
| 2011 | Separate Forest | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Doug F. O'Neill | Suarez Racing, Westside Rentals.com & Darin Tsukashima | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.64 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2010 | Unzip Me | 4 | Joseph Talamo | Martin F. Jones | Harris Farms, Per Antonsen, Marin Jones & Donald Valpredo | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.80 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Gotta Have Her | 5 | Tyler Baze | Jenine Sahadi | Green Lantern Stables | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:11.92 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2008 | † Lightmyfirebaby | 5 | Alex O. Solis | Barry Abrams | Richard O'Neill Trust | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.25 | $112,700 | III | |
| 2007 | River's Prayer | 4 | Clinton L. Potts | Paula S. Capestro | Bantry Farms, Paula Capestro & Martin Racing Stable | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.99 | $108,700 | III | |
| 2006 | Cambiocorsa | 4 | Jon Court | Doug F. O'Neill | Leatherman Racing & Ran Jan Racing | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.60 | $112,900 | III | |
| 2005 | Elusive Diva | 4 | Pat Valenzuela | Mark Glatt | Allen & Susan Branch, John Konecny et al. | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:11.66 | $111,100 | III | |
| 2004 | Etoile Montante | 4 | Javier Santiago | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.32 | $112,800 | III | |
| 2003 | Heat Haze (GB) | 4 | Jose Valdivia Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.11 | $110,000 | III | |
| 2002 | Rolly Polly (IRE) | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Wildenstein Stable | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.55 | $108,500 | III | |
| 2001 | Go Go | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Warren Stute | Alan B. & Paula Thomas | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.54 | $109,500 | III | |
| 2000 | Evening Promise (GB) | 4 | Danny Sorenson | Kathy Walsh | Richard Duggan & James R. Vreeland | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.66 | $106,400 | III | |
| 1999 | § Desert Lady (IRE) | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Richard E. Mandella | The Thoroughbred Corporation | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.65 | $109,400 | III | |
| 1998 | Dance Parade | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Neil D. Drysdale | H.R.H. Prince Fahd bin Salman | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.60 | $108,000 | III | |
| 1997 | Advancing Star | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Richard E. Mandella | Golden Eagle Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.50 | $156,550 | III | |
| 1996 | Ski Dancer | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Gary F. Jones | Kallenberg Thoroughbreds | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.59 | $104,300 | III | |
| 1995 | Marina Park (GB) | 5 | Alex O. Solis | Ian P. D. Jory | Greenland Park | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.77 | $103,175 | III | |
| 1994 | Mamselle Bebette | 4 | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg | Big Train Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.05 | $87,225 | III | |
| 1993 | Glen Kate (IRE) | 6 | Corey Black | Bill Shoemaker | Wayne Gretzky & Bruce McNall | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.71 | $104,350 | III | |
| 1992 | Heart of Joy | 5 | Chris McCarron | Gary F. Jones | Golden Eagle Farm | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:12.72 | $103,475 | III | |
| 1991 | Flower Girl (GB) | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Hector O. Palma | William J. Gredley | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.20 | $83,400 | Listed | |
| 1990 | Stylish Star | 4 | Chris McCarron | Dan L. Hendricks | Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Cavanagh | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.00 | $80,850 | | |
| 1989 | Imperial Star (GB) | 5 | Robbie Davis | Robert J. Frankel | Robert B. Trussel Jr. | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.60 | $84,200 | | |
| 1988 | Hairless Heiress | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Noble Threewitt | Jawl Brothers | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.00 | $85,500 | | |
| 1987 | Lichi (CHI) | 7 | Gary Baze | Gary F. Jones | Preston Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.40 | $65,150 | | |
| 1986 | Shywing | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Jerry M. Fanning | Cardiff Stud Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:18.00 | $64,550 | | Off turf |
| 1985 | Danzadar | 4 | Dario A. Lozoya | Hector O. Palma | Granja Vista Del Rio Stable | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.00 | $64,250 | | |
| 1984 | Tangent (NZ) | 4 | Gustavo Barrera | Wayne Murty | Bacchus, Harrison, McGee, Murty Farm & Stewart | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.00 | $66,600 | | |
| 1983 | Faneuil Lass | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Sam E. Stevens | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:17.40 | $68,200 | | Off turf |
| 1982 | Excitable Lady | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Ron McAnally | Thomas E. Gentry | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.40 | $67,650 | | Off turf |
| 1981 | Wishing Well | 6 | Fernando Toro | Gary F. Jones | Mr. & Mrs. Michael Lima | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.40 | $56,750 | | |
| 1980 | Great Lady M. | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert H. Spreen | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.80 | $46,100 | | |
| 1979 | Pressing Date | 5 | Angel Cordero Jr. | William J. Hirsch Jr. | King Ranch | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.40 | $45,500 | | Off turf |
| 1978 | Drama Critic | 4 | Darrel G. McHargue | Ron McAnally | Elmendorf | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:14.00 | $45,800 | | |
| 1977 | Dancing Femme | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | A. Thomas Doyle | Jack L. Finley | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.60 | $42,600 | | |
| 1976 | Life's Hope | 3 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 6 furlongs | 1:09.40 | $34,500 | | 3YOs |
| 1975 | 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 |
| 1974 | Woodland Pines | 5 | Donald R. Pierce | Cecil Jolly | Linda Briggs Smith | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.00 | $29,900 | | |
Legend:
 Dirt  Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In 2002, Bahama Mama (IRE) won the race but was disqualified and place fourth after stewards ruled she had drifted in the straight. Lightmyfirebaby was declared the winner, Wake Up Maggie (IRE) moved to second and Super Freaky to third.