# Eight Belles Stakes

The Eight Belles Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old filly sprinters run at a distance of 7 furlongs at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky each year on Kentucky Oaks Day.

## History

The inaugural running of the event was on the opening day of the 1956 Spring meeting at Churchill Downs on Saturday, 27 April 1956 as the seventh and main feature race on the nine race program named the Oaks Prep over a distance of six furlongs. The event attracted the 1955 US Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Doubledogdare and Calumet Farm's fine filly Princess Turia. The event was scheduled as a preparatory event for the much longer Kentucky Oaks which was scheduled on the following Friday. Doubledogdare started as the 2/5 odds-on favorite and held off Princess Turia to win by half a length in a time of 1:113⁄5. However, six days later Princess Turia turned the tables and defeated her rival in the Kentucky Oaks by a neck.
In 1961 the distance of the event was increased to seven furlongs.
The 1962 winner Cicada started 3/10 odds-on and easily won the event by four lengths under the reins of US Hall of Fame jockey William L. Shoemaker. Cicada then proceeded to win the Kentucky Oaks en route to being crowned US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
In 1967 the event was renamed to the La Troienne Stakes for one of the greatest broodmares in the United States throughout the twentieth century, La Troienne. The 1967 winner Fure Sail would go on to being crowned US Champion Three-Year-Old Filly as would the 1968 winner Dark Mirage and 1972 winner Susan's Girl. The 1972 Canadian Horse of the Year La Prevoyante would win the event in 1973.
In 1982 the event was run in split divisions. This was only time that the event was run in split divisions.
The event was classified as Grade III in 1998.
Between 2004 and 2010 the event was run over a lightly longer distance of 7+1⁄2 furlongs.
Churchill Downs announced that beginning in 2009 this race would be called the Eight Belles Stakes in honor of the deceased filly, Eight Belles, who finished second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby. In 2010, the Louisville Distaff Stakes was renamed the La Troienne Stakes.
Since 2011 the event has been scheduled on the same card as the Kentucky Oaks.
The American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the race to its current Grade II status in 2016.

## Records

Speed record:
* 7 furlongs: 1:21.29 - Contested (2012)
* 7+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:28.18 - Joint Effort (2006)
Margins
* 11+3⁄4 lengths - Roxelana (2000)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 9 - Pat Day (1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2001)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 3 - Stanley M. Rieser (1964, 1966, 1969)
* 3 - Woodford C. Stephens (1970, 1978, 1981)
* 3 - Steve Asmussen (2002, 2009, 2018)
* 3 - William I. Mott (1993, 2016, 2021)
* 3 - Brad H. Cox (2017, 2019, 2022)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 - Heiligbrodt Racing Stable (2002, 2009, 2018)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Eight Belles Stakes ||||||||||
| 2024 | My Mane Squeeze | Luis Saez | Michael J. Maker | William Butler & WinStar Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.85 | $534,340 | II | |
| 2023 | Red Carpet Ready | Luis Saez | George R. Arnold II | Ashbrook Farm & Upland Flats Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.28 | $500,000 | II | |
| 2022 | Matareya | Flavien Prat | Brad H. Cox | Godolphin | 7 furlongs | 1:21.86 | $500,000 | II | |
| 2021 | Obligatory | Jose Ortiz | William I. Mott | Juddmonte Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:21.89 | $300,000 | II | |
| 2020 | Sconsin | James Graham | Gregory D. Foley | Lloyd Madison Farms IV | 7 furlongs | 1:21.30 | $300,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Break Even | Shaun Bridgmohan | Brad H. Cox | Klein Racing | 7 furlongs | 1:22.13 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2018 | Mia Mischief | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | William & Corrine Heiligbrodt, Heider Family Stables & Madaket Stables | 7 furlongs | 1:21.84 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2017 | Benner Island | Javier Castellano | Brad H. Cox | Shortleaf Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:24.28 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2016 | Carina Mia | Julien R. Leparoux | William I. Mott | Three Chimneys Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:21.74 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2015 | Promise Me Silver | Robby Albarado | W. Bret Calhoun | Robert G. Luttrell | 7 furlongs | 1:22.90 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2014 | Fiftyshadesofgold | Mike E. Smith | W. Bret Calhoun | Estate of Clarence Scharbauer Jr. | 7 furlongs | 1:22.50 | $200,725 | III | |
| 2013 | So Many Ways | Garrett K. Gomez | Thomas M. Amoss | Maggi Moss | 7 furlongs | 1:22.84 | $177,150 | III | |
| 2012 | Contested | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Natalie J. Baffert | 7 furlongs | 1:21.29 | $110,000 | III | |
| 2011 | Victoria's Wildcat | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert B. Hess Jr. | Bob & Victoria Bayer & Jonathan Metcalf | 7 furlongs | 1:23.03 | $118,800 | III | |
| 2010 | Buckleupbuttercup | Julien R. Leparoux | Eddie Kenneally | Avalon Farms | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:29.49 | $110,700 | III | |
| 2009 | Four Gifts | Shaun Bridgmohan | Steven M. Asmussen | Heiligbrodt Racing Stable | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:30.94 | $113,300 | III | |
| La Troienne Stakes ||||||||||
| 2008 | Game Face | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Zabeel Racing International | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:28.44 | $168,450 | III | |
| 2007 | Silverinyourpocket | Calvin H. Borel | Helen Pitts-Blasi | Robert D. & Marilyn Randal | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:30.14 | $182,850 | III | |
| 2006 | Joint Effort | Edgar S. Prado | Dale L. Romans | Donald R. Dizney | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:28.18 | $119,600 | III | |
| 2005 | Seek a Star | Jorge F. Chavez | John T. Ward Jr. | John C. Oxley | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:28.75 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2004 | Friendly Michelle | Alex O. Solis | Bob Baffert | Ed Friendly | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:28.26 | $112,200 | III | |
| 2003 | Final Round | Jerry D. Bailey | George R. Arnold II | G. Watts Humphrey Jr. | 7 furlongs | 1:22.13 | $111,800 | III | |
| 2002 | Cashier's Dream | Donnie Meche | Steven M. Asmussen | Heiligbrodt Racing Stable & Team Valor | 7 furlongs | 1:24.83 | $112,600 | III | |
| 2001 | Caressing | Pat Day | David R. Vance | Carl F. Pollard | 7 furlongs | 1:22.90 | $121,000 | III | |
| 2000 | Roxelana | Larry Melancon | William G. Huffman | William L. S. Landes III | 7 furlongs | 1:21.97 | $113,400 | III | |
| 1999 | Sapphire n' Silk | Pat Day | Dallas Stewart | William A. Carl | 7 furlongs | 1:23.85 | $112,800 | III | |
| 1998 | Sister Act | Calvin H. Borel | Jeffrey N. Jacobs | Choctaw Racing Stable & Harold C. Kitchen | 7 furlongs | 1:24.46 | $112,700 | III | |
| 1997 | Star of Goshen | Alex O. Solis | Mike Puype | Cobra Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.75 | $113,500 | Listed | |
| 1996 | Rare Blend | Pat Day | David A. Vivian | Barbara Vivian & Dominic Vittese | 7 furlongs | 1:23.75 | $85,575 | Listed | |
| 1995 | Dixieland Gold | Dave Penna | Louis M. Goldfine | Arthur I. Appleton | 7 furlongs | 1:22.74 | $84,750 | Listed | |
| 1994 | Packet | Joe M. Johnson | Gary G. Hartlage | Upson Downs Farm & Patricia Lenihan | 7 furlongs | 1:24.14 | $85,800 | Listed | |
| 1993 | Traverse City | Julie Krone | William I. Mott | Charles Armstrong | 7 furlongs | 1:24.38 | $58,500 | Listed | |
| 1992 | Bell Witch | Julie Krone | Lawrence C. Metz | Tom E. Hall | 7 furlongs | 1:24.35 | $56,150 | Listed | |
| 1991 | Exclusive Bird | Jerry D. Bailey | John T. Ward Jr. | John C. Oxley | 7 furlongs | 1:23.64 | $56,850 | Listed | |
| 1990 | Screen Prospect | Pat Day | Peter M. Vestal | Alamo Ranches | 7 furlongs | 1:24.40 | $56,950 | | |
| 1989 | Top of My Life | Pat Day | Thomas Victor Smith | Robert & Joan Masterson | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $56,300 | | |
| 1988 | Gerri n Jo Go | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Joseph Scardino & David Sofro | 7 furlongs | 1:25.40 | $55,700 | | |
| 1987 | Footy | Chris McCarron | Willard L. Proctor | Cherry Valley Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $58,500 | | |
| 1986 | Lazer Show | Pat Day | Donald R. Winfree | James Devaney | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $38,180 | | |
| 1985 | Magnificent Lindy | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Mrs. Paula Tucker | 7 furlongs | 1:23.40 | $35,150 | | |
| 1984 | Sintra | K. Keith Allen | Steven C. Penrod | Cherry Valley Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $35,650 | | |
| 1983 | How Clever | Gerland Gallitano | Billy S. Borders | J. R. Straus | 7 furlongs | 1:25.40 | $37,300 | | |
| 1982 | Betty Money | Larry Melancon | Ronnie G. Warren | Russell Michael | 7 furlongs | 1:26.20 | $35,675 | | Division 1 |
| 1982 | Hoist Emy's Flag | Pat Day | Edwin K. Cleveland Jr. | Nickels & Dimes Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:26.20 | $35,675 | | Division 2 |
| 1981 | Heavenly Cause | Pat Day | Woodford C. Stephens | Ryehill Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $26,450 | | |
| 1980 | Ribbon | Ronald Ardoin | Harry Trotsek | Arthur B. Hancock III & Leon Peters | 7 furlongs | 1:26.60 | $29,900 | | |
| 1979 | Justa Reflection | Alexander L. Fernandez | Arthur P. Hoffman | Marvin L. Warner | 7 furlongs | 1:25.80 | $27,450 | | |
| 1978 | White Star Line | Eddie Maple | Woodford C. Stephens | Newstead Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:25.20 | $20,800 | | |
| 1977 | Sweet Alliance | Chris McCarron | Bud Delp | Windfields Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:25.20 | $22,000 | | |
| 1976 | Moreland Hills | Allen Rini | James E. Morgan | Thomas F. Classen | 7 furlongs | 1:26.60 | $21,200 | | |
| 1975 | § High Estimate | Eddie Delahoussaye | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | Diamond Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:25.60 | $21,200 | | |
| 1974 | †Shantung Silk | Angel Cordero Jr. | A. B. May | William Lussky | 7 furlongs | 1:25.40 | $22,200 | | |
| 1973 | La Prevoyante (CAN) | Jimmy LeBlanc | Joseph Starr | Jean-Louis Levesque | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $21,600 | | |
| 1972 | Susan's Girl | Victor Tejada | John W. Russell | Fred W. Hooper | 7 furlongs | 1:23.80 | $21,600 | | |
| 1971 | Grafitti | Don Brumfield | Horatio A. Luro | Louisa d’Andelot Carpenter | 7 furlongs | 1:24.00 | $22,600 | | |
| 1970 | Missile Belle | Pete Anderson | Woodford C. Stephens | John Morris | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $16,350 | | |
| 1969 | Double Delta | Carlos Marquez | Stanley M. Rieser | Clifford Lussky | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $16,200 | | |
| 1968 | Dark Mirage | Manuel Ycaza | Everett W. King | Lloyd Miller | 7 furlongs | 1:24.60 | $16,800 | | |
| 1967 | Furl Sail | Bill Shoemaker | John L. Winans | Mrs. Edwin K. Thomas | 7 furlongs | 1:23.40 | $16,200 | | |
| Oaks Prep ||||||||||
| 1966 | Justakiss | Ray Broussard | Stanley M. Rieser | Clifford Lussky | 7 furlongs | 1:25.20 | $16,200 | | |
| 1965 | Marry the Prince | Kenneth Knapp | Willard L. Proctor | Graham Brown | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $13,900 | | |
| 1964 | Silver Dollar | Don Brumfield | Stanley M. Rieser | Barbara Hunter | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $15,825 | | |
| 1963 | Saree | Jacinto Vasquez | Donald Lague | Mrs. Mary Keim | 7 furlongs | 1:25.60 | $10,700 | | |
| 1962 | Cicada | Bill Shoemaker | J. Homer Hayes | Meadow Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $16,800 | | |
| 1961 | Play Time | Johnny Sellers | Ivan H. Parke | Pin Oak Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.60 | $16,950 | | |
| 1960 | Rash Statement | John L. Rotz | Allen R. Hultz | Hal Price Headley | 6 furlongs | 1:12:00 | $12,175 | | |
| 1959 | Ruwenzori | Bill Shoemaker | R. E. Meredith | Preston Madden | 6 furlongs | 1:11.20 | $12,775 | | |
| 1958 | Stay Smoochie | Walter Blum | Jack Price | Dorchester Farm Stable | 6 furlongs | 1:11.40 | $12,325 | | |
| 1957 | § Pillow Talk | Kenneth Church | Maurice H. Dudley | Hal Price Headley | 6 furlongs | 1:11.20 | $12,675 | | |
| 1956 | Doubledogdare | Steve Brooks | Moody Jolley | Claiborne Farm | 6 furlongs | 1:11.60 | $13,150 | | |
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 1974 running Clemenna was first past the post but came out in the straight causing interference to the second-place finisher Shantung Silk and was disqualified and placed second. Shantung Silk was declared the winner.