# Orchid Stakes

The Orchid Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares that are four years or older held over a distance of one and one-half miles on the turf usually scheduled annually in late March as an under card event on Florida Derby day at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.

## History

The inaugural running of the event was on 11 March 1954 as a six furlong dirt sprint for three year old fillies that was easily won by Queen Hopeful who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey John H. Adams and trained by US Hall of Fame trainer Harry E. Trotsek by a 3 lengths margin.
Gulfstream Park did not schedule the event again until 1965 after an absence of 10 years. In 1965 and 1966 the event was still held for three year old fillies but the distance was increased to 1+1⁄16 miles. In 1967 the event was held on the turf for the first time over a distance of one mile. The conditions of the event were changes to allow older mares compete under handicap conditions. In the first division Indian Sunlite set a track record for the mile in a time of 1:343⁄5.
In 1969 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄16 miles.
In 1973 the first year the classification system was enacted, the event was set with Grade III status and in 1981 the event was upgraded to Grade II.
In 1986 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄2 miles.
In 2006 the event was downgraded to a Grade III event. In 2008 the event's conditions were changed from handicap to stakes allowance with name of race changed back to the original name.
In 2016 the distance of the event of was decreased to 1+3⁄8 miles and in 2022 was increased back to 1+1⁄2 miles.
The event has been run in split division four times: 1967, 1972, 1983, 1985

## Records

Speed record:
* 1+3⁄8 miles – 2:11.73 Mean Mary (2020)
* 1+1⁄2 miles – 2:23.07 Honey Ryder (2005)
* 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:40.40 Just A Game (IRE) (1980)
* 1 mile – 1:34.60 Indian Sunlite (1967)
Margins:
* 5+1⁄2 lengths – Tweedside (2003)
Most wins:
* 2 – Honey Ryder (2005, 2006)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 5 – John R. Velazquez (2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 8 – Christophe Clement (1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2015, 2023)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 – Barbara Hunter (1970, 1974, 1979)
* 3 – Glencrest Farm (1987, 2005, 2006)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Orchid Stakes |||||||||||
| 2024 | McKulick (GB) | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.20 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2023 | Amazing Grace (GER) | 5 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Moyglare Stud Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.82 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2022 | Family Way | 5 | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan Walsh | Hunter Valley Farm, Debra L. O'Connor & Marc Detampel | abt. 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.08 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2021 | War Like Goddess | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | William I. Mott | George Krikorian | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.34 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2020 | Mean Mary | 4 | Luis Saez | H. Graham Motion | Alex G. Campbell Jr. | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:11.73 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2019 | Santa Monica (GB) | 6 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | R Unicorn Stable | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:16.07 | $100,000 | III | |
| 2018 | 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 |
| 2017 | Summersault | 5 | Paco Lopez | Mark A. Hennig | William Parsons Jr & David S. Howe | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:12.24 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2016 | Photo Call (IRE) | 5 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | Teresa Viola Racing Stables | 1+3⁄8 miles | 2:16.38 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2015 | Beauty Parlor | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Christophe Clement | Joseph Allen | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.89 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2014 | Anjaz | 5 | Rajiv Maragh | Thomas Albertrani | Godolphin Racing | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.70 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2013 | Regalo Mia | 4 | Luis Contreras | Michelle Nihei | Steven W. Ciccarone | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.48 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2012 | Hit It Rich | 5 | Javier Castellano | Claude R. McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.06 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2011 | La Luna de Miel (GER) | 4 | John R. Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | Rashit Shaykhutdinov | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.76 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2010 | Speak Easy Gal | 4 | Elvis Trujillo | Martin D. Wolfson | Farnsworth Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.46 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Dress Rehearsal (IRE) | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | William I. Mott | Swettenham Stud | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.77 | $150,000 | III | |
| Orchid Handicap |||||||||||
| 2008 | Hostess | 5 | John R. Velazquez | H. James Bond | William L. Clifton Jr. | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.83 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2007 | Safari Queen (ARG) | 5 | Christopher P. DeCarlo | Todd A. Pletcher | Arindel Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.17 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2006 | Honey Ryder | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Glencrest Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.07 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2005 | Honey Ryder | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Glencrest Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.15 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Meridiana (GER) | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Christophe Clement | Jon & Sarah Kelly | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.99 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Tweedside | 5 | Rene R. Douglas | Todd A. Pletcher | Eugene & Laura Melnyk | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.36 | $200,000 | II | Off turf |
| 2002 | Julie Jalouse | 4 | Jose A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Skymarc Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.89 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2001 | Innuendo (IRE) | 6 | Jerry D. Bailey | Christophe Clement | Gerald W. Leigh | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.24 | $194,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Lisieux Rose (IRE) | 6 | Jose A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Moyglare Stud Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.64 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1999 | Coretta (IRE) | 5 | Jose A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Gerald W. Leigh | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.85 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1998 | Colonial Play | 5 | Robbie Davis | Flint S. Schulhofer | Robert S. Evans | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.75 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1997 | Golden Pond (IRE) | 4 | Herb McCauley | Martin D. Wolfson | Silverleaf Farms | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.84 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1996 | Memories (IRE) | 5 | Jose A. Santos | Burk Kessinger Jr. | New Phoenix Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.51 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1995 | Exchange (CAN) | 7 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | William Spawr | Sidney H. Craig | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.02 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1994 | Trampoli | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Christophe Clement | Paul de Moussac | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.42 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1993 | Fairy Garden | 5 | Wigberto S. Ramos | Roger L. Attfield | Virginia Kraft Payson | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.79 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1992 | Crockadore | 5 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Timothy Mahony | abt. 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.32 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1991 | Star Standing (CAN) | 4 | Chris Antley | William J. Hirsch Jr. | Keswick Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.02 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1990 | Coolawin | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Carl A. Nafzger | James B. Tafel | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.20 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1989 | Gaily Gaily (IRE) | 6 | Julie Krone | William I. Mott | Bertram R. Firestone | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.80 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1988 | Beauty Cream | 5 | Pat Day | Patrick C. Clark | Warren N. Moore | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.40 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1987 | Anka Germania (IRE) | 5 | Craig Perret | Thomas J. Skiffington | Glencrest Farm & Fernwood Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.40 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1986 | Videogenic | 4 | Robbie Davis | Gasper S. Moschera | Albert & Barbara Davis | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.20 | $197,400 | II | |
| 1985 | Pretty Perfect | 5 | Gerland Gallitano | Harvey L. Vanier | Louis F. Aitken | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $103,300 | II | Division 1 |
| 1985 | Aspen Rose | 5 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Veitch | Daniel M. Galbreath | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.00 | $108,675 | II | Division 2 |
| 1984 | Sabin | 4 | Eddie Maple | Woodford C. Stephens | Henryk de Kwiatkowski | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.40 | $117,800 | II | Off turf |
| 1983 | Sweetest Chant | 5 | Earlie Fires | Joseph M. Bollero | Russell L. Reineman Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.60 | $88,400 | II | Division 1 |
| 1983 | Larida | 4 | Eddie Maple | Woodford C. Stephens | Newstead Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.80 | $89,400 | II | Division 2 |
| 1982 | Blush | 4 | Jacinto Vasquez | David A. Whiteley | Lazy F Ranch | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.00 | $127,500 | II | |
| 1981 | Honey Fox | 4 | Jacinto Vasquez | Flint S. Schulhofer | Dr. Jerome M. Torsney | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $136,200 | II | |
| 1980 | Just A Game (IRE) | 4 | Don Brumfield | David A. Whiteley | Peter M. Brant & H. Joseph Allen | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:40.40 | $123,600 | III | |
| 1979 | Sans Arc | 5 | Earlie Fires | Stanley M. Rieser | Barbara Hunter | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.40 | $132,450 | III | |
| 1978 | Time for Pleasure | 4 | Thomas Barrow | Phil A. Grosser | William Q. Muir | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.00 | $63,000 | III | |
| 1977 | Copano | 5 | Mickey Solomone | Oral C. Pickard | John D. King | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.40 | $72,500 | III | |
| 1976 | Deesse Du Val | 5 | Carlos H. Marquez Sr. | Stephen A. DiMauro | Mrs. Joan C. Johnson & Mrs. Suzanne Carl | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.80 | $47,975 | III | |
| 1975 | Protectora (CHI) | 6 | Heliodoro Gustines | Warren J. Pascuma | Edward Seltzer | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.20 | $43,500 | III | |
| 1974 | Dogtooth Violet | 4 | Don Brumfield | Stanley M. Rieser | Barbara Hunter | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.00 | $65,700 | III | |
| 1973 | Deb Marion | 3 | Frank Ianelli | John H. Rigione | George H. Schmidt | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:42.60 | $45,400 | III | |
| 1972 | Evening Bag | 7 | William Gavidia | Charles C. Sanborn | George A. Sacks | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $49,600 | | Division 1 |
| 1972 | Toter Back | 5 | Jorge Tejeira | Raymond G. Alaimo | Steve L. Alaimo | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:41.60 | $49,600 | | Division 2 |
| 1971 | Swoon's Flower | 4 | Carlos H. Marquez Sr. | George Towne | Waldemar Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.60 | $46,525 | | |
| 1970 | Pattee Canyon | 5 | Earlie Fires | Stanley M. Rieser | Barbara Hunter | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $50,950 | | |
| 1969 | Spire | 5 | Ray Broussard | Michael F. Fogarty | George R. Wallace | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $33,950 | | |
| 1968 | Chriscinca | 4 | Earlie Fires | Budd Lepman | Alfred A. Muller | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $23,725 | | |
| 1967 | Indian Sunlite | 4 | Howard Grant | Sherrill W. Ward | George M. Humphrey | 1 mile | 1:34.60 | $22,187 | | Division 1 |
| 1967 | Straight Deal | 5 | Jorge Velasquez | Hirsch Jacobs | Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs | 1 mile | 1:35.20 | $22,387 | | Division 2 |
| Orchid Stakes |||||||||||
| 1966 | Chalina | 3 | Ken Knapp | Leroy Jolley | Mrs. Moody Jolley | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $16,700 | | 3YO fillies |
| 1965 | Vassar Grad | 3 | Ken Knapp | Charles C. Sanborn | Bwamazon Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:46.20 | $17,050 | | 3YO fillies |
| 1955–1964 | 1955–1964 | 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 |
| 1954 | Queen Hopeful | 3 | John H. Adams | Harry E. Trotsek | Hasty House Farm (Allie E. Reuben) | 6 furlongs | 1:12.00 | $11,150 | | 3YO fillies |
Legend:
 Turf  Dirt