# Bewitch Stakes

The Bewitch Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares four-year-olds and older over a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles on the turf held annually in April at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky during the spring meeting. The event currently offers a purse of $300,000.

## History

The race is named for Calumet Farm's great Hall of Fame filly, Bewitch. Bewitch won her first two races as a two-year-old at Keeneland. The first event was on 10 April 1947, a maiden, The Dixiana Purse a four furlong race in which Bewitch won easily. The following week Bewitch won the Thoroughbred Club Dinner Purse equaling the track record in 46 seconds flat for the four furlong distance that was held by Odessa Beulah since 27 April 1937. Bewitch would win her first eight races and later would be voted U.S. Champion Two-Year-Old Filly for 1947. Keeneland honored this fine champion with the running of the inaugural Bewitch Stakes, a two-year-old filly event on closing day of the spring meeting on 24 April 1962 with Bonnie's Girl winning by 3+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 481⁄5 seconds for the about four furlong distance. Bonnie's Girl would finish second the following year in the Kentucky Oaks which was won by Sally Ship.
In 1965 the distance of the event was set at 4+1⁄2 furlongs with the extension of the chute which is now known as the Headley Course. The number of two-year-old fillies that would enter the event was high which would enable Keeneland to split the event into divisions. This occurred in 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972 and 1976. The last time the event was held as a two-year-old stakes race was in 1978.
In 1979 the event was held with conditions for fillies and mares that are four years old or older and the distance was set at 1+1⁄16 miles.
In 1982 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the race to its current Grade III status.
Between 1979 and 1985 when the event was held on the dirt track three winners of the race had earlier had won the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park – Miss Baja scored a major upset at Oaklawn in 1979, confirmed her victory by winning by the Bewitch Stakes by 8+1⁄2 lengths, Bold 'n Determined in 1981 and Heatherten in 1984.
Keeneland installed a new turf track in the fall of 1985 and in the following spring meeting (1986) the event was moved as was the Elkhorn Stakes (for all horses) and scheduled as a 1+1⁄8 miles event.
In 1995 the distance of the event was increased to 1+1⁄2 miles.
The event was not held 2020 during Keeneland's spring meeting which was moved to July and shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

## Records

Speed record
* 1+1⁄2 miles turf: 2:27.54 – Bursting Forth (1999)
* 1+1⁄8 miles turf: 1:48.37 – La Gueriere (1992)
* 1+1⁄8 miles dirt: 1:43.00 – Miss Baja (1979), Jolie Dutch (1980)
* 4+1⁄2 furlongs dirt: 0:51.00 – Royalty Note (1968)
Margins
* 9 lengths – Shore (1966)
Most wins:
* 3 – War Like Goddess (2021, 2022, 2023)
Most wins by a jockey
* 6 – Pat Day (1983, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997)
Most wins by an owner
* 3 – George Krikorian (2021, 2022, 2023)
Most wins by a trainer
* 6 – William I. Mott (1984, 1989, 1993, 2021, 2022, 2023)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| 2024 | Chop Chop | 4 | Axel Concepcion | Brad H. Cox | Selective | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.80 | $290,125 | III | |
| 2023 | War Like Goddess | 6 | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | George Krikorian | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.11 | $297,500 | III | |
| 2022 | War Like Goddess | 5 | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | George Krikorian | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.26 | $298,500 | III | |
| 2021 | War Like Goddess | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | William I. Mott | George Krikorian | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.21 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2020 | 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 |
| 2019 | Ickymasho (GB) | 7 | Jose L. Ortiz | Roger L. Attfield | Triton Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.02 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2018 | Mom's On Strike | 5 | Adam Beschizza | Joe Sharp | Carl R. Moore Management & Brad Grady | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.02 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2017 | Quiet Business | 4 | Brian Hernandez Jr. | George R. Arnold II | Calumet Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.50 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2016 | Olorda (GER) | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Chad C. Brown | Martin S. Schwartz | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.09 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2015 | † Cay Dancer (GB) | 4 | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | Highclere America, Barnett | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.28 | $149,667 | III | |
| 2014 | Inimitable Romanee | 6 | Alan Garcia | H. Graham Motion | Gallagher's Stud | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.29 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2013 | Strathnaver (GB) | 4 | Joel Rosario | H. Graham Motion | Andrew Stone | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.65 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2012 | Upperline | 5 | James Graham | Michael Stidham | Michael Stidham, John H. Adger, Stone Farm & Oakcrest Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:33.28 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2011 | Keertana | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Thomas F. Proctor | Barbara Hunter | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:33.08 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2010 | Lady Shakespeare | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Roger L. Attfield | Charles E. Fipke | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.42 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Winter View | 5 | Julien R. Leparoux | Jonathan E. Sheppard | Augustin Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:34.11 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2008 | Communique | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | George R. Arnold II | G. Watts Humphrey Jr. | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.91 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2007 | Safari Queen (ARG) | 5 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Arindel Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.75 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2006 | Noble Stella (GER) | 5 | Edgar S. Prado | Roger L. Attfield | Gary A. Tanaka | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:33.15 | $107,400 | III | |
| 2005 | Angara (GB) | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Patrick L. Biancone | Martin S. Schwartz | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:36.24 | $109,300 | III | |
| 2004 | Meridiana (GER) | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | Christophe Clement | Sarah & Jon Kelly | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.05 | $113,400 | III | |
| 2003 | Lilac Queen (GER) | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Robert J. Frankel | Gary A. Tanaka | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.70 | $112,100 | III | |
| 2002 | Sweetest Thing | 4 | Mark Guidry | Roger L. Attfield | Roger L. Attfield, Michael Canino & William Werner | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:31.97 | $110,700 | III | |
| 2001 | Keemoon (FR) | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Neil D. Drysdale | Henry E. Pabst | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.28 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2000 | The Seven Seas | 4 | Alex O. Solis | Robert J. Frankel | Charles Kenis | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.20 | $113,100 | III | |
| 1999 | Bursting Forth | 5 | Jorge F. Chavez | H. Graham Motion | Sam Huff | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.54 | $110,900 | III | |
| 1998 | Maxzene | 5 | Jose A. Santos | Thomas J. Skiffington | Sekiguchi Fusao | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.50 | $112,300 | III | |
| 1997 | Cymbala (FR) | 4 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III, George Bolton & J. S. Reynolds | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.87 | $111,500 | III | |
| 1996 | Memories (IRE) | 5 | Shane Sellers | Burk Kessinger Jr. | New Phoenix Stable & Alvin Haynes | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.14 | $106,500 | III | |
| 1995 | Market Booster | 6 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Moyglare Stud | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.33 | $81,825 | III | |
| 1994 | Freewheel | 5 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | William S. Farish III & E. J. Hudson | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.24 | $82,050 | III | |
| 1993 | Miss Lenora | 4 | Julie Krone | William I. Mott | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.60 | $82,850 | III | |
| 1992 | La Gueriere | 4 | Brian Dale Peck | A. Peter Perkins | Wimborne Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.37 | $83,750 | III | |
| 1991 | Miss Unnameable | 7 | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Leonard D. Mathis | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.02 | $86,500 | III | |
| 1990 | Coolawin | 4 | Jerry D. Bailey | Carl A. Nafzger | Jim Tafel | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.20 | $83,150 | III | |
| 1989 | Gaily Gaily (IRE) | 6 | Julie Krone | William I. Mott | Diana M. Firestone | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.00 | $82,850 | III | |
| 1988 | Beauty Cream | 5 | Pat Day | Patrick C. Clark | Warren N. Moore | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.60 | $86,550 | III | |
| 1987 | Gerrie Singer | 6 | Ricky Frazier | Jeff Trosclair | John J. Petrie | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1.52.60 | $61,125 | III | |
| 1986 | Devalois (FR) | 4 | Eddie Maple | Woodford C. Stephens | Mrs. Alec Head | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:54.00 | $69,900 | III | |
| 1985 | Sintra | 4 | K. Keith Allen | Steven C. Penrod | Cherry Vally Farm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $63,275 | III | |
| 1984 | Heatherten | 5 | Sam Maple | William I. Mott | John A. Franks | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:45.80 | $58,350 | III | |
| 1983 | Try Something New | 4 | Pat Day | Claude R. McGaughey III | John A. Bell III | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:44.40 | $56,925 | III | |
| 1982 | Expressive Dance | 4 | Don Brumfield | Bertram R. Firestone | Diana M. Firestone | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $56,025 | III | |
| 1981 | Bold 'n Determined | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Saron Stable | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.80 | $58,825 | | |
| 1980 | Jolie Dutch | 4 | Randy Romero | Anthony J. Lombardi | Susan B. Fisher | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $45,875 | | |
| 1979 | Miss Baja | 4 | Eddie Maple | Joseph B. Cantey | Lockhart Spears | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.00 | $35,825 | | |
| 1978 | Twenty One Inch | 2 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Anthony Basile | Bwamazon Farm (Millard Waldheim) | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.60 | $18,225 | | |
| 1977 | Crystalan | 2 | Garth Patterson | Glenn L. Hild | Raymond Parker | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:53.00 | $18,380 | | |
| 1976 | Olden | 2 | Robert Breen | Lloyd P. Tate | James H. Stone | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:51.40 | $16,970 | | Division 1 |
| 1976 | Fun and Tears | 2 | Larry Melancon | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | Patricia Blass | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:51.40 | $17,370 | | Division 2 |
| 1975 | Pink Jade | 2 | Eddie Delahoussaye | John Ngai Jr. | Hoi Toi Stable | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:51.60 | $18,675 | | |
| 1974 | Dancing Home | 2 | Alan Patterson | Don Breashear | J. F. Smith | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:53.60 | $18,143 | | Division 1 |
| 1974 | Secret's Out | 2 | Don Brumfield | James E. Picou | Marcia Lou Schott | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:51.40 | $18,042 | | Division 2 |
| 1973 | Me and Connie | 2 | Jimmy Nichols | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | Patricia Blass | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.40 | $19,390 | | |
| 1972 | Gallant Davelle | 2 | Jimmy Nichols | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | George M. Holtsinger | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.40 | $20,825 | | Division 1 |
| 1972 | Bosuns Strike | 2 | Anthony DeSpirito | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | Joan Turner | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:53.20 | $21,125 | | Division 2 |
| 1971 | Sidle | 2 | David Kassen | Stanley M. Rieser | Barbara Hunter | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.20 | $19,950 | | Division 1 |
| 1971 | Cautious Bidder | 2 | Jimmy Nichols | Larry Robideaux Jr. | Larry Robideaux Jr. | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52:00 | $20,500 | | Division 2 |
| 1970 | Fancy Road | 2 | Nelson Menard | Roy J. Gillem | Dreabon Copelan | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.20 | $21,700 | | |
| 1969 | Little Tudor | 2 | David E. Whited | Carter Thornton | Carter Thornton | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.80 | $23,350 | | |
| 1968 | Royalty Note | 2 | Michael Manganello | Thomas H. Stevens Sr. | James O. Alston | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:51.00 | $23,250 | | |
| 1967 | Jet To Market | 2 | Grady Overton | David F. Erb | Roger W. Wilson & Mrs. Thomas Phillip Hull Jr. | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:51.60 | $13,925 | | |
| 1966 | Shore | 2 | Jimmy Nichols | Harry Trotsek | Claiborne Farm | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52:00 | $11,850 | | Division 1 |
| 1966 | Furl Sail | 2 | Earlie Fires | John L. Winans | Mrs. Edwin K. Thomas | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52.60 | $11,950 | | Division 2 |
| 1965 | Justakiss | 2 | Kenny Knapp | Stanley M. Rieser | Clifford Lussky | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:53.00 | $12,587 | | Division 1 |
| 1965 | Ole Liz | 2 | Bill Shoemaker | Henry Forrest | Henry Forrest & Elton Gordon | 4+1⁄2 furlongs | 0:52:40 | $12,388 | | Division 2 |
| 1964 | Mississippi Mama | 2 | Ronnie Baldwin | Douglas M. Davis Jr. | Michael & Douglas M. Davis Jr. | abt. 4 furlongs | 0:48.20 | $13,650 | | |
| 1963 | Royal Bund | 2 | Avelino Gomez | Frank E. Cundall | Bwamazon Farm (Millard Waldheim) | abt. 4 furlongs | 0:49.40 | $13,150 | | |
| 1962 | Bonnies Girl | 2 | Clarence Meaux | E. Thurston Colglazier | J. H. Riedinger | abt. 4 furlongs | 0:48.20 | $15,025 | | |
Legend:
 Dirt  Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 2015 running of the event Kitten's Point was first past the post and wagering was paid out as the winner, however the horse returned a positive swab for methocarbamol (Robaxin) and consequently was disqualified from the prizemoney and was placed 14th (last). Cay Dancer (GB) was declared the official winner of the event.