# Robert J. Frankel Stakes

The Robert J. Frankel Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age three and older run over a distance of one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the turf track held annually in late December at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently offers a purse of $100,000.

## History

The inaugural running of the event was on 4 January 1968 as the San Gorgonio 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 Tumble Weed who was trained by US Hall of Fame trainer Charles E. Whittingham in a time of 1:133⁄5.
The event was named after a landmarks in Southern California, known as San Gorgonio Pass, San Gorgonio Mountain. a mountain in the San Bernardino Mountains and the former town of San Gorgonio now called Beaumont.
The following year the event was scheduled as a claiming stakes event held over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles and was called the San Gorgonio Claiming Stakes. In 1970 the event was not held.
In 1976 Santa Anita Track Administration changed the conditions of the event to a handicap for four-year-old fillies and mares and changing the name of the event back to San Gorgonio Handicap. The winner was the seven-year-old Chilean-bred mare Tizna, who carried a record weight of 132 lbs to victory by a nose as the 9/5 favorite.
In 1977 the event was run twice. Once in January and the second time in December when track administration scheduled the event earlier for the 1977–1978 Racing season. Hence, the event was not held in 1978 when the scheduled back in its January time slot.
In 1983 the American Graded Stakes Committee classified the event as Grade III and upgraded the race in 1985 to Grade II.
The event was renamed in 2010 to honor the late Hall of Fame trainer Robert J. Frankel who had trained eight winners of the event.
In 2012 the event was downgraded back to Grade III.
The 2016 Robert J. Frankel Stakes lost its Grade III classification when, for safety reasons, the race was switched from the turf course to the dirt track.
In 2021 the event was scheduled to be held on the last day of the year but due to wet conditions Santa Anita administration moved the event to New Year's Day. Hence the conditions of the event were for four-year-olds and over.

## Records

Time record:
* 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:46.40 – Castilla (1983), Invited Guest (1990)
Margins:
* 15 lengths – Miss Magnetic (1980)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 5 – Laffit Pincay Jr. (1971, 1973, 1978, 1987, 1994)
* 5 – Chris McCarron (1983, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2002)
* 5 – Corey Nakatani (1993, 1996, 1996, 1997, 2016)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 8 – Robert J. Frankel (1973, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 – Sidney Craig (1992, 1998)
* 2 – Juddmonte Farms (1996, 2003)
* 2 – 3 Plus U Stable (1997, 2001)
* 2 – Stronach Stables (1994, 2007)
* 2 – Abbondanza Racing (2016, 2017)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Robert J. Frankel Stakes |||||||||||
| 2023 | Angel Nadeshiko | 4 | Antonio Fresu | Patrick Gallagher | U.S. Equine | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.69 | $100,500 | III | |
| 2022 (Dec) | Queen Goddess | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Michael McCarthy | Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barber | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.35 | $102,500 | III | |
| 2022 (Jan) | Luck | 5 | Flavien Prat | Richard Baltas | LNJ Foxwoods | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.26 | $101,000 | III | |
| 2021 | 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 |
| 2020 | Mucho Unusual | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Tim Yakteen | George Krikorian | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.32 | $101,500 | III | |
| 2019 | Mirth | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Philip D'Amato | Little Red Feather Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.32 | $101,053 | III | |
| 2018 | Fahan Mura | 4 | Edwin A. Maldonado | Vladimir Cerin | Bran Jam Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.85 | $151,035 | III | |
| 2017 | Midnight Crossing (IRE) | 4 | Brice Blanc | Richard Baltas | Abbondanza Racing & Medallion Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.10 | $100,345 | III | |
| 2016 | Goodyearforroses (IRE) | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Richard Baltas | Abbondanza Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.42 | $98,000 | Listed | Off turf |
| 2015 | Gender Agenda (GB) | 4 | Rafael Bejarano | Carla Gaines | Keith Brackpool, Alon Ossip, Timothy Ritvo | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.29 | $101,750 | III | |
| 2014 | Lady Pimpernel (GB) | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Carla Gaines | Triton Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.96 | $101,000 | III | |
| 2013 | Customer Base | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.45 | $101,000 | III | |
| 2012 | Qaraaba (GB) | 5 | Julien R. Leparoux | Simon Callaghan | Alice Bamford & Michael B. Tabor | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.20 | $151,000 | III | December |
| 2012 | Bauble Queen | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | J. Eric Kruljac | Class Racing Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.22 | $150,000 | II | January |
| 2011 | Spring Style (IRE) | 6 | Garrett K. Gomez | Ben D. A. Cecil | Kristy Cecil & Zillah Reddam | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.08 | $147,000 | II | |
| San Gorgonio Handicap |||||||||||
| 2010 | Cat by the Tale | 5 | Joel Rosario | Neil D. Drysdale | Raymond Keogh | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.17 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Tizfiz | 5 | Agapito Delgadillo | Rafael DeLeon | Brian Kahn & Richard J. O'Neill Trust | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.62 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2008 | Wait A While | 5 | Garrett K. Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | Arindel Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.81 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2007 | Citronnade | 4 | David R. Flores | Robert J. Frankel | Stronach Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2006 | Silver Cup (IRE) | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Patrick L. Biancone | Martin S. Schwartz | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.46 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2005 | Fencelineneighbor | 5 | Luis H. Jauregui | Michael Machowsky | Amerman Racing | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.82 | $150,000 | III | Off turf |
| 2004 | Megahertz (GB) | 5 | Alex O. Solis | Robert J. Frankel | Michael Bello | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.51 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Tates Creek | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.91 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2002 | Tout Charmant | 6 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Stonerside Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.22 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2001 | Uncharted Haven (GB) | 4 | Alex O. Solis | Robert J. Frankel | 3 Plus U Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.02 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Lady At Peace | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | Edwin J. Gregson | Jon & Sarah Kelly | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.75 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1999 | See You Soon (FR) | 5 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Charles Kenis | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.14 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1998 | Golden Arches (FR) | 4 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.42 | $161,450 | II | |
| 1997 | Sixieme Sens | 5 | Corey Nakatani | Robert J. Frankel | 3 Plus U Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.16 | $132,950 | II | |
| 1996 | Wandesta (GB) | 5 | Corey Nakatani | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.13 | $130,550 | II | |
| 1995 | Queens Court Queen | 6 | Corey Nakatani | Ron McAnally | Alex G. Campbell Jr. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.70 | $107,000 | II | Off turf |
| 1994 | Hero's Love | 6 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Rafael Becerra | Frank Stronach | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.65 | $111,800 | II | |
| 1993 | Southern Truce | 5 | Corey Nakatani | Roger M. Stein | Regal Rose Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.28 | $112,100 | II | Off turf |
| 1992 | Paseana (ARG) | 5 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Sidney H. Craig | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:53.88 | $130,375 | II | Off turf |
| 1991 | Royal Touch (IRE) | 6 | Chris McCarron | Charles E. Whittingham | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $140,100 | II | |
| 1990 | Invited Guest (IRE) | 6 | Russell Baze | Richard E. Mandella | Randall D. Hubbard | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.40 | $140,000 | II | |
| 1989 | No Review | 4 | Rafael Q. Meza | Christopher Speckert | Buckland Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.80 | $136,200 | II | Off turf |
| 1988 | Miss Alto | 5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Jerry M. Fanning | Jerry Arnold & Stan Huller | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.20 | $108,200 | II | Off turf |
| 1987 | Frau Altiva (ARG) | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Henry M. Moreno | Nita Brooks, Louis Lee Brooks Jr. & Leigh Lawrence | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.20 | $108,100 | II | |
| 1986 | Mountain Bear (GB) | 5 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Darrell Vienna | Bob Forgnone, Richard Levy, Chuck Marquis, Dean Stern, Joe Sharer & Jim Franklin | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $112,500 | II | |
| 1985 | Fact Finder | 6 | Fernando Toro | Charles E. Whittingham | Nelson Bunker Hunt | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $107,500 | II | |
| 1984 | First Advance | 5 | Marco Castaneda | Frank T. Rappa | Margaret & Frank Rappa | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.80 | $89,950 | III | |
| 1983 | Castilla | 4 | Chris McCarron | Charles E. Whittingham | Mary Jones Bradley | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.40 | $84,550 | III | |
| 1982 | Track Robbery | 6 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert L. Wheeler | Summa Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.60 | $79,700 | | Off turf |
| 1981 | Kilijaro (IRE) | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Peter M. Brant | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.20 | $63,300 | | |
| 1980 | § Miss Magnetic | 5 | Luis Enrique Ortega | Ron McAnally | Elmendorf Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.00 | $66,700 | | Off turf |
| 1979 | Via Maris (FR) | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Angel Penna Sr. | Daniel Wildenstein | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.60 | $56,500 | | Off turf |
| 1978 | 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 |
| 1977 | Lucie Manet (ARG) | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Jaime Villagomez | John & Donald Valpredo | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.80 | $52,750 | December | Off turf |
| 1977 | Merry Lady III (ARG) | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Henry M. Moreno | Red Bee Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:54.00 | $58,700 | January | Off turf |
| 1976 | Tizna (CHI) | 7 | Fernando Alvarez | Henry M. Moreno | Nile Financial Corp. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $43,800 | | |
| San Gorgonio Claiming Stakes |||||||||||
| 1975 | Madison Palace (FRA) | 7 | Donald Pierce | Farrell W. Jones | Albert Sultan & Peter Valenti | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $34,900 | | |
| 1974 | Margum | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Tom Pratt | Leone J. Peters | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.60 | $36,000 | | Off turf |
| 1973 | § Extra Hand | 7 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Robert J. Frankel | Marion R. Frankel | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.00 | $36,700 | | Off turf |
| 1972 | § Tradesman | 8 | Eddie Belmonte | Pancho Martin | Sigmund Sommer | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.20 | $37,100 | | |
| 1971 | Never Confuse | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | William J. Hirsch | King Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.60 | $30,550 | | Off turf |
| 1970 | 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 |
| 1969 | Jimmy Peanuts | 4 | Walter Blum | Roger Laurin | Edward Sawyer | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:52.00 | $24,900 | | |
| San Gorgonio Handicap |||||||||||
| 1968 | Tumble Wind | 4 | John Sellers | Charles E. Whittingham | Llangollen Farm Stable & Rock Spring Stable | abt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:13.60 | $23,150 | | |
Legend:
 Dirt  Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry