# American Stakes

The American Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for horses age four and older over a distance of one mile on the turf track held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in April. The race currently offers a purse of $100,000.

## History

The event was inaugurated on Independence Day in 1938 as the American Handicap, when Bing Crosby's and Lindsay C. Howard's Argentine bred Ligorati set a new track record of 1:50 for the 1+1⁄8 miles feature on the dirt track before a crowd of 60,000 at Hollywood Park Racetrack. The event was regularly scheduled for many of its runnings on the Fourth of July holiday attracting massive crowds especially in the 1950s and 1960s.
In its early runnings, the event became a main preparatory event for the Hollywood Gold Cup. The event attracted many fine horses who went on to complete the double. These include Argentine bred Kayak II in 1939, the Irish bred Champion Noor in 1950, the 1948 Triple Crown champion Citation in 1951, Irish bred Royal Serenade in 1953, 1953 Kentucky Derby winner Swaps in 1956, Hillsdale in 1959, Prove It in 1962, South African bred Colorado King in 1964, Native Diver in 1965. In 1968 the event was moved to the turf track. The Argentine bred Figonero in 1969 and in 1971 US Horse of the Year Ack Ack were able to complete the American Handicap–Hollywood Gold Cup double.
The race was not run in 1942 or 1943, due to Hollywood Park being closed. In 1949, the event was held at Santa Anita Park, due to a devastating fire at Hollywood Park on the night of May 5, 1949.
The South African import Colorado King equalled the then-current world record for 1+1⁄8 miles in winning the 1964 edition.
Two mares have won this event, Pink Pigeon in 1968 and Toussaud in 1993.
The event was run in divisions in 1969 and 1975.
The event was a Grade II from 1973 to 1987, gaining Grade I status for 1988 and 1989. The event was downgraded to Grade III in 2014.
In 2011, the distance was shortened to one mile from nine furlongs.
On the closing of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event has been held at Santa Anita Park.

## Records

Speed record:
* 1 mile: 1:32:08 – Johannes (2024)
* 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:45.60 – Clever Song (1987)
Margins:
* 7 lengths - Pink Pigeon (1968)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 8 - Bill Shoemaker (1954, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 7 - Charles Whittingham (1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 - Charles S. Howard (1939, 1941, 1950)
* 3 - Rex C. Ellsworth (1956, 1962, 1963)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| At Santa Anita Park – American Stakes |||||||||||
| 2024 | Johannes | 4 | Umberto Rispoli | Tim Yakteen | Cuyathy | 1 mile | 1:32:08 | $102,500 | III | |
| 2023 | Exaulted | 6 | Juan Hernandez | Peter Eurton | C R K Stable | 1 mile | 1:33.65 | $100,500 | III | |
| 2022 | Hong Kong Harry (IRE) | 5 | Ramon A. Vazquez | Philip D'Amato | Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa & Tony Valazza | 1 mile | 1:33.87 | $102,500 | III | |
| 2021 | Restrainedvengence | 6 | Tyler Baze | Val Brinkerhoff | Kelly Brinkerhoff & Bob Grayson Jr. | 1 mile | 1:33.87 | $100,500 | III | |
| 2020 | Blitzkrieg | 4 | Victor Espinoza | Doug F. O'Neill | R3 Racing & Calara Farm | 1 mile | 1:33.46 | $102,000 | III | |
| 2019 | Majestic Eagle | 4 | Rafael Bejarano | Neil D. Drysdale | John Lindley & Ray Morton | 1 mile | 1:34.57 | $100,351 | III | |
| 2018 | What a View | 7 | Stewart Elliott | Kenneth D. Black | Finish Line Racing, The Elwood Johnston Trust & Taste of Victory Stables | 1 mile | 1:33.80 | $100,690 | III | |
| 2017 | Pee Wee Reese | 4 | Joseph Talamo | Philip D'Amato | Nicholas B. Alexander | 1 mile | 1:32.26 | $101,035 | III | |
| 2016 | Home Run Kitten | 5 | Joseph Talamo | David E. Hofmans | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1 mile | 1:35.30 | $100,345 | III | |
| 2015 | Bal a Bali (BRZ) | 5 | Flavien Prat | Richard E. Mandella | Fox Hill Farms & Sienna Farms | 1 mile | 1:35.69 | $100,750 | III | |
| 2014 | Obviously (IRE) | 6 | Joseph Talamo | Philip D'Amato | Anthony Fanticola & Joseph Scardino | 1 mile | 1:33.39 | $98,000 | III | |
| At Hollywood Park – American Handicap |||||||||||
| 2013 | Obviously (IRE) | 5 | Joseph Talamo | Mike R. Mitchell | Anthony Fanticola & Joseph Scardino | 1 mile | 1:32.95 | $150,250 | II | |
| 2012 | Wilkinson | 4 | Martin A. Pedroza | Jeff Mullins | Edward K. Gaylord II | 1 mile | 1:33.37 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2011 | Ryehill Dreamer (IRE) | 5 | Joseph Talamo | Julio C. Canani | Marsha Naify | 1 mile | 1:33.55 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2010 | Global Hunter (ARG) | 7 | Brice Blanc | A. C. Avila | L-Bo Racing & Monte Pyle | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Monterey Jazz | 5 | Tyler Baze | Craig Dollase | A&R Stables & Class Racing Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.11 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2008 | Whatsthescript (IRE) | 4 | Isaias D. Enriquez | John W. Sadler | Tommy Town Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.34 | $250,000 | II | |
| American Invitational Handicap |||||||||||
| 2007 | Out of Control (BRZ) | 4 | Michael Baze | Robert J. Frankel | Stud TNT | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.89 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2006 | The Tin Man | 8 | Victor Espinoza | Richard E. Mandella | Aury & Ralph E. Todd | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.24 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2005 | Whilly (IRE) | 4 | Felipe F. Martinez | Doug F. O'Neill | Triple B Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.30 | $250,000 | II | |
| American Handicap |||||||||||
| 2004 | Bayamo (IRE) | 5 | David R. Flores | Julio C. Canani | Prestonwood Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.60 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Candy Ride (ARG) | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Ron McAnally | Sidney & Jenny Craig | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.20 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2002 | The Tin Man | 4 | Mike E. Smith | Richard E. Mandella | Aury & Ralph E. Todd | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.82 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2001 | Takarian (IRE) | 6 | Garrett K. Gomez | C. Beau Greely | Columbine Stable, John Greely III & Tom Nichols | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.19 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Dark Moondancer (GB) | 5 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Charles Cella | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.74 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1999 | Takarian (IRE) | 4 | Garrett K. Gomez | C. Beau Greely | Columbine Stable, John Greely III & Tom Nichols | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.37 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1998 | Magellan | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Ben D. A. Cecil | Gary A. Tanaka | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.05 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1997 | El Angelo | 5 | Alex O. Solis | Jenine Sahadi | Evergreen Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.99 | $160,600 | II | |
| 1996 | Labeeb (GB) | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Neil D. Drysdale | Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:45.78 | $110,200 | II | |
| 1995 | Silver Wizard | 5 | Gary L. Stevens | Neil D. Drysdale | Shirley Robins | abt. 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.02 | $159,400 | II | |
| 1994 | Blues Traveller (IRE) | 4 | Chris Antley | Rodney Rash | Gary A. Tanaka | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.50 | $218,000 | II | |
| 1993 | † Toussaud | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.87 | $200,000 | II | |
| 1992 | Man From Eldorado | 4 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Neil D. Drysdale | Peter D. Savill | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.11 | $212,000 | II | |
| 1991 | Tight Spot | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Ron McAnally | Corradini, VHW Stables & Whitham, et al | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.00 | $219,400 | II | |
| 1990 | Classic Fame | 4 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Gary F. Jones | Classic Thoroughbreds & Prestonwood Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $216,800 | II | |
| 1989 | Mister Wonderful (GB) | 6 | Fernando Toro | Richard E. Mandella | Steve M. Taub | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $318,600 | I | |
| 1988 | Skip Out Front | 6 | Chris McCarron | Michael S. Harmatuck | Ann Gaffey | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.40 | $205,800 | I | |
| 1987 | Clever Song | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | John Gosden | MBH Stables | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:45.60 | $217,800 | II | |
| 1986 | Al Mamoon | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | Robert J. Frankel | Edmund A. Gann & Bertram R. Firestone | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:39.20 | $161,000 | II | |
| 1985 | Tsunami Slew | 4 | Gary L. Stevens | Edwin J. Gregson | Royal Lines (Lessee) | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.20 | $207,800 | II | |
| 1984 | Bel Bolide | 6 | Terry Lipham | John Gosden | Stonechurch Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $164,100 | II | |
| 1983 | John Henry | 8 | Chris McCarron | Ron McAnally | Dotsam Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $164,600 | II | |
| 1982 | § Spence Bay (IRE) | 7 | Fernando Toro | Randy Winick | Hunt & Summa Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $167,800 | II | |
| 1981 | Bold Tropic (SAF) | 6 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Mr. & Mrs. Cyril Hurvitz | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $165,600 | II | |
| 1980 | Bold Tropic (SAF) | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Mr. & Mrs. Cyril Hurvitz | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.40 | $110,700 | II | |
| 1979 | Smoggy (GB) | 5 | Darrel McHargue | Don Combs | Double Eagle Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.40 | $110,500 | II | |
| 1978 | Effervescing | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | Mel Hatley & Albert Yank | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $110,500 | II | |
| 1977 | Hunza Dancer | 5 | Jean Cruguet | Arthur E. Breasley | Ravi Tikkoo | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $113,900 | II | |
| 1976 | § King Pellinore | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | John Mulcahy | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $81,950 | II | |
| 1975 | Pass the Glass | 4 | Fernando Toro | Thomas A. Pratt | Herman Sarkowsky | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $87,550 | II | Division 1 |
| 1975 | Montmartre | 5 | Fernando Toro | John Bucalo | William Breliant | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.60 | $85,550 | II | Division 2 |
| 1974 | Plunk | 4 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Buster Millerick | Richard Craigo | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $86,650 | II | |
| 1973 | Kentuckian | 4 | Rudy Campas | Paul K. Parker | Preston Madden | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $84,150 | II | |
| 1972 | Buzkashi | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Marjorie L. Everett | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.60 | $83,300 | | |
| 1971 | Ack Ack | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Forked Lightning Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $79,850 | | |
| 1970 | § Fiddle Isle | 5 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Howard B. Keck | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $54,250 | | |
| 1969 | Figonero (ARG) | 5 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Warren Stute | Clement L. Hirsch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $55,750 | | Division 1 |
| 1969 | Poleax | 4 | Donald R. Pierce | Wally Dunn | Fritz Hawn | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $54,250 | | Division 2 |
| 1968 | † Pink Pigeon | 4 | William Harris | Paul K. Parker | Patrick Madden | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $56,800 | | |
| 1967 | Pretense | 4 | Johnny Sellers | Charles E. Whittingham | Llangollen Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.00 | $54,700 | | |
| 1966 | Travel Orb | 4 | William Harmatz | Leonard Dorfman | Floyd Hughes & George Dimick | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $56,650 | | |
| 1965 | Native Diver | 6 | Jerry Lambert | Buster Millerick | Mr. & Mrs Louis K. Shapiro | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $53,750 | | |
| 1964 | Colorado King (SAF) | 5 | Ray York | Wally Dunn | Poltex Stable, Fritz Hawn, Keith Freeman & Roland Bond | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.40 | $55,200 | | |
| 1963 | Dr. Kacy | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | Rex C. Ellsworth | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $57,050 | | |
| 1962 | Prove It | 5 | Henry E. Moreno | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $55,350 | | |
| 1961 | § Prince Blessed | 4 | Johnny Longden | James I. Nazworthy | Kerr Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $55,800 | | |
| 1960 | Prize Host | 4 | William Harmatz | William Simpson | Circle TWP Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $54,200 | | |
| 1959 | Hillsdale | 4 | Tommy Barrow | Martin L. Fallon Jr. | Clarence Whitted Smith | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.20 | $53,650 | | |
| 1958 | How Now | 5 | William Harmatz | Cecil C. Jolly | George C. Newell | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.80 | $54,200 | | |
| 1957 | Find | 7 | Ralph Neves | William C. Winfrey | Alfred G. Vanderbilt | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.00 | $55,550 | | |
| 1956 | Swaps | 4 | Henry E. Moreno | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $103,250 | | |
| 1955 | Alidon | 4 | Johnny Longden | William Molter | Louis B. Mayer | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:46.80 | $53,750 | | |
| 1954 | § Rejected | 4 | Bill Shoemaker | William J. Hirsch | King Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.00 | $55,150 | | |
| 1953 | § Royal Serenade (IRE) | 5 | Johnny Longden | Vance Longden | Alberta Ranches, Ltd. | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.60 | $56,550 | | |
| 1952 | § Admiral Drake | 4 | Gordon Glisson | William F. Alvarado | Abraham Hirschberg | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $56,000 | | |
| 1951 | § Citation | 6 | Steve Brooks | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.40 | $56,250 | | |
| 1950 | Noor | 5 | Johnny Longden | Burley Parke | Charles S. Howard | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:00.20 | $56,250 | | |
| At Santa Anita Park |||||||||||
| 1949 | Double Jay | 5 | Carroll Bierman | Walter C. McCue | James V. Tigani & James Boines | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.60 | $56,500 | | |
| At Hollywood Park |||||||||||
| 1948 | § Stepfather | 4 | Gene Pederson | Wayne B. Stucki | W. L. Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.40 | $55,500 | | |
| 1947 | Burning Dream | 5 | Johnny Longden | William Molter | Muriel Vanderbilt Adams | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:48.20 | $56,850 | | |
| 1946 | Quick Reward | 4 | Anthony Skoronski | Elwood L. Fitzgerald | Norman W. Church | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.20 | $57,250 | | |
| 1945 | § Bull Reigh | 7 | Hubert Trent | Hack Ross | Carlotta D. Jelm | 1+1⁄16 miles | 1:43.40 | $60,100 | | |
| 1944 | Paperboy | 4 | George Woolf | Jimmy Coleman | W. L. Ranch | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.60 | $27,850 | | |
| 1942–1943 | 1942–1943 | 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 |
| 1941 | Mioland | 4 | Leon Haas | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.40 | $22,750 | | |
| 1940 | Viscounty | 4 | Nunzio Pariso | Frank Catrone | Valdana Farms | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:47.60 | $15,950 | | |
| 1939 | Kayak II (ARG) | 4 | George Woolf | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.80 | $15,800 | | |
| 1938 | Ligaroti (ARG) | 6 | Noel Richardson | Lindsay C. Howard | Binglin Stable | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.00 | $8,750 | | |
Legend:
 Turf  Dirt
Notes:
† Filly or Mare
§ Ran as part of an entry