The Phoenix Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of six furlongs and currently offers a purse of $350,000. Raced in early October, prior to 1989 it was run during the track's spring meeting. It became a Grade III event in 2000, then was upgraded to Grade II status in 2016.
Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the winner of the Phoenix Stakes automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
History
Founded in 1831 with the name from the local Phoenix Hotel, it is the oldest thoroughbred horse race in North America though it has not been run continuously. Hosted by the Kentucky Association racetrack in Lexington until 1930, the event was restarted at Keeneland Race Course in 1937. From 1943 to 1945, the race was renewed as part of the Keeneland-at-Churchill Downs meetings. Over the years it has been called the Brennan, Chiles, Phoenix, Association, Phoenix Hotel Stakes and Phoenix Handicap.
The Phoenix Stakes was raced on dirt until 2006 when Keeneland Race Course installed a synthetic Polytrack surface. In 2014, the Polytrack was replaced by a new dirt surface. As a result of these changes, Keeneland maintains separate sets of track records.
The 2016 Phoenix Stakes was the 164th running on the race. A. P. Indian won while establishing a track record for the new dirt surface.
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of 6 furlongs) 1:07.60 - Anjiz (1993 on old dirt surface) 1:08.43 - A. P. Indian (2016 on new dirt surface) Most wins by a jockey:
5 – Julio C. Espinoza (1972, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982)
Most wins by a trainer:
3 – D. Wayne Lukas (1991, 1994, 1998)
Most wins by an owner:
2 – Robert E. Lehmann (1972, 1973) 2 – Anthony L. Zuppardo (1980, 1981) 2 – Overbrook Farm (1991, 1994) 2 – Klaravich Stables (2012, 2013)
Winners since 1972
Earlier winners
1971 - Great Mystery
1970 - Paderoso
1969 - Lithiot
1968 - Miracle Hill
1967 - Moccasin
1966 - Bay Phantom
1965 - Gallant Romeo
1964 - Choker
1963 - Editorialist (always race without a whip) 1962 - Editorialist 1961 - Eight Again 1960 - Court Affair 1959 - Bumpy Road 1958 - Ezgo 1957 - Bandit 1956 - Sea O' Erin 1955 - Sea O' Erin (raced for years) 1954 - Pomace 1953 - Pet Bully 1952 - Hill Gail 1951 - Mount Marcy 1950 - Mount Marcy 1949 - Miss Neal (Filly) 1948 - Coaltown 1947 - George Gains 1946 - Sirius 1945 - Best Effort 1944 - Roman Sox (Filly) 1943 - Miss Dogwood (Filly) 1942 - Devil Diver 1941 - Cherry Jam 1940 - Easy Mon 1939 - Torchy 1938 - Main Man 1937 - Preeminent 1931 to 1936 - RACE NOT RUN 1930 - Montanaro 1928 - Luxembourg 1927 - Percentage 1926 - Marconi 1925 - Almadel 1924 - Chacolet (Filly) 1923 - Minto II (Laverne Fator) 1922 - Advocate 1921 - General Haig 1920 - Buford 1919 - Opportunity 1918 - Embroidery (Filly) 1917 - Grover Hughes 1913 - Flora Fina (Filly) (Champion Handicap Female) 1912 - Mockler 1911 - Countless 1906 to 1910 - no race 1905 - Agile 1898 to 1904 - no race 1897 - Goshen 1896 - Prince Leif 1895 - Halma 1894 - Chant 1893 - Clifford 1892 - Wadsworth 1891 - Kingman 1890 - Ban Chief 1889 - Once Again (3rd in the 1889 Kentucky Derby) 1888 - The Chevalier 1887 - Banburg 1886 - Grimaldi 1885 - Bersan 1884 - Admiral 1883 - Lord Raglan 1882 - Freeland 1881 - Sligo 1880 - Fonso (won the 1880 Kentucky Derby) 1879 - Falsetto 1878 - Himyar 1877 - Brademante (Filly) 1876 - Vagrant (Champion 2-Year-Old Male & Champion 3-Year-Old Male) 1875 - Ten Broeck 1874 - Aaron Pennington 1873 - Artist 1872 - (Filly) 1871 - Molly Cad (Filly) 1870 - Enquirer 1868 - Crossland 1867 - Phoenix Belle (Filly) 1866 - Norway 1865 - Gold Ring (Filly) 1860 - Solferino 1856 - Parachute (Filly) 1855 - Balloon (Filly) 1854 - Charlie Ball 1853 - Lexington 1852 - Star Davis 1841 - Zenith 1840 - Berthune 1839 - Minstrel (Filly) 1838 - Mary Brennan (Filly) 1832 - Virginia (Filly) 1831 - McDonough