The Pocahontas Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old fillies over a distance of one mile on the dirt scheduled annually in September at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

History The race was first held on Thanksgiving Day, 27 November 1969, and was fittingly named for Pocahontas, the daughter of Native-American chief Powhatan, who aided the early American settlers, and the same-named Pocahontas, the 19th-century British-bred thoroughbred mare, who had a great influence on the breed.

The stakes race remained a Thanksgiving Day event until 1982, when it was moved to the early weeks of the Fall Meet.

The event was first classified as a Grade III race in 2005 and a Grade II race in 2010. In 2020, the event was downgraded back to Grade III.

The distance of the race originated at 7 furlongs and was run at that distance for the first 13 years, from 1969 to 1981. The distance was changed to one mile beginning in 1982 and continued at that distance through 2012. In 2013, the distance was increased to miles. In 2020 and 2023, the event was reduced back to 1 mile.

The event was split into divisions eight times, with the last occurrence in 1983.

The new scheduling allowed the Pocahontas to become a major prep for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. It is a "Win and You're In" race in the Breeders' Cup Challenge series.

The Pocahontas is the first step on the annual Road to the Kentucky Oaks, a points system to qualify for the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in the spring of the following year.

Records Speed record miles: 1:43.78 – Hidden Connection (2021) 1 mile: 1:34.57 – Sara Louise (2008) 7 furlongs: 1:22.40 – Fair Ye Well (1970)

Margins lengths – Serengeti Empress (2018)

Most wins by a jockey 7 – Pat Day (1983 div.1, 1983 div.2, 1984, 1987, 1994, 1995, 2004)

Most wins by a trainer 5 – Kenneth G. McPeek (2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2025)

Most wins by an owner 3 – Wilmott Stables (1991, 1996, 1997)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2026Manuka HoneyLuis SaezBrian A. LynchLisa Lee, Jason Sciortino, William Lynch, Brian Howe and Terry Hamilton1 mile1:36.90$300,000III2025Taken by the Wind Irad Ortiz Jr.Kenneth G. McPeekMagdalena Racing, Terry Bradshaw & Graham Leveston1 mile 1:36.50$251,250 III2024La CaraRicardo Santana Jr.Mark E. Casse Tracy Farmer1 mile 1:37.82$292,335III2023V V's Dream Brian Hernandez Jr.Kenneth G. McPeekMJM Racing1 mile 1:36.45$300,000III2022Fun and Feisty Julien LeparouxKenneth G. McPeekLucky Seven Stable miles1:45.86$297,536III2021Hidden Connection Reylu GutierrezW. Bret CalhounHidden Brook Farm and Black Type Thoroughbreds miles1:43.78$299,700III2020Girl DaddyJoseph TalamoDale RomansAlbaugh Family Stables LLC1 mile1:34.94$200,000III2019Lazy DaisyAbel CedilloDoug F. O'NeillERJ Racing, Great Friends Stable & Tom Mansor miles1:44.89$200,000II2018Serengeti EmpressCorey J. LanerieThomas M. AmossJoel Politi miles1:45.47$200,000II2017Patrona MargaritaBrian Hernandez Jr.W. Bret CalhounCraig D. Upham miles1:46.35$200,000II2016Daddys Lil DarlingCorey J. LanerieKenneth G. McPeekNormandy Farm miles1:47.19$200,000II2015Dothraki QueenCorey J. LanerieKenneth G. McPeekMagdalena Racing miles1:45.80$200,000II2014Cristina's JourneyMiguel MenaDale L. RomansGSN Racing miles1:46.37$231,000II2013UntapableRosie NapravnikWinchell Thoroughbreds miles1:44.38$168,150II2012SignRosie NapravnikAlbert Stall Jr.Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider1 mile1:38.63$168,150II2011On Fire BabyJoe M. JohnsonGary G. HartlageAnita Cauley1 mile1:37.17$173,400II2010DancinginherdreamsJulien R. LeparouxJohn T. Ward Jr.John C. Oxley1 mile1:38.59$165,450II2009Sassy ImageRobby AlbaradoDale L. RomansJerry Romans Jr.1 mile1:38.62$115,900III2008Sara LouiseRobby AlbaradoDale L. RomansEldon Farm1 mile1:34.57$110,400III2007Pure ClanJulien R. LeparouxRobert E. HolthusLewis G. Lakin1 mile1:38.30$185,700III2006Change UpGarrett K. GomezSteven B. FlintRichard, Bertram & Elaine Klein1 mile1:35.97$114,300III2005French ParkMark GuidryHelen Pitts-BlasiSteve Stan Stables1 mile1:37.19$120,600III2004Punch AppealPat DaySteven M. AsmussenHeiligbrodt Racing & Burning Day Farm1 mile1:37.77$109,500 Listed 2003Stellar JayneCornelio VelásquezD. Wayne LukasSpendthrift Farm, Chuck Kidder, Nancy Cole & Nick Strong 1 mile1:38.97$112,300Listed 2002Belle of PerintownMark GuidryEddie KenneallyKen Mahler & Jamie Schloss1 mile1:36.52$111,100Listed 2001Lotta RhythmMarlon St. JulienHal R. WigginsDolphus Morrison1 mile1:37.96$111,500 Listed 2000Unbridled ElaineShane SellersDallas StewartRoger J. Devenport1 mile1:34.82$113,000Listed 1999Crown of CrimsonRobby AlbaradoBob BaffertGolden Eagle Farm1 mile1:37.81$112,600 Listed 1998The Happy HopperWillie MartinezRobert E. HolthusKerry & Linda Ozment1 mile1:37.73$113,300 Listed 1997Mission ParkCalvin H. BorelPeter M. VestalWillmott Stables1 mile1:38.55$113,600Listed 1996Water StreetCraig PerretPeter M. VestalWillmott Stables1 mile1:36.90$112,800 Listed 1995BirrPat DayW. Elliott WaldenPrestonwood Farm1 mile1:36.84$113,200Listed 1994Minister WifePat DayD. Wayne LukasFares Farm1 mile1:38.64$112,900 Listed 1993At the HalfShane SellersCarl BowmanWayne G. Lyster, III1 mile1:38.13$116,400 Listed 1992Coni BugShane SellersAnthony J. GranitzWheeler Farm1 mile1:37.85$84,150 Listed 1991FretinaJames Edward BruinPeter M. VestalPeter S. Willmott1 mile1:40.25$85,350 Listed 1990Middlefork RapidsRoberto M. GonzalezTerry KnightDame Construction Company 1 mile1:38.00$58,000 1989CrownedMike E. SmithWilliam I. MottBohemia Stable 1 mile1:39.80$55,400 1988§ Solid EightRandy RomeroD. Wayne LukasD. Wayne Lukas & Paternostro 1 mile1:40.60$55,800 1987Epitome Pat DayPhilip M. HauswaldJohn A. Bell III1 mile1:38.20$53,775 1986BestofbothworldsPatricia CookseyIrvin JackJudy Owens 1 mile1:42.60$54,345 1985Prime UnionDarrell Ellis FosterThomas M. UptonJohn McGarrah 1 mile1:38.40$43,050 1985 Pocahontas Stakes – Race 8: held 27 October 19851984Gallant LibbyPat DayMickey A. GoldfineArthur I. Appleton 1 mile1:41.80$30,650 1984 Pocahontas Stakes – Race 8: held 4 November 19841983GeevillaPat DayWilliam I. MottJ. C. Clements 1 mile1:40.20$28,687 FlippersPat DaySteven C. PenrodClaiborne Farm 1 mile1:39.80$30,1871983 Pocahontas Stakes Division 2 – Race 8: held 12 November 19831982Brindy BrindyJulio C. EspinozaJack Van BergWajima Farm 1 mile1:38.20$29,375 Weekend Surprise Don BrumfieldDel W. Carroll IIWilliam S. Farish III & William S. Kilroy1 mile1:37.80$29,7501982 Pocahontas Stakes Division 2 – Race 8: held 11 November 19821981Majestic GoldJulio C. EspinozaWilliam E. AdamsFrederick Lehmann 7 furlongs1:26.80$31,075 Taylor ParkJames McKnightStanley M. RieserIndian Creek Farm 7 furlongs1:26.40$31,7001981 Pocahontas Stakes Division 2 – Race 8: held 26 November 19811980Kathy T.Larry MelanconDoug UdoujMrs. Carl Udouj 7 furlongs1:27.60$28,800 Masters DreamGerland GallitanoWilliam E. AdamsGolden Chance Farm (Robert & Verna Lehmann)7 furlongs1:27.40$30,925 1980 Pocahontas Stakes Division 2 – Race 8: held 27 November 19801979Dancing BladeAnthony BlackHoss InmanSunrise Farm & Hoss Inman 7 furlongs1:26.80$26,150 1978StarclockRichard DepassCharles R. WerstlerMary V. Fisher 7 furlongs1:25.40$22,800 SafeEarlie FiresJoseph M. BolleroElizabeth Brisbine 7 furlongs1:25.60$23,0501978 Pocahontas Stakes Division 2 – Race 8: held 23 November 19781977Plains and SimpleJohn T. Ward Jr.Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney 7 furlongs1:25.20$22,938 Rainy PrincessLarry SnyderFrank L. BrothersW. H. Snyder 7 furlongs1:25.20$22,9381977 Mint Julep Handicap Division 2 – Race 8: held 25 November 19781976Sweet AllianceChris McCarronBud DelpWindfields Farm 7 furlongs1:25.60$22,538 CiaoWilliam GavidiaAlice ChandlerMill Ridge Farm 7 furlongs1:27.00$22,788 1975Alvarada Don BrumfieldDon Combs Thomas McKinley & Alex Parker 7 furlongs1:27.60$24,525 1974My Juliet Alan HillSteve A. Long George Weasel 7 furlongs1:23.60$24,525 1973Fairway FableDavid WhitedJohn J. Greely III William Floyd 7 furlongs1:26.00$23,550 § Shoo DearDonald BrumfieldGeorge T. Poole Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney 7 furlongs1:27.80$23,550 1972Vaguely FamiliarGerman Vasquez Mickey Goldfine Arthur I. Appleton 7 furlongs1:25.80$25,100 1971Candid CatherineEarl J. KnappEverett W. King Mrs. Lloyd I. Miller 7 furlongs1:25.80$24,125 1970Fair Ye Well David Niblick Harvey L. VanierDr. Louis F. Aitken 7 furlongs1:22.40$22,550 1969Artists Proof Doug RichardDel W. CarrollMichael G. Phipps 7 furlongs1:24.20$23,825

Notes:

† Divisions of the event in 1973, 1976 and 1977 were run on different days

§ Ran as part of an entry

See also Road to the Kentucky Oaks List of American and Canadian Graded races

References