The Desert Stormer Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares age four and older run over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt held annually in March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
History The inaugural running of the event was on 8 November 1997 as the Desert Stormer Handicap over a distance of furlongs at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California as the first race on the undercard for the Breeders' Cup program. The event was named in honor of Desert Stormer, winner of the 1995 Breeders' Cup Sprint. The following year the event was moved to the spring meeting and held in late April.
In 1999 the distance of the event was decreased to six furlongs.
The event was upgraded to Grade III in 2001.
However, the event was downgraded to a non-graded stakes after the 2005 Grade III edition.
In 2014 with the closure of Hollywood Park Racetrack the event was moved to Santa Anita Park and continued to be scheduled in June as stakes race with allowances.
The event was reinstated with Grade III status for the 2017 running.
In 2023 the event was scheduled in March and the conditions of entry were changed from three-year-olds and over to four-year-olds and over.
In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.
Records Speed record: 1:07.75 - Shh She's Ours (2016)
Margins: lengths – Marley's Freedom (2018)
Most wins: No horse has won this race more than once.
Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Mike E. Smith (2005, 2009, 2010, 2017)
Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Richard Mandella (1997, 1998, 2017) 3 - Bob Baffert (2006, 2011, 2018)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Mr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss (1998, 2009) 2 - Marsha Naify (2007, 2010)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Santa Anita – Desert Stormer Stakes2024Chismosa 4Tiago PereiraRafael DeLeonJaime Roberto Renella6 furlongs1:09.70$100,500Listed2023Dance to the Music 4Juan Hernandez Mark GlattRed Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal 6 furlongs1:10.45$98,000III2022Becca Taylor4Juan Hernandez Steven MiyadiNicholas B. Alexander6 furlongs1:09.35$98,000III2021Race not held2020Bellafina4Flavien PratSimon CallaghanKaleem Shah, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor 6 furlongs1:09.85$101,000III2019Danuska's My Girl5Geovanni FrancoJerry HollendorferBad Boy Racing 6 furlongs1:10.12$92,000III2018Marley's Freedom4Drayden Van DykeBob BaffertCicero Farms 6 furlongs1:09.31$100,000III2017Bendable4Mike E. SmithRichard E. MandellaClaiborne Farm6 furlongs1:09.04$100,000III2016Shh She's Ours4Victor EspinozaJames M. CassidyD P Racing6 furlongs1:07.75$79,300 Listed 2015Amaranth4William Antongeorgi IIIO. J. JaureguiHighland Yard6 furlongs1:09.42$82,000 2014Sagebrush Queen4Edwin A. MaldonadoJorge GutierrezLarry Konecne & Sandi Mattei 6 furlongs1:09.75$94,100 At Hollywood Park – Desert Stormer Handicap 2013Include Me Out5Joseph TalamoRonald W. EllisJay Em Ess Stable6 furlongs1:10.32$77,070 2012Turbulent Descent4David R. FloresMike PuypeBlinkers On Racing Stable6 furlongs1:09.25$72,570 2011Irish Gypsy5Martin GarciaBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram & John G. Sikura6 furlongs1:09.67$76,050 2010Free Flying Soul5Mike E. SmithBruce HeadleyMarsha Naify6 furlongs1:09.10$62,500 2009Coco Belle5Mike E. SmithJohn W. SadlerMr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss6 furlongs1:08.35$72,800 2008Ashley's Kitty4Joseph TalamoTed H. WestOak West Farm6 furlongs1:09.01$81,300 Listed 2007Selvatica6David R. FloresJulio C. Canani Marsha Naify 6 furlongs1:09.58$76,775 Listed 2006My Miss Storm Cat4Victor EspinozaBob BaffertEd Friendly6 furlongs1:09.44$68,690 Listed 2005Puxa Saco5Mike E. SmithJenine SahadiRichard Rowan6 furlongs1:09.79$106,400III2004Coconut Girl5Victor EspinozaPaul G. AguirreJPF Investments 6 furlongs1:08.91$106,000III2003Madame Pietra6Pat ValenzuelaHoward L. ZuckerCarl T. Grether6 furlongs1:09.71$106,800III2002Slewsbox5Laffit Pincay Jr.Chuck PeeryLeonard Dunham & Jerome Gardipee 6 furlongs1:09.57$107,100III2001Go Go4Eddie DelahoussayeWarren StuteAlan B. & Paula Thomas6 furlongs1:08.09$106,000III2000Theresa's Tizzy6Laffit Pincay Jr.Noble ThreewittSam Bellestri, Tex Johnson & Julie Leach, et al6 furlongs1:09.30$108,300 Listed 1999A. P. Assay5Eddie DelahoussayeJ. Paco GonzalezJohn Toffan & Trudy McCaffery6 furlongs1:08.69$106,000 Listed 1998Corona Lake4Eddie DelahoussayeRichard E. MandellaMr. & Mrs. Jerome S. Moss furlongs1:14.71$106,700 Listed 1997Advancing Star4Kent J. DesormeauxRichard E. MandellaGolden Eagle Farm furlongs1:14.21$100,000 Listed
Legend:
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
External links 2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide
References