The Matt Winn Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of miles on the dirt at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event currently offers a purse of $400,000. It is usually run in mid-June but in 2020 was moved up to mid-May.
History
The race was inaugurated in 2002 in honor Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs's Col. Matt Winn, who served as president and general manager of the historic track from 1902 to 1949. Known by the media as "Mr. Derby," Winn is credited with building the Kentucky Derby into America's greatest race and one of the world's great sports events. The inaugural running was over a distance of six furlongs.
In 2009 the distance was set at 7 furlongs. In 2011, it was changed to its current miles.
In 2011 the event was upgraded to Grade III status.
In 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the event was rescheduled to May 23 from its normal date in mid-June. The race was added to the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby as a result of the rescheduling of that race.
In 2023 the event was moved to Ellis Park after Churchill Downs closed their spring meeting earlier due to a spate of injuries. The distance of the event was increased to miles.
Records Speed Record: miles: 1:41.12 – Gun Runner (2016) miles: 1:49.59 – Disarm (2023)
Margins: lengths – Neck 'n Neck (2012)
Most wins by a jockey 3 – Florent Geroux (2016, 2021, 2022)
Most wins by a trainer 6 – Steve Asmussen (2003, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2023)
Most wins by an Owner 3 – Winchell Thoroughbreds (2014, 2016, 2023)
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Churchill Downs2026Further AdoIrad Ortiz Jr.Brad H. CoxSpendthrift Farm miles1:41.26$500,000III2025East Avenue Luis Saez Brendan P. WalshGodolphin Racing miles1:42.12$387,000 III2024Society Man Corey J. Lanerie Danny GarganReeves Thoroughbred Racing, West Paces Racing, GMP Stables, Carl F. & Yurie Pascarella miles1:42.33$395,000 IIIAt Ellis Park2023DisarmJoel Rosario Steven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds miles1:49.59$400,000IIIAt Churchill Downs2022Cyberknife Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxGold Square LLC miles1:41.98$225,000III2021 Fulsome Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Juddmonte miles 1:42.88$150,000III2020 Maxfield José L. Ortiz Brendan P. Walsh Godolphin miles 1:43.05$150,000III2019 Mr. Money Gabriel Saez W. Bret Calhoun Allied Racing Stable miles 1:42.28$150,000III2018 King Zachary Robby Albarado Dale L. Romans Thomas F. Conway miles 1:42.86$100,000III2017 McCraken Brian Hernandez Jr. Ian R. WilkesWhitham Thoroughbreds miles 1:43.24$100,000III2016 Gun Runner Florent Geroux Steven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimneys Farm & Besilu Stable miles 1:41.12$100,000III2015 Island Town Julien R. Leparoux Ian R. WilkesSix Column Stables et al. miles 1:43.46$100,000III2014 Tapiture Rosie Napravnik Steven M. AsmussenWinchell Thoroughbreds miles 1:43.99$109,400III2013 Code West Rosie Napravnik Bob Baffert Gary & Mary West miles 1:43.37$113,100III2012 Neck 'n Neck Ian R. Wilkes A. Steven Miles Jr. miles 1:43.72$107,100III2011 Scotus Alan Garcia Kenneth G. McPeek Peter Callahan miles 1:44.12$138,500III2010 Thiskyhasnolimit Shaun Bridgmohan Cathy & Bob Zollars & Mark Wagner 7 furlongs 1:22.29$108,000 Listed 2009 Javier Castellano Ian R. Wilkes Joseph Rauch & David Zell 7 furlongs 1:22.89$106,900 Listed 2008 Eaton's Gift Elvis Trujillo Dale L. RomansZayat Stables 6 furlongs 1:09.48$108,800 Listed 2007 Spin Master Miguel Mena Dale L. Romans Eldon Farm 6 furlongs 1:08.30$108,500 Listed 2006 Changing Weather Robby Albarado Eoin G. HartyDarley Racing 6 furlongs 1:09.86$109,800 Listed 2005 Razor Mike E. Smith Steven M. Asmussen Padua Stables 6 furlongs 1:09.48$109,700 Listed 2004 Fire Slam Pat Day David M. Carroll Stan E. Fulton 6 furlongs 1:09.64$103,499 Listed 2003 Posse Corey J. Lanerie Steven M. Asmussen Heiligbrodt Racing Stable 6 furlongs 1:09.43$111,400 Listed 2002 Day Trader Calvin H. Borel D. Wayne LukasOverbrook Farm 6 furlongs 1:09.43$109,600 Listed
References
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races