The Essex Handicap is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-olds and older at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt run annually in March at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The event currently offers a purse of $500,000.

History

Southland Handicap The event was inaugurated on 13 March 1948 as the Southland Handicap a $5,000 handicap event for three-year-olds and older and was won by William H. Bishop owner and trained six-year-old Boden's Pal in a time 1:43. William H. Bishop was from Anna, Illinois where prior to World War II he ran a Horse & Mule Auction and then later become a leading horse trainer in Illinois.

Illinois horsemen had an impact on the early runnings of the event. The 1949 running was won by Jean Denemark's entry of three-year-old Provocative and Enforcer in a small four horse field. Members from the Denemark's family would win the event five times in the first 13 runnings including Racetracker who won the event twice. From Lisle, Illinois, her husband, Emil Denemark, was an established horse breeder who died in 1963.

Another horse in this era to make an impact was the dual winner Little Imp who won in 1953 and 1955. The son of the 1943 Arkansas Derby winner Seven Hearts also finished second in 1952 and third in 1954. In 1954 the distance of the event was decreased to 1 mile and 70 yards.

In 1956 the event was scheduled to be run on Saturday, March 17 but it was not held. In 1957 the winner Sir Tribal set a new track record for the 1 mile and 70 yards distance in 1:40 flat. The event had become a preparatory race for the Oaklawn Handicap, the premier event for old horses which would be held usually one two weeks following the Southland Handicap. Although the distance of the event was shortened to six furlongs only for the 1960 running, the winner Little Fitz would be the first horse to win the Southland–Oaklawn Handicap double in the same year although there had been earlier placegetters of the event who did win the Oaklawn Handicap.

In 1966 the event was won by 1965 Arkansas Derby winner Swift Ruler who set a new track record for the 1 mile and 70 yards distance in 1:39. Swift Ruler would go on and win a unique treble by winning the Razorback Handicap and then the Oaklawn Handicap.

In 1972 the winner of the event, Sado carried 125 lbs, the highest weight by a winner. Sado became the third horse to win the event for the second time as the 6/5 favorite winning by a half length margin in a field of nine.

Essex Handicap

In 1973 the Oaklawn Park administration renamed the event to the Essex Handicap in honor of the former racetrack Essex Park which was also located in Hot Springs, Arkansas and was destroyed by fire in the early 20th century. In 1976 the conditions of the event were changed that three-year-old could not be entered since there were new events available specifically for them.

In 1985 the event was upgraded to a Grade III by the American Graded Stakes Committee. In 1987 the distance of the event was increased by forty yards to one and one-sixteenth miles. Sun Master, winner of the event at the new distance at 1:41 flat continues to hold the stakes record to date. In 1992 the event was scheduled for the first time February.

After twenty-three runnings of the event as Grade III the event lost its graded status for the 2008 running.

With increased revenue from the racino the administration of the track in 2017 began increasing the purse offered for the event. In 2017 the event offered $250,000 and by 2021 an attractive purse of $500,000 was up for grabs. This increase in stakes started to attract much more accomplished gallopers and the American Graded Stakes Committee restored the event back to Grade III for 2022.

Records

Speed record: miles: 1:48.82 – Skippylongstocking (2026) miles: 1:41.00 – Sun Master (1987) 1 miles & 70 yards: 1:39.40 – Swift Ruler (1966)

Margins: 7 lengths – Silver Goblin (1995)

Most wins: 2 – Little Imp (1953, 1955) 2 – Racetracker (1958, 1959) 2 – Sado (1971, 1972) 2 – Rated R Superstar (2019, 2022)

Most wins by an owner: 5 – Denemark Family (1949, 1952, 1958, 1959, 1961)

Most wins by a jockey: 3 – Garth Patterson (1977, 1979, 1981) 3 – Pat Day (1991, 1992, 1993) 3 – Calvin H. Borel (1998, 2007, 2011) 3 – Luis S. Quinonez (2000, 2003, 2012) 3 – Ricardo Santana Jr. (2014, 2013, 2021)

Most wins by a trainer: 3 – D. Wayne Lukas (1987, 1991, 2023) 3 – Steven M. Asmussen (2004, 2021, 2025)

Southland / Essex Handicap – Oaklawn Handicap double: Little Fitz (1960), Wa-Wa Cy (1963), Gay Revoke (1965), Swift Ruler (1966), Warbucks (1975), Silver State (2021)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefEssex Handicap2026Skippylongstocking7Micah J. HusbandsSaffie A. Joseph Jr.Daniel Alonso miles1:48.82$500,000III2025 Red Route One 5 Keith AsmussenSteven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds miles 1:51.67$500,000 III2024 First Mission 4 Florent GerouxBrad H. Cox Godolphin Racing miles 1:49.76$600,000 III2023 Last Samurai 5 Cristian TorresD. Wayne Lukas Willis Horton Racing miles 1:43.17$500,000 III2022 Rated R Superstar 9 David Cabrera Federico Villafranco Danny R. Caldwell miles 1:43.12$500,000 III2021Silver State 4Ricardo Santana Jr.Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds & Willis Horton Racing miles1:42.73$500,000 Listed 2020Night Ops 4Joseph TalamoBrad H. Cox Steve Landers Racing miles1:44.09$350,000 Listed 2019 6Walter De La CruzCipriano Contreras Crystal Racing Enterprises & Contreras Stable miles1:42.66$350,000 Listed 2018Hedge Fund 4Jose L. OrtizTodd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Racing & Head of Plains Partners miles1:42.06$300,000 Listed 2017Mor Spirit 4Mike E. SmithBob Baffert Michael Lund Petersen miles1:41.62$250,000 Listed 2016La Macchina 4Channing HillOtabek Umarov O'zbekiston Racing miles1:45.27$100,000 Listed 2015Golden Lad 5Ricardo Santana Jr.Todd A. Pletcher E. Paul Robsham Stables miles1:44.05$100,000 Listed 2014Right to Vote 5Ricardo Santana Jr.Ron Moquett B J D Thoroughbreds miles1:44.84$100,000Listed 2013Donoharm 4M. Clifton BerryW. Bret Calhoun Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch miles1:44.71$98,000 Listed 2012Alternation 4Luis S. Quinonez Pin Oak Stable miles1:44.95$100,000 Listed 2011Kate's Main Man 6Calvin H. BorelRandy L. Morse Randy Patterson miles1:45.12$100,000Listed 2010Racing Bran 5Christopher A. EmighScott Becker William P. Stiritz miles1:46.13$100,000 Listed 2009Prom Shoes 5William H. FiresPatricia B. Blass miles1:44.21$100,000Listed 2008Spotsgone 5Joe M. JohnsonWilliam H. Fires Robert Yagos miles1:43.72$100,000 Listed 2007Jonesboro 5Calvin H. BorelRandy L. Morse Michael Langford miles1:44.20$100,000III2006Rockport Harbor 4Stewart ElliottJohn C. Servis Fox Hill Farms miles1:47.68$100,000III2005Absent Friend 5Roman ChapaCole NormanH & H Ranch miles1:43.66$100,000III2004Private Emblem 5Timothy T. DoocySteven M. Asmussen James Cassels & Bob Zollars miles1:43.66$100,000III2003Colorful Tour 4Luis S. QuinonezP. Noel Hickey Irish Acres Farm miles1:46.22$100,000III2002Crafty Shaw 4James LopezPeter M. Vestal Lucky Seven Stable miles1:43.14$75,000III2001Mr Ross 6Donald R. PettingerDonnie K. Von Hemel Don C. McNeill miles1:43.59$75,000III2000Maysville Slew 4Luis S. QuinonezC. R. Trout Robert L. Sanford miles1:44.12$75,000III1999Brush With Pride 7Timothy T. DoocySteve HobbyBarbara R. & John E. Smicklas miles1:43.26$75,000III1998Relic Reward 4Calvin H. BorelCecil P. Borel Janelle Grum miles1:43.92$75,000III1997 5Robert Neal Lester Don Von Hemel Sr. Edward J. Dullea miles1:45.94$75,000III1996Classic Fit 6Carlos GonzalezP. Noel Hickey Irish Acres Farm miles1:42.98$76,320III1995Silver Goblin 4Dale W. CordovaKenny P. Smith Al J. Horton miles1:42.10$55,250III1994Greatsilverfleet 4Garrett K. GomezDale Capuano G S F Racing miles1:42.08$53,750III1993Delafield 4Pat DayPeter M. Vestal December Hill Farm miles1:42.11$56,500III1992Allijeba 6Pat DayLarry Robideaux Jr. Robert Allensworth miles1:43.95$57,500III1991Greydar 4Pat DayD. Wayne Lukas Calumet Farm miles1:42.08$57,950III1990Forli Light 4David GuilloryLarry Robideaux Jr. David Beard miles1:42.80$61,550III1989Proper Reality 4Jerry D. BaileyRobert E. Holthus Mrs. James A. Winn miles1:44.00$57,550III1988Savings 5Patrick A. JohnsonGary G. Hartlage Diana Stable miles1:42.60$74,300III1987Sun Master 4 Ricky FrazierD. Wayne Lukas Jeff & D. Wayne Lukas miles1:41.00$61,250III1986Double Ready 6David E. WhitedRandy C. Reed R. B. Oliver1 mile & 70 yards1:41.60$87,700III1985Star Choice 6James McKnightCarl A. Nafzger Frances A. Genter Stable1 mile & 70 yards1:40.60$84,600III1984Le Cou Cou 4Donald Lee HowardJames G. ArnettDuane B. Clark1 mile & 70 yards1:41.80$60,800 1983§ Eminency 5William NemetiJoseph B. Cantey Happy Valley Farm1 mile & 70 yards1:42.40$64,450 1982Plaza Star 4Randy RomeroRonald Ochs Robert DeWitt1 mile & 70 yards1:42.80$63,200 1981Prince Majestic 7Garth PattersonDewey SmithMrs. Joe W. Brown1 mile & 70 yards1:42.40$57,500 1980J. Burns 5James McKnightJ. Bert Sonnier Jer Ed Farms1 mile & 70 yards1:42.80$58,700 1979Cisk 5Garth PattersonGlenn L. Hild Mrs. Carolyn Manning1 mile & 70 yards1:42.40$60,250 1978Mark's Place 6Raul RamirezJoseph B. Cantey Robert D. Bird1 mile & 70 yards1:41.60$60,950 1977§ Go to the Bank 5Garth PattersonPaul T. Adwell Jer Ed Farms1 mile & 70 yards1:42.40$64,200 1976Navajo 6James D. NicholsJames O. KeeferJoseph Stevenson & Raymond Stump 1:41.00$58,250 1975Warbucks 5Danny GarganDonald CombsEdwin E. Elzenmeyer1:40.80$50,000 1974Crimson Falcon 4David E. WhitedPeter W. SalmenCrimson King Farms1:41.60$50,000 1973Hustlin Greek 4John L. LivelyJames E. O'BryantKay O'Bryant & Mary Belts1:41.00$30,000 Southland Handicap1972Sado 5Donald BrumfieldHarold Tinker W. Cal Partee1:41.20$25,000 1971Sado 4Donald BrumfieldHarold Tinker W. Cal Partee1:41.80$25,000 1970Spud 4Eddie ArroyoJames M. LevitchJ. M. Levitch, J. H. Gibson & S. L. Fentress1:42.20$20,000 1969Tenor 6Roberto M. GonzalezL. H. GrimesL. H. Grimes1:44.80$15,000 1968Slade 5Robert F. MundrofLonnie AbshireStanley Conrad1:44.60$12,500 1967Dominar 4Robert NonoJohn D. Askew1:40.20$12,500 1966Swift Ruler 4 Larry R. Spraker Gin L. Collins Earl Allen1:39.40$10,000 1965Gay Revoke 7 Calvin Stone Gomer A. Evans Sr. Gomer A. Evans Sr.1:46.20$10,000 1964Rob Roy III (ARG) 7 Eldon Coffman Doug Carver Sr. Doug Carver Sr.1:41.80$10,000 1963Wa-Wa Cy 4 Earl Van Hook Joseph E. Bilbrey Mrs. I. W. Spicer1:41.00$10,000 1962Interlocutor 4Kenneth GriffithSteve IppolitoJacnot Stable1:42.40$10,000 1961Mangam 6Anthony SkoronskiW. RolandJean Denemark1:39.60$10,000 1960Little Fitz 5William A. PeakeRobert C. SteeleJohn C. Hauer6 furlongs1:11.20$10,000 1959 § Racetracker 6Howard CraigGeorge AlexandraJean Denemark1:40.80$6,500 1958Racetracker 5Howard CraigGeorge AlexandraJean Denemark1:42.00$5,000 1957Sir Tribal 6Anthony SkoronskiSteve IppolitoCharles Fritz1:40.00$5,000 1956Race not held1955Little Imp 8Job Dean JessopRudy TryonCharles H. Everitt1:41.00$5,000 1954Caldwell 7Raymond WilliamsTater WhatleyOlen Sledge1:41.20$5,000 1953Little Imp 6Peter WardRudy TryonCharles H. Everitt miles1:48.40$5,000 1952Robert 3John HeckmanRobert V. McGarveyEmil Denemark Jr. miles1:42.80$5,000 1951Fleet Factor 4Lois C. CookE. E. Manor Jr.Raymond Wilkinson miles1:45.60$5,000 1950Fancy Flyer 5Harold KeeneJack GrillsCarl Graham miles1:45.60$5,000 1949§ Provocative 3Lois C. CookRobert V. McGarveyJean Denemark miles1:43.80$5,000 1948Boden's Pal 6Harold KeeneWilliam H. BishopWilliam H. Bishop miles1:43.80$5,000

Notes:

§ Ran as an entry

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External sites Oaklawn Park Media Guide 2020

References