The William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. A Grade III event open to three-year-old horses and up, it is contested on dirt over a distance of miles (nine furlongs). This race had been run as the Never Bend Handicap from its inception in 1987 through 1993.
Namesake
The race was named in honor of former Maryland Governor and industry advocate William Donald Schaefer (1921-2011). Schaefer was an American politician who served in public office for 50 years at both the state and local level in Maryland. A Democrat, he served as mayor of Baltimore from 1971 to 1987, the 58th Governor of Maryland from 1987 to 1995, and the Comptroller of Maryland from 1999 to 2007.2007 Maryland Jockey Club Media Guide, page 47 on March 3, 2007.
Race info The William Donald Schaefer Handicap became an American graded stakes race in 2001. In 2007, the race was won by West Point Thoroughbred's Flashy Bull a multiple grade one winner including a win in the Stephen Foster Handicap. The stakes record was held by Tidal Surge who won the race in 1995 in a time of 1:48.19.
Records
Speed record: miles - 1:47.10 - Private Terms (1989) miles - 1:42.20 - Senator to Be (1991)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - West Point Thoroughbreds (2004, 2007)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 - Jerry Bailey (1998, 2001, 2005) 3 - Pat Day (1991, 1992, 2000)
Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Nick Zito (1991, 1992, 1998)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade2011 Apart5 Garrett Gomez Albert Stall Jr. Adele B. Dilschneider1-1/161:43.70 $100,000III2010 Blame4 Garrett Gomez Albert Stall Jr. Dlschneider/Claiborne Farm1-1/161:43.40 $100,000III2009 No Advantage4 J. D. Acosta Stephanie Beattie Joe Besecker & Kirk Wycoff1-1/161:42.79$100,000III2008 No Race - No Race No Race No Raceno race0:00.00no raceIII2007Flashy Bull4Alan GarciaKiaran McLaughlinWest Point Thoroughbreds1-1/81:47.20 $100,000III2006Master Command4Garrett GomezTodd A. PletcherAaron & Marie Jones1-1/81:49.42$100,000III2005Zakocity4Jerry BaileyPatrick L. ReynoldsPaul Pompa, Jr.1-1/81:49.19$100,000III2004Seattle Fitz5Richard MiglioreKiaran McLaughlinWest Point Thoroughbreds1-1/81:49.43$100,000III2003Windsor Castle5José A. SantosFrank A. AlexanderDogwood Stable1-1/81:50.08$100,000III2002Tenpins4Robby AlbaradoDonald R. WinfreeJoseph Vitello1-1/81:50.20$100,000III2001Perfect Cat4Jerry BaileyMark A. HennigEdward P. Evans1-1/81:49.55$100,000III2000Ecton Park4Pat DayW. Elliott WaldenMark H. Stanley1-1/81:49.21$100,000III1999Perfect to a Tee7A. C. CortezLinda L. AlbertNonsequitur Stable1-1/81:49.20$100,000III1998Acceptable4Jerry BaileyNick ZitoKinsman Stable1-1/81:48.76$100,000III1997Western Echo5Edgar PradoBud DelpHarry C. & Tom O. Meyerhoff1-1/81:49.41$100,000III1996Canaveral5Shane SellersH. Graham MotionMorven Stud1-1/81:49.03$100,000III1995Tidal Surge5Jeff D. CarleTimothy F. Ritcheynot found1-1/81:48.19$100,000III1994Taking Risks4Mark T. JohnstonKing T. LeatherburyLakeville Stables1-1/81:49.53$75,000III1993Root Boy5Herb McCauleyLouis D. Bernier, Jr.Richard F. Blue, Jr.1-1/161:42.60$75,000III1992Senator to Be6Pat DayNick ZitoBCC Stable1-1/161:42.60$51,000III1991Senator to Be5Pat DayNick ZitoBCC Stable1-1/161:42.20$50,000III1990Flaming Emperor4"Jo Jo" LadnerKenny CoxHideaway Farms1-1/81:49.60$50,000III1989Private Terms4Kent DesormeauxCharles HadryStuart Janney, Jr.1-1/81:47.10$50,000III1988Little Bold John6Donnie Miller Jr.Jerry RobbJohn E. Owens1-1/81:50.20$55,0001987Brilliant Stepper5Allen StacyKing T. LeatherburyCot Campbell1-3/161:58.20$55,000
See also William Donald Schaefer Handicap top three finishers
References