The Opening Verse Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Churchill Downs. A race on turf over a distance of one mile, it is open to horses of either sex age three and older. The race is named for Opening Verse, winner of the 1991 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs, and was run as the Opening Verse Handicap from inception through 2008.
Historical notes The inaugural running of the Opening Verse took place on June 12, 2004, and was won by Senor Swinger. Owned by prominent Californians Robert & Beverly Lewis and trained by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bob Baffert, Senior Swinger returned to win the race for a second time on June 18, 2005.
In 2013 and again in 2020, weather conditions were such that for safety reasons the race was switched from the turf course to the dirt track.
Records Speed record: 1:34.10 @ 1 mile: Crafty Daddy (2020) 1:40.41 @ 11/16 miles: Turallure (2011)
Most wins: Senor Swinger (2004, 2005)
Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Corey Lanerie (2012, 2017) 2 - Brian Hernandez Jr. (2016, 2020)
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - Bob Baffert (2004, 2005) 2 - Dale L. Romans (2012, 2013) 2 - Steven M. Asmussen (2014, 2018) 2 - Ian R. Wilkes (2016, 2018)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Robert & Beverly Lewis (2004, 2005)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time Win $ Gr.2022Gray's Fable 4Luis SaezRoger L. AttfieldSteve Goldfine, Kari Provost & Jeff Zlonis1 m1:36.22$96,722B/T2021Set Piece4Florent GerouxBrad H. CoxJuddmonte Farm1 m1:38.26$54,126B/T2020Crafty Daddy4Brian Hernandez Jr.Kenneth G. McPeekLucky Seven Stable (Mackin Brothers)1 m1:34.10$71,730B/T2019Siem Riep5James GrahamBen ColebrookMarc Detampel1 m1:35.07$68,776B/T2018Mr Cub4Chris LanderosIan R. WilkesTurf Stable Racing (Rusty Jones)1 m1:34.69$42,780B/T2017Pleuven6Corey LaneriePhilip A. SimsNelson McMakin1 m1:36.15$32,993B/T2016Thatcher Street5Brian Hernandez Jr.Ian R. WilkesRandall L. Bloch, Phil Milner, John Seiler, Amtietan LLC (Fred Merritt)1 m1:38.22$39,780B/T2015The Pizza Man6Florent GerouxRoger BrueggemannMidwest Thoroughbreds, Inc.1-1/16 m1:43.29$32,400B/T2014Regally Ready7Rosie NapravnikSteven M. AsmussenVinery Stables1-1/16 m1:42.26$39,660B/T2013Silver Max4Robby AlbaradoDale L. RomansMark Bacon & Dana Wells1-1/16 m1:44.34 $39,420B/T2012Guys Reward5Corey LanerieDale L. RomansMichael J. Bruder1-1/16 m1:41.98$44,820B/T2011Turallure4Julien LeparouxCharles LoPrestiFour D Stable (Donna Arnold)1-1/16 m1:40.41$46,380B/T2010Tizdejavu5Jesús CastañónGregory J. FoxMichael Cooper & Pamela Ziebarth1-1/16 m1:42.35$37,800B/T2009 Race not held2008Inca King4Shaun BridgmohanSteven M. AsmussenHeiligbrodt Racing Stable 1-1/16 m1:42.39$70,503L/R2007Therecomesatiger5Jamie TheriotThomas F. ProctorCharles R. Patton1-1/16 m1:43.64$67,270L/R2006Rush Bay4Rafael BejaranoThomas M. AmossMueller Thoroughbred Stable, Ltd. & Phoebe Mueller1-1/16 m1:42.52$67,580L/R2005Senor Swinger5Brice BlancBob BaffertRobert Lewis & Beverly Lewis1-1/16 m1:42.07$68,9442004Senor Swinger4Pat DayBob BaffertRobert Lewis & Beverly Lewis1-1/16 m1:45.82$68,758
References