The Marguerite Stakes was a Thoroughbred horse race at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland run between 1945 and 1965. A race on dirt for two-year-old fillies, it was created as a companion event to the Pimlico Futurity and declared at the time to be one of the richest of its kind in the United States. It was named in honor of Marguerite, one of the great broodmares in racing history. Marguerite was the dam of four significant runners including Triple Crown winner and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Gallant Fox.
Historical notes The inaugural Marguerite Stakes was won by William L. Brann's Challadette, a daughter of the outstanding sire Challenger II whose progeny includes U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees Challedon and Gallorette plus the National Champion fily Bridal Flower. Challadette came into the race having already won the Maryland Futurity in which she beat her male counterparts.
Bed O' Roses easily won the 1949 Marguerite Stakes by three and a half lengths after coming from near the back of the field. She would finish the year as American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and in 1951 would earn another National title. Bed O' Roses career put her in elite company with induction in the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.
Marshua dominated the penultimate edition of the Marguerite Stakes winning in a new race record time by six lengths under jockey Wayne Chambers.
The Marguerite Stakes final edition was run on November 27, 1965 and was won by Swift Lady.
Records Speed record: 1:45.80 @ 6 furlongs - Marshua (1964), Swift Lady (1965)
Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Eric Guerin (1949, 1952) 2 - Bill Hartack (1959, 1960)
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - Burton B. Williams (1946, 1959) 2 - James P. Conway (1952, 1960)
Most wins by an owner: - No owner won this race more than once.
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (Miles) Time Win$1965Swift Lady2John L. RotzIvan H. ParkeHarbor View Farm11:45.80$46,5201964Marshua2Wayne ChambersNorman R. McLeodMrs. Wallace Gilroy11:45.80$42,5161963Is Ours2Joe CulmoneEdward I. Kelly Sr.Brookfield Farm11:46.60$26,8841962Wise Nurse2Willie HarmatzJ. Elliott BurchBrookmeade Stable (Peggy & George Cheston)11:45.60$1961Upswept2Braulio BaezaRobert L. DotterJames Cox Brady Jr.11:46.80$26,6171960Primonetta2Bill HartackJames P. ConwayDarby Dan Farm11:46.40$22,7191959Airmans Guide2Bill HartackBurton B. WilliamsHugh A. Grant Sr.11:46.60$1958Toluene2Karl KorteEdward J. YowellHarold H. Polk11:47.40$16,1001957Wendasy2Sidney ColeJames RadneyKeswick Stables11:45.80$14,2001956Romanita2John H. SkellyFrank SandersReverie Knoll Farm (Freeman Keyes)11:45.00$7,4001955 Race not held1954Proud Pomp2Frank A. SmithThomas J. KellyAda L. Rice11:47.40$34,0251953Make A Play2Bennie GreenThomas A. KellyPin Oak Farm11:47.60$8,5751952-1Grecian Queen2Eric GuerinJames P. ConwayFlorence Whitaker11:48.00$17,0001952-2Mac Bea2Bill BolandMax HirschKing Ranch11:47.80$17,1001951No Score2Ovie ScurlockBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.11:46.80$29,6401950Carolina Queen2Frank BoneE. H. "Ned" GainesCary C. Boshamer11:47.20$28,7941949Bed O' Roses2Eric GuerinWilliam C. WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt Jr.11:45.80$1948Alsab's Day2Robert J. MartinH. C. "Red" DodsonMrs. Albert Sabath11:45.00$27,6401947Whirl Some2Douglas DodsonBen A. JonesCalumet Farm11:46.80$28,0251946Cosmic Missile2Eddie ArcaroBurton B. Williams Circle M Farm (Edward S. Moore)11:45.20$24,6401945Challadette2Arnold KirklandEdward A. ChristmasWilliam L. Brann11:48.20$22,095
References