The San Rafael Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Santa Anita Park, located in Arcadia, California. The race was a Grade III event with a purse of $150,000 and was open to three-year-olds willing to race one mile (8 furlongs) on the facility's dirt race track.
Prior to 2005, the race was held in early March. Beginning in 2005, the race was moved to mid-January to offer a better fit to trainers to race in the Sham Stakes, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (formerly known as the Santa Catalina Stakes) and the San Felipe Stakes. It became the year's first official prep race for the U.S. Triple Crown series. However, after Conveyance's win in 2010, Santa Anita has stopped running this event.
On November 28, 2007, this Grade II stakes race was downgraded to a Grade III by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
Records Speed record: 1:33.37 - El Gato Malo (2008) (On Cushion Track) 1:34.40 - Prince Spellbound (1982) (on dirt)
Most wins by a jockey: 5 - Chris McCarron (1983, 1984, 1986, 1991, 2002) 5 - Gary Stevens (1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 2005)
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - Laz S. Barrera (1985, 1990) 2 - Craig A. Lewis (1989, 1995) 2 - Neil Drysdale (1992, 2000) 2 - D. Wayne Lukas (1994, 1996) 2 - Wallace Dollase (1998, 1999)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Thoroughbred Corp. (1998, 1999)
Winners of the San Rafael Stakes Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time2010ConveyanceGarrett GomezBob BaffertZabeel Racing International 1:36.452009The PamplemousseAlex SolisJulio C. CananiAlex Solis, Jr.1:35.312008El Gato MaloDavid R. FloresCraig DollaseWest Point Thoroughbreds1:33.372007 NotionalCorey NakataniDoug O'NeillJ. Paul Reddam1:36.482006Brother DerekAlex SolisDan HendricksCecil N. Peacock1:36.112005 Spanish ChestnutGary StevensPatrick BianconeSmith & Tabor1:36.692004 ImperialismVictor EspinozaKristin MulhallSteve Taub1:36.112003 Rojo ToroJerry BaileyBob BaffertHal Earnhardt1:35.892002 Came HomeChris McCarronJ. Paco GonzalezFarish et al.1:36.242001Crafty C.T.Ed DelahoussayeHoward ZuckerC. T. Grether, Inc.1:35.792000 War ChantKent DesormeauxNeil D. DrysdaleIrving & Marjorie Cowan1:36.451999Desert HeroCorey NakataniWallace DollaseThoroughbred Corp.1:36.451998Orville N Wilbur'sCorey NakataniWallace DollaseThoroughbred Corp. et al.1:35.961997FunontherunGoncalino AlmeidaMelvin F. StuteDave & Herb Alpert 1:36.011996Honour and GloryGary StevensD. Wayne LukasMichael Tabor1:36.451995Larry The LegendKent DesormeauxCraig A. LewisCraig A. Lewis1:37.611994Tabasco CatPat DayD. Wayne LukasOverbrook & Reynolds1:36.391993Devoted BrassKent DesormeauxNoble ThreewittDon W. Jordens1:35.131992A.P. IndyEd DelahoussayeNeil D. DrysdaleTomonori Tsurumaki1:35.411991DinardChris McCarronRichard J. LundyAllen E. Paulson1:35.801990Mister FriskyGary StevensLaz S. BarreraSolymar Stud1:36.601989Music MerciGary StevensCraig A. LewisPendleton/Royal T. Stable1:34.801988What a DiplomatGary StevensRichard MulhallMeyer & Mollie Gaskin1:38.001987Masterful AdvocateLaffit Pincay, Jr.Joseph ManziBelles (Lessee) & Leveton1:35.801986Variety RoadChris McCarronBruce HeadleyKjell H. Qvale1:35.601985Smarten UpRafael MezaLaz S. BarreraRyehill Farm1:36.201984PrecisionistChris McCarronRoss FenstermakerFred W. Hooper1:35.001983Desert WineChris McCarronJerry M. FanningCardiff Stud/T90 Ranch1:35.601982Prince SpellboundMarco CastanedaLester W. HoltWilliam L. Pease1:34.401981Johnlee n' HaroldMarco CastanedaHal KingMichael I. Blake1:36.00
References The San Rafael Stakes at Pedigree Query Thoroughbred Times article on the 2008 San Rafael Stakes titled El Gato Malo streaks to record-setting San Rafael win