The La Jolla Handicap is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.

History The event is named for the city of La Jolla, California, which is not far from Del Mar.

The event was inaugurated on July 11, 1937, as an event for three-year-olds and older and was won by the five-year-old mare Topsy Omar by the shortest of margins defeating the favorite Grey Count in a time of 1:45. The event was not run in 1939 but moved to early February 1940 to Santa Anita as a seven furlong event for four-year-olds and older on the turf. The champion Seabiscuit resumed in this event after a long layoff carrying 128 pounds after injury and was placed third to Heelfly. Later in the year the event was run at Del Mar at the set distance of one mile.

The event was idle during 1942–1944 due to World War II, resuming in 1945 as a three-year-olds and older California bred handicap.

In 1950 the event's conditions were set for three-year-olds at the distance.

In 1973 the event was classified as Grade III and in 1975 was moved to the turf track and has been run since then on that surface. In 1987 the event's distance was extended from one mile to miles. From 2004 to 2013 the event was run as a Grade II.

In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.

The event's position in the racing calendar at Del Mar has led to the race being a preparatory race for the Del Mar Derby which is scheduled usually several weeks later.

The event has been split into division four times, the last being in 1982.

Two fillies or mares have won this event. The inaugural running in 1937 and Henpecker in 1948 when the event was restricted to three-year-old fillies.

Records Speed record: miles: 1:39.52 – Sidney's Candy (2010) 1 mile (dirt): 1:34.20 – Groshawk (1973) 1 mile (turf): 1:34.60 – Floating Reserve (1985)

Margins: lengths – Sidney's Candy (2010)

Most wins by a jockey: 7 – Chris McCarron (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1993)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Farrell Jones (1962, 1971, 1974, 1975)

Most wins by an owner: 4 – Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal (2014, 2018, 2021, 2023)

La Jolla Handicap – Del Mar Derby double:

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Del Mar – La Jolla Handicap2024Stay Hot 3Antonio FresuPeter EurtonBurns Racing, Exline-Border Racing, SAF Racing, The Estate of Brereton C. Jones & William D. Hudock miles1:40.98$100,000Listed2023 3Juan HernandezLeonard PowellRed Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal miles1:44.20$151,500III2022Cabo Spirit 3Joe BravoKretz Racing miles1:42.28$150,500III2021₫Zoffarelli (IRE) 3Drayden Van DykeJeff MullinsRed Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal miles1:42.27$150,500III2020Smooth Like Strait 3Umberto Rispoli Michael W. McCarthy Cannon Thoroughbreds miles1:40.29$126,500III2019Kingly 3Mario GutierrezBob Baffert Clearview Stables, RAC 04 Racing & Michael Meegan miles1:39.95$151,053III2018 3Flavien PratJeff Mullins Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal miles1:40.93$150,345III2017Sharp Samurai 3Gary L. StevensMark Glatt Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal & Mark Glatt miles1:41.51$151,035III2016Free Rose 3Joseph TalamoRichard Baltas Abbondanza Racing miles1:40.73$151,275III2015Prospect Park 3Kent J. DesormeauxClifford W. Sise Jr.Pam & Martin Wygod miles1:41.54$151,000III2014Enterprising 3Mike E. SmithThomas F. ProctorGlen Hill Farm miles1:41.31$150,250III2013Dice Flavor 3Garrett K. GomezPatrick Gallagher Oda Racing Stable & US Equine miles1:39.82$151,000II2012Old Time Hockey 3Joseph TalamoThomas F. ProctorGlen Hill Farm miles1:40.55$147,000II2011Burns 3Pat ValenzuelaBarry Abrams Madeline Auerbach & Alfred Pais miles1:42.36$150,000II2010Sidney's Candy 3Joel RosarioJohn W. Sadler Craig Family Trust miles1:39.52$150,000II2009Meteore 3Alex O. SolisRichard E. Mandella Wertheimer et Frère miles1:40.82$150,000II2008Sky Cape 3Joel RosarioKristin Mulhall Visionary Racing & Steve Taub miles1:40.92$150,000II2007† Worldly (GB) 3Michael BazeBen D. A. Cecil Christopher Wright miles1:42.57$150,000II2006A. P. Warrior 3David R. FloresJohn Shirreffs Stan E. Fulton miles1:40.71$150,000II2005Willow O Wisp 3Garrett K. GomezVladimir Cerin Robert A. Alexander miles1:41.45$150,000II2004Blackdoun (FR) 3Corey NakataniJulio C. CananiMarsha Naify & Woodside Farms miles1:41.03$150,000II2003Singletary 3Pat ValenzuelaDon Chatlos Little Red Feather Racing miles1:40.39$150,000III2002Inesperado (FR) 3Eddie DelahoussayeRobert J. Frankel 3 Plus U Stable miles1:43.92$147,000III2001Marine (GB) 3Corey NakataniRobert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms miles1:41.72$150,000III2000Purely Cozzene 3David R. FloresBob BaffertEd & Natalie Friendly miles1:41.50$150,000III1999Eagleton 3Isaias D. EnriquezKevin Lewis Dennis E. Weir miles1:41.89$150,000III1998Ladies Din 3Gary L. StevensJulio C. Canani Terrence J. Lanni, Bernard Schiappa & Mike Sloan miles1:41.94$136,350III1997Fantastic Fellow 3Alex O. SolisD. Wayne Lukas The Thoroughbred Corporation miles1:43.43$135,450III1996Ambivalent 3René R. DouglasJ. Michael Orman Ted C. Ford miles1:43.34$132,850III1995Pétionville 3Corey NakataniRandy K. Bradshaw Everest Stables miles1:44.26$130,850III1994 3Chris AntleyIan P. D. Jory Marvin Malmuth miles1:42.38$107,800III1993Manny's Prospect 3Chris McCarronMichael R. Smith Clover Creek Ranch miles1:42.12$109,700III1992Blacksburg 3Kent J. DesormeauxD. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm miles1:41.60$109,700III1991Track Monarch 3Pat ValenzuelaDarrell ViennaDavid S. Milch miles1:41.91$106,400III1990Tight Spot 3Ron McAnally Anderson, VHW Stable, et al. miles1:41.80$107,600III1989River Master 3Chris McCarron Cardiff Stud, Red Baron's Barn & Timestable miles1:42.60$110,100III1988Perfecting 3Gary L. StevensLaz Barrera Harbor View Farm miles1:41.60$109,800III1987The Medic 3Chris McCarronGary F. Jones Dr. E. Giammarino miles1:42.20$100,000IIILa Jolla Mile Handicap1986Vernon Castle 3Eddie DelahoussayeJohn Sullivan Allen E. Paulson1 mile1:35.20$105,600III1985Floating Reserve 3Pat ValenzuelaJoseph Manzi Robert E. Hibbert1 mile1:34.60$98,300III1984Tights 3Chris McCarronLaz BarreraMill House Stable1 mile1:35.60$101,000III1983Tanks Brigade 3Eddie DelahoussayeJoseph ManziLee, Manzi & Ozer 1 mile1:35.80$83,900III1982Hugabay 3Kenneth D. BlackJesse C. Newsom Melvin Ross1 mile1:35.60$55,550IIITake the Floor 3Chris McCarronJohn Gosden Jason & Scott Beck1:35.60$55,550La Jolla Mile Stakes1981Minnesota Chief 3Chris McCarronLeonard Dorfman Larkin & Stames1 mile1:35.20$67,950III1980Aristocratical 3Chris McCarronEdwin J. GregsonLeone J. Peters1 mile1:36.20$55,350III1979Relaunch 3Laffit Pincay Jr.John H. AdamsGlen Hill Farm1 mile1:35.40$43,600III 1978Singular 3Darrel G. McHargueEdwin J. Gregson Jan Siegel1 mile1:35.80$38,900III1977Stone Point 3Marco CastanedaCharles E. WhittinghamHoward B. Keck1 mile1:35.80$32,350III1976 3Donald PierceRoger E. ClappConnie M. Ring1 mile1:35.80$32,900III1975Larrikin 3Donald PierceFarrell W. JonesJoseph Morjoseph1 mile1:35.00$28,100III1974Lightning Mandate 3Álvaro PinedaFarrell W. JonesFarrell W. Jones & Mrs. Norman Z. McLeod1 mile1:34.40$27,050III1973Groshawk 3Bill ShoemakerCharles E. WhittinghamMr. & Mrs. Quinn Martin1 mile1:34.20$27,550III1972Solar Salute 3William Mahorney Louis GlaubergMr. & Mrs. John J. Elmore1 mile1:34.40$26,800 1971Petes Ruler 3William Mahorney Henry E. MorenoJules Biharile1 mile1:35.20$16,625 Great Career 3Jerry LambertFarrell W. JonesMr. & Mrs. John C. Mabee1:35.60$16,6251970Sugar Loaf 3Fernando ToroDale K. LandersMrs. K. Dudley Malloy1 mile1:34.40$22,400 1969Eagle Fly 3Merlin VolzkeWilliam B. FinneganJack Schwabacher1 mile1:35.20$19,025 1968Baffle 3Bill HartackJohnny LongdenFrank M. McMahon1 mile1:35.40$17,150 1967Jungle Road 3Jack RobinsonJohnny LongdenFrank M. McMahon1 mile1:34.60$19,525 1966Embassy 3Robert L. MenellMesh TenneyRex C. Ellsworth1 mile1:35.40$16,625 1965Mr. Payne 3Jerry LambertMichael E. MillerickKlipstein Stable1 mile1:35.40$13,600 Hoist Bar 3Bill HartackNoble ThreewittBen Canter1:35.80$13,6001964Royal Eiffel 3Jerry LambertMichael E. MillerickMr. & Mrs. Harry S. Hart 1 mile1:35.80$16,450 1963Top Light 3Jackie LeonardCharles A. ComiskeyRobert S. LeSage1 mile1:36.20$13,600 Big Raff 3Rudy Campas John H. AdamsRalph Lowe1:35.80$13,6001962Testum 3Dean C. Hall Farrell W. JonesSchilz & Anderson1 mile1:35.40$16,025 1961Apple 3Emile Ohayon Joseph S. DunnHoward B. Keck1 mile1:35.20$16,575 1960Our Rulla 3Johnny LongdenFred HoughtonMrs. John D. Hertz1 mile1:35.00$16,550 1959 King Ara 3Donald PierceRichard L. Crosby Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Crosby 1 mile1:35.40$16,0751958 Sir Ruler 3George TaniguchiJoseph S. DunnHoward B. Keck & Claiborne Farm1 mile1:36.60$16,175 La Jolla Handicap1957 No Bumps 3Warren FergusonVictor Cowdell Harry James & Betty Grable James1 mile1:36.80$16,500 1956 Blen Host 3Ralph Neves Bob R. Roberts Gazelle Stable1 mile1:37.00$16,525 1955 Hillary 3Gordon GlissonWilliam B. Finnegan El Peco Ranch 1 mile1:35.40$11,375 1954 Leterna 3 William Harmatz Keith L. Stucki Triple K Stable 1 mile1:36.00$11,150 1953 Threesome 3 Joseph Phillippi J. Thomas Taylor J. Thomas Taylor 1 mile1:36.40$11,250 1952 Arroz 3Bill Shoemaker Wally Dunn Mrs. Gordon Guiberson 1 mile1:37.40$11,375 1951 Oats 3Gordon Glisson W. H. Tyree J. A. Lyons 1 mile1:37.80$11,150 1950§ Blue Reading 3Billy PearsonRobert H. McDaniel Mr. & Mrs. Clement L. Hirsch1 mile1:36.00$11,525 1949 Dinner Gong 4Ralph Neves Frank E. Childs Abraham Hirschberg1 mile1:36.00$11,2253YO & older 1948ƒ Henpecker 3 John GilbertWilliam Molter Mrs. Harry Curland 1 mile1:37.80$10,950 1947 Handlebars 3 Lester Balaski Charles Irby Mrs. R. F. Black 1 mile1:38.40$8,150 1946§ First To Fight 5 Hubert Trent Haskell E. Ross L. J. Montgomery 1 mile1:37.40 $8,280 1945Gold Boom 4 Francis Zehr Robert R. Tilden Sunland Stable 1 mile1:37.60$5,585 1942–1944Race not held1941 Vain Grove 4Ferril Zufelt Charles T. Leavitt G. W. Lawless 1 mile1:37.80$2,500 1940 Justice M. 3 Harry M. Unna Harry M. Unna 1 mile1:37.20$2,170August At Santa Anita racetrack1940 Heelfly 6 George WoolfSylvester E. VeitchCircle S. Stable 7 furlongs1:23.00$2,000February 1939 Race moved to 9 February 1940 at Santa Anita RacetrackAt Del Mar racetrack 1938 Dogaway 4Eddie Yager William B. Finnegan Robert Riskin 1 mile1:37.20$2,2103YO & older 1937ƒ Topsy Omar 5 Tim Sena Cecil Wilhelm Mrs. Theresa Loeff miles1:45.40$1,6803YO & older

Legend:

Notes:

§ Ran as an entry

ƒ Filly or Mare

₫ In the 2021 running of the event Sword Zorro (IRE) finished first by a nose in a photo finish but bumped the second-placed finisher Zoffarelli (IRE) from his inside when drifting out under left-handed urging by his jockey Umberto Rispoli and was disqualified. Zoffarelli (IRE) was declared the winner.

† In the 2007 running of the event Medici Code was first past the post and wagering was paid out as the winner, however the horse returned a positive swab for an excess amount of Clenbuterol and consequently was disqualified from the prizemoney and was placed eighth (last). Worldly was declared the official winner of the event.

‡ In 1948 the event was for three-year-old fillies

♯ In August 1940 and 1947 the event was for three-year-olds that were bred in California

¶ In 1941, 1945 and 1946 the event was for three-year-olds and older that were bred in California

°In February 1940 for four-year-olds and older

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links 2022 Del Mar Media Guide

References