Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four and older at a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the turf run annually in early March at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event currently offers a purse of $300,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 28 March 1992 as the Explosive Bid Handicap named after the 1984 winner of the Louisiana Handicap, Explosive Bid.

In 1994 the event was run in two split divisions.

In 1996 the American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the event to Grade III and once more to Grade II in 2001.

In December 2003 the Louisiana Racing Commission agreed to honor Mervyn R. Muniz, Jr., a longtime racing secretary at Fair Grounds Race Course who died in 2003 by renaming the event to the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap

There was no race in 2006 due to after effects of Hurricane Katrina which had damaged the Fair Grounds race track and moved the shortened meeting that season to Louisiana Downs.

The 2019 winner of the event Bricks and Mortar continued his successful undefeated season enroute to being crowned US Champion Male Turf Horse and US Horse of the Year.

In 2020 the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance with the name of the race modified to Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes.

Records Speed record: 1:47.21 - Factor This (2020)

Margins: 6 lengths - Joyeux Danseur (1998)

Most wins: 2 - Proudinsky (GER) (2008, 2009)

Most wins by an owner: 3 - Gary A. Tanaka (2001, 2002, 2008)

Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Chad C. Brown (2012, 2019, 2024)

Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Robby Albarado (1998, 2001, 2004, 2007)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefMuniz Memorial Classic Stakes2026Lagynos5José L. OrtizSteven M. AsmussenHRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud miles1:48.17$294,000 II2025Idratherbeblessed 5Ben Curtis Chris HartmanJD Thoroughbreds & Wayne Scherr miles1:50.45$300,000II2024I'm Very Busy 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownTeam Hanley, Richard Schermerhorn & Paul Braverman miles1:47.57$300,000II2023Spooky Channel 8Joel RosarioJason BarkleyNBS Stableabt. miles1:54.11$300,000II2022Two Emmys 6James GrahamHugh H. RobertsonWolfe Racing & Hugh H. Robertson miles1:49.83$300,000II2021Colonel Liam 4Irad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherLawana L. & Robert E. Low miles1:48.33$300,000II2020Factor This5Shaun BridgmohanBrad H. CoxGaining Ground Racing miles1:47.21$300,000IIMuniz Memorial Handicap2019Bricks and Mortar5Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownKlaravich Stables Inc. & William Lawrence1:50.44$291,000II2018Synchrony5Joe BravoMichael StidhamPin Oak Stable abt. miles1:49.59$300,000II2017Enterprising6Tyler GaffalioneMichael J. MakerMaxis Stableabt. miles1:48.41$300,000II20165Edgar S. PradoWilliam I. MottEarle I. Mack, Wachtel Stable & Brous Stable abt. miles1:47.80$300,000IIMervin H. Muniz Jr Memorial Handicap2015Chocolate Ride5Joseph TalamoBrad H. CoxJohn Wentworthabt. miles1:48.18$291,000II2014Skyring5Joseph Rocco Jr.D. Wayne LukasCalumet Farmabt. miles1:52.01$288,000II2013Amira's Prince (IRE)4Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottWachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barberabt. miles1:49.76$400,000II2012Casino Host4John R. VelazquezChad C. BrownMary & Gary Westabt. miles1:50.87$400,000II2011Smart Bid5Edgar S. PradoH. Graham MotionAugustin Stableabt. miles1:49.97$400,000II2010Blues Street6Javier CastellanoTodd A. PletcherAnstu Stableabt. miles1:50.10$300,000II2009Proudinsky (GER)6Victor EspinozaRobert J. FrankelJohanna Louise Glen-Tevenabt. miles1:50.94$500,000II2008Proudinsky (GER)5Garrett K. GomezRobert J. FrankelGary A. Tanakaabt. miles1:50.44$500,000II2007Einstein (BRZ)5Robby AlbaradoHelen Pitts-Blasi Midnight Cry Stable abt. miles1:49.57$500,000II2006Race not held2005† A to the Z5Victor EspinozaPaula S. CapestroAndrew & Paula Capestroabt. miles1:50.99$500,000II2004Mystery Giver6Robby AlbaradoRichard R. SchererTeam Blockabt. miles1:48.29$500,000IIExplosive Bid Handicap2003Candid Glen6Andrew Leggio Jr.Glen C. Warrenabt. miles1:51.15$650,000II2002Sarafan5Corey NakataniNeil D. DrysdaleGary A. Tanakaabt. miles1:48.88$700,000II2001Tijiyr (IRE)5Robby AlbaradoNiall M. O'CallaghanGary A. Tanakaabt. miles1:50.72$600,000II2000Brave Act (GB)6Cash AsmussenRon McAnallySidney Craigabt. miles1:48.98$600,000III1999Lord Smith (GB)4Garrett K. GomezBruce L. JacksonMichael Boich, David & Linda Kruseabt. miles1:51.27$663,600III1998Joyeux Danseur5Robby AlbaradoAlbert Stall Jr.B. Wayne Hughesabt. miles1:49.30$373,300III1997Always a Classic4Eddie Martin Jr.Mark R. FrostadSam-Son Farmabt. miles1:54.83$219,950III1996Kazabaiyn6Kent J. DesormeauxRobert B. Hess Jr.Jeremys Stable, et al abt. miles1:50.80$155,325III1995Earl of Barking (IRE)5Goncalino AlmeidaRichard J. CrossHenry E. Pabstabt. miles1:52.01$155,625 Listed 1994Pride of Summer6Robert King Jr.Anthony J. BizeliaTOC Stable, Patrick J. Purcell, et alabt. miles1:49.59$127,375 Listed Snake Eyes4Brent E. BartramSteven L. MorguelanMelvin Isenstein1:49.41$127,1701993Coaxing Matt4Eddie Martin Jr.Neil L. PessinElmer E. Millerabt. miles1:50.80$78,350 Listed 1992‡ Slick Groom4Kirk Paul LeBlancAlbert Puschabt. miles1:52.60$52,650 Listed

Notes:

† In the 2005 running of the event longshot Rapid Proof was first past the post. However, after a positive test for dexamethasone Rapid Proof was disqualified, and A to the Z was declared the winner with all prizemoney redistributed according to the adjusted finishing order

‡ In the 1992 inaugural running, City Ballet was first past the post but was disqualified and place sixth for interference in the straight and Slick Groom was declared the winner.

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References