Daytona Stakes

The Daytona Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older run over the distance of about furlongs on the downhill turf scheduled annually in late May at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

History

The event was inaugurated in 1968 as the San Simeon Handicap

The race has been run at a variety of distances and track surfaces. The race was originally run on the dirt but in 1980 was switched to the downhill turf course. Since that time, it has only been run on dirt when the turf course was unusable due to weather-related conditions. Due to course conditions, several runnings of the event were taken off the turf and run on the dirt track.

The event was upgraded to a Grade III event for 1984.

In 2013 the race was renamed to the San Simeon Stakes.

The event was originally scheduled in April but the Los Angeles Turf Club in 2017 moved the race to the Memorial Day weekend at Santa Anita. In that same year the Los Angeles Turf Club renamed the race to the current name of Daytona Stakes. The original Daytona Stakes was renamed to the San Simeon Stakes. The event was named after the Irish bred horse Daytona who a three year old won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby and a four year old won the Grade I Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita.

In 2019, the distance was shortened by over a furlong, and the event started on the backstretch of the turf oval. In 2020 the event was extended to furlongs and in 2021 the event was held over furlongs.

Records Speed record: about furlongs – 1:11:28 Chips All In (2013)

Margins: lengths – Century's Envoy (1975)

Most wins: 2 - Mr. Gruff (2009, 2010) 2 - Champagne Bid (1984, 1985)

Most wins by an owner: 2 - Elmendorf Farm (1976, 1981) 2 - Saddle Hill Farm (1984, 1985) 2 - Juddmonte Farms (1989, 2003) 2 - Gary Broad (2009, 2010) 2 - Hronis Racing (2014, 2022)

Most wins by a jockey: 6 - Laffit Pincay, Jr. (1969, 1970, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983)

Most wins by a trainer: 6 - Ron McAnally (1973, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1990, 2007)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref Daytona Stakes2026Freedom's Not Free4Juan J. HernandezMark GlattBlinkers On Racing Stable, Janlois Racing, Valinor Racing Stable, Tom Corbett, Andy Kwan and Jay Lester Wagnerabt. furlongs1:12.49$100,000III2025Motorious (GB)7Antonio Fresu Philip D'AmatoAnthony Fanticolaabt. furlongs1:13.13$100,500III2024Mucho Del Oro6Kyle FreyDoug F. O'NeillPurple Rein Racingabt. furlongs1:11.37$102,000III2023Fast Buck5Hector BerriosCesar DeAlbaZepher Racing, Peter Cruz & Cesar DeAlbaabt. furlongs1:11.68$101,000III2022Bran (FRA)4Juan J. HernandezJohn W. SadlerHronis Racingabt. furlongs1:12.44$100,000III2021Bombard8Flavien PratRichard E. MandellaRamona S. & Perry R. Bass II, Adele B. Dilschneider & Waddell W. Hancock II furlongs1:14.47$100,000III2020Wildman Jack4Mike E. SmithDoug F. O'NeillW.C. Racing furlongs1:01.01$101,000III2019Eddie Haskell6Kent J. DesormeauxMark GlattPhilip J. Wood & James Hailey 5 furlongs0:55.49$100,702III2018Conquest Tsunami6Victor EspinozaPeter L. MillerGary Barberabt. furlongs1:12.03$150,000III San Simeon Stakes2017Stormy Liberal5Norberto Arroyo Jr.Peter L. MillerRockingham Ranchabt. furlongs1:12.43$147,000III2016Guns Loaded5Rafael BejaranoDoug F. O'NeillWestside Rentals.com, Neil Haymes, Leo Rodriguez & Steve Rothblum 1:13.33$101,380III2015Get Happy Mister5Tyler BazeMark D. TsagalakisAnnette Bishopabt. furlongs1:13.11$100,500III2014Sweet Swap5Joseph TalamoJohn W. SadlerHronis Racingabt. furlongs1:11.59$101,000III2013Chips All In4Tyler BazeJeff MullinsJean Everest, John O'Brien, Danny Valdez & Michelle Turpinabt. furlongs1:11.28$100,250III San Simeon Handicap 2012California Flag8Joseph TalamoBrian J. KorinerBarbara Card, E-Racing.Com, John Fradkin & Kevin Jacobsen abt. furlongs1:11.59$100,000III2011Regally Ready4Mike E. SmithSteven M. AsmussenVinery Stablesabt. furlongs1:12.33$100,000III2010Mr Gruff6Joel RosarioRonald W. EllisGary Broadabt. furlongs1:11.53$100,000III2009Mr Gruff5Joel RosarioRonald W. EllisGary Broadabt. furlongs1:11.88$100,000III2008Stoneside (IRE)4Martin A. PedrozaJulio C. Canani Marsha Naify abt. furlongs1:12.54$112,400III2007Bonfante6Aaron GryderRon McAnallyFrankfurt Stables & Eugene Tenbrink furlongs1:14.59$103,488III2006Pure as Gold4Pat ValenzuelaDoug F. O'NeillSteve L. Keh, Robert Richmond & Dennis O'Neill abt. furlongs1:12.56$109,400III2005Shadow of Illinois5Mark GuidryAnthony K. SaavedraElla & William. D. Sivageabt. furlongs1:12.62$107,000III2004Glick8Alex O. SolisJeff MullinsRobert D. Boneabt. furlongs1:11.46$107,300III2003Speak in Passing6David R. FloresRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farmsabt. furlongs1:12.87$137,500III2002Malabar Gold5Chris McCarronRonald W. EllisB. Wayne Hughesabt. furlongs1:11.73$138,125III2001Lake William5Victor EspinozaRichard E. MandellaAnn & Jerry Mossabt. furlongs1:12.34$133,625III2000El Cielo6Jose Valdivia Jr.Craig DollaseLarry Carr, Miller Trust, D & P Webber Trust, et alabt. furlongs1:12.66$132,400III1999Naninja6Chris McCarronMike R. MitchellWes R. Horton, Marlin Merhab & Ed Nance abt. furlongs1:13.32$108,700III1998Labeeb (GB)6Kent J. DesormeauxNeil D. DrysdaleMaktoum Al Maktoumabt. furlongs1:12.94$113,100III1997Sandtrap4Alex O. SolisBen D. A. CecilEstate Robert E. Hibbertabt. furlongs1:12.50$156,850III1996ƒ Ski Dancer4Gary L. StevensGary F. JonesKallenberg Thoroughbredsabt. furlongs1:13.98$104,200III1995Finder's Fortune6Pat ValenzuelaDarrell ViennaDavid S. Milch & Jack Silvermanabt. furlongs1:13.65$109,550III1994Rapan Boy (AUS)6Gary L. StevensGary F. JonesHuthart & Mooreabt. furlongs1:13.16$108,100III1993Exemplary Leader7Martin A. PedrozaBrian A. MayberryJan, Mace & Samantha Siegelabt. furlongs1:13.98$109,300III1992ƒ Heart of Joy5Chris McCarronGary F. JonesGolden Eagle Farmabt. furlongs1:12.94$114,600III1991Forest Glow4Julio A. GarciaBrad MacDonald John A. Bell III abt. furlongs1:12.40$108,900III1990Coastal Voyage6Alex O. SolisRon McAnallyRed Tree Farmabt. furlongs1:12.20$106,400III1989Mazilier5Pat ValenzuelaEdwin J. GregsonJuddmonte Farmsabt. furlongs1:15.80$82,500III1988Caballo de Oro 4Rafael Q. MezaLewis A. CenicolaHumberto Ascanio, Fer & Zankich furlongs1:15.40$80,450III1987Bolder Than Bold5Gary BazeCharles E. WhittinghamMary Jones Bradley, Ann Chandler & Charles E. Whittinghamabt. furlongs1:13.60$83,550III1986§ Estate7Jack Van BergTom E. Nortonabt. furlongs1:13.80$88,150III1985Champagne Bid6Ray SibilleRandy WinickSaddle Hill Farmabt. furlongs1:13.60$97,150III1984Champagne Bid5Ray SibilleRandy WinickSaddle Hill Farm & Randy Winickabt. furlongs1:14.40$89,350III1983Chinook Pass4Laffit Pincay Jr.Laurie N. AndersonHi Yu Stable furlongs1:15.40$66,100 Listed1982Shagbark7Laffit Pincay Jr.Robert J. FrankelMr. & Mrs. Martin Rittabt. furlongs1:13.00$66,850 Listed1981Syncopate6Donald PierceRon McAnallyElmendorf Farm furlongs1:16.40$53,950 Listed19806Eddie Delahoussaye Ivan W. Allan & Lee Ah Seongabt. furlongs1:12.60$47,050 Listed1979Bywayofchicago5Darrel G. McHargueThomas A. PrattRobert Fluor, Sidney Port & Herman Sarkowsky7 furlongs1:21.80$56,350 Listed1978Maheras5Laffit Pincay Jr.Lin WheelerPeter Cristofi & Nicholas P. Bissias7 furlongs1:22.80$43,650 Listed1977Mark's Place5Sandy HawleyRon McAnallyBob D. Bird7 furlongs1:21.00$44,250 Listed1976Pay Tribute4Laffit Pincay Jr.Ron McAnallyElmendorf Farm1 mile1:35.20$43,650 Listed1975Century's Envoy4Jorge Tejeira Jerry Dutton Mr. & Mrs. John J. Elmore7 furlongs1:22.40$33,200Listed1974Matun5Steve ValdezCharles E. WhittinghamMarjorie Everett7 furlongs1:21.20$34,700III1973Soft Victory5Donald PierceRon McAnallyMaxwell R. Prestridge Jr.7 furlongs1:21.40$36,550III1972Single Agent4Howard Grant Wayne B. Stucki Indian Hill Stable & Frank Marshall7 furlongs1:21.00 $34,7001971Long Position5Johnny Sellers Morton Lipton Westerly Stud7 furlongs1:21.80 $27,6501970Right Cross4Laffit Pincay Jr. Ted Saladin Mr. & Mrs. Bert W. Martin7 furlongs1:21.60 $23,0501969Ottawa Hills6Laffit Pincay Jr.John AdamsHasty House Farms 7 furlongs1:22.20 $23,8501968Poona Khan7 Miguel Yanez John W. Pappalardo Jay F. Walker7 furlongs1:22.00 $23,000

Legend:

Notes:

§ Ran as an entry

ƒ Filly or Mare

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References