The Affirmed Stakes is a Listed American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses over a distance of miles on the dirt held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, in late June. The race currently offers a purse of $100,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 30 June 1979 at Hollywood Park Racetrack as the Silver Screen Handicap at a distance of miles and was won by the promising three year old Valdez who won by 10 lengths, which continues to be the longest winning margin in the event.

The event inherited the grading classification which was Grade II from the Argonaut Handicap which some sources believe is the predecessor to the event. However, the former Hollywood Park Media Guide management organization and the current Santa Anita management consider the event to have no connection.

In 1993 the race was renamed to the Affirmed Handicap in honor of the 1978 U.S. Triple Crown champion, Affirmed.

In 1995 the distance of the event was decreased to miles.

After Hollywood Park Racetrack was closed in 2013 the race was moved to Santa Anita Park.

In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Santa Anita closed their track and the event was cancelled

In 2023 the American Graded Stakes Committee downgraded the event to a Listed race.

Records Speed record: miles – 1:40.83 General Challenge (1999) miles – 1:46.80 Journey At Sea (1982)

Largest margin of victory: 10 lengths – Valdez (1979)

Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Laffit Pincay, Jr. (1979, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1992)

Most wins by a trainer: 7 – Bob Baffert (1999, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2024)

Most wins by an owner: 2 – Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman (2011, 2015)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Santa Anita Park – Affirmed Stakes2024Parenting Juan J. HernandezBob BaffertGandharvi miles1:42.57$100,000Listed2023Geaux Rocket RideRamon VazquezRichard MandellaPin Oak Stud miles1:43.75$100,000Listed2022Hopper Abel CedilloSean McCarthyLanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables & SF Racing miles1:43.83$98,000III2021The Chosen Vron Umberto RispoliJ. Eric KruljacJ. Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh miles1:44.01$100,000III2020Race not held2019Mucho GustoJoseph TalamoBob BaffertMichael Lund Petersen miles1:45.15$100,351III2018Draft PickJoseph TalamoPeter EurtonC R K Stable miles1:44.34$100,345III2017Battle of MidwayFlavien PratJerry HollendorferDon Alberto Stable & WinStar Farm miles1:43.25$98,000 III2016DalmoreKent J. Desormeaux J. Keith DesormeauxBig Chief Racing, Rocker O Ranch & J. Keith Desormeaux miles1:40.84$100,000III2015Gimme Da LuteMartin GarciaBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman miles1:41.40$98,000III2014Can the ManMartin GarciaBob BaffertKaleem Shah miles1:44.27$100,750IIIAt Hollywood Park – Affirmed Handicap 2013Tiz a MinisterCorey NakataniPaul G. AguirreS A Y Racing miles1:45.79$100,750III2012NoniosMartin A. PedrozaJerry HollendorferGreen B. Smith Jr. miles1:42.99$100,000III2011CoilMartin GarciaBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman miles1:42.88$100,000III2010Golden ItizTyler BazeRonald W. EllisJay Em Ess Stable miles1:42.84$100,000III2009GrazenRafael BejaranoMike R. MitchellNicholas B. Alexander miles1:41.40$100,000III2008Two Step SalsaMartin A. PedrozaJulio C. CananiEverest Stables miles1:41.57$107,100III2007Desert CodeRichard MiglioreDavid E. HofmansTarabilla Farms miles1:44.21$106,600III2006Point DeterminedVictor EspinozaBob BaffertRobert B. & Beverly J. Lewis Trust miles1:42.55$100,000III2005Indian OceanJon CourtJay M. RobbinsMercedes Stable miles1:42.53$102,998III2004BoomzeeboomVictor EspinozaVladimir CerinJohn Karubian, Alan Landsburg & Larry Postaer miles1:42.11$110,200III2003Eye of the TigerAlex O. SolisJerry HollendorferJohn D. Gunther miles1:42.30$103,096III2002Came HomeChris McCarronJ. Paco GonzalezWilliam S. Farish III, John B. Goodman, John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery miles1:41.99$107,500III2001Until SundownGary L. StevensLaura de SerouxSan Gabriel Investments & Sidney L. Port Trust miles1:43.10$100,000III2000TiznowVictor EspinozaJay M. RobbinsMichael Cooper & Cecilia Straub-Rubens miles1:42.35$134,250III1999General ChallengeDavid R. FloresBob BaffertGolden Eagle Farm miles1:40.83$125,000III1998Old TriesteChris McCarronMike PuypeGary Bisantz miles1:41.80$101,822III1997Corey NakataniWallace DollaseHorizon Stable, Michael Jarvis, Mandysland Farm, et al. miles1:42.80$102,500III1996HesabullMike ChambersThree Sisters Thoroughbreds miles1:43.20$101,750III1995Mr PurpleCorey NakataniRon McAnallyAlex G. Campbell Jr. miles1:42.20$133,300III1994R Friar TuckJerry D. BaileyIan P. D. JoryS. David Plummer miles1:49.00$163,600III1993CodifiedGary L. StevensDavid E. HofmansRidder Thoroughbred Stable miles1:48.80$161,600IIISilver Screen Handicap1992Natural NineLaffit Pincay Jr.Lewis A. CenicolaSouthern Nevada Racing Stables miles1:49.40$163,000III1991Compelling SoundGary L. StevensCharles E. WhittinghamMr. & Mrs. Jerome Moss miles1:47.80$158,800III1990Stalwart ChargerLaffit Pincay Jr.Alcides Pico Perdomo Sidney Factor miles1:48.40$158,600III1989Raise a StanzaCorey BlackJay M. RobbinsJack Kent Cooke miles1:48.40$169,700II1988Iz a SarosAaron GryderJoseph ManziGreen Thumb Farm Stable miles1:49.00$163,400II1987Candi's GoldGary L. StevensEdwin J. GregsonRoyal Lines (Lessee) miles1:47.60$160,500II1986ƒ MelairPat ValenzuelaJohn W. SadlerMarianne Millard & Bea Rous1 mile1:32.80$400,000II1985Pancho VillaLaffit Pincay Jr.D. Wayne LukasD. Wayne Lukas & Lloyd R. French, Jr.1 mile1:33.80$109,500II1984TightsLaffit Pincay Jr.Laz BarreraMill House miles1:48.60$80,600II1983My HabitonyDonald PierceArthur J. Lerille Jr.Olga J. Pejsa miles1:48.60$81,000II1982Journey At SeaChris McCarronFred W. Hooper miles1:46.80$83,350II1981StancharryPat ValenzuelaMelvin F. StuteHarry Cole, Stanley Freeman & Charles Gold miles1:51.00$80,900II1980Score Twenty FourDarrel G. McHargueJames JordanThomas Capehart, et al. miles1:48.20$64,200II 1979ValdezLaffit Pincay Jr.Laz Barrera Aaron & Marie Jones miles1:47.40$64,500II

Legend:

Notes:

ƒ Filly or Mare

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

References