The Colonel Liam Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late February or early March on the turf course at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, over a distance of 1 1/16 miles. A listed event open to three-year-old horses and currently offers a purse of $200,000.

History The inaugural running in 1987 was run as the Palm Beach Handicap for horses age three and older. Since then it has been run on an allowance weight basis.

Kitten's Joy, who won the race in 2004, went on to be named that year's Champion Turf Horse after winning the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and Secretariat Stakes and finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Turf. 2010 winner Paddy O'Prado finished third in the Kentucky Derby, first in the Secretariat, and sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic in his three-year-old season. 1993 winner Kissin Kris went on to finish seventh in the that' year's Kentucky Derby, second in the Belmont Stakes, first in the Haskell Invitational Stakes, and third in the Breeders' Cup Classic in his three-year-old season.

Jockey Chris Antley's February 9, 1991 win aboard Magic Interlude was one of his five wins that day.

The race was run in two divisions in 1989. It was switched to dirt in 1990, 1993 and 1995.

The Palm Springs has been run at several distances: 7 furlongs – 1990 1 mile – 1987–1989 miles – 1991–1994, 2015 to present miles – 1995–2014

The event was downgraded to Listed status in 2021.

In 2023 the event was renamed as the Colonel Liam Stakes after Colonel Liam who won the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational twice.

Records Speed record: (at current distance of 1-1/16 miles) 1:40.38 – Ticonderoga (2017)

Most wins by a jockey: 3 – Jerry Bailey (2002, 2003, 2004) 3 – Javier Castellano (2008, 2009, 2016) 3 – John Velazquez (2012, 2014, 2018)

Most wins by a trainer: 3 – William I. Mott (1984, 1985, 1998, 2014) 3 – Dale L. Romans (2004, 2007, 2010)

Most wins by an owner: 2 – Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey (2003, 2004) 2 – Peter Vegso (2002, 2006)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner DistanceTimePurse GradeColonel Liam Stakes2023Dude N Colorado (GB) 3 Irad Ortiz Jr.Todd Pletcher Three Diamonds Farm 1 mile1:35.05 $200,000ListedPalm Beach Stakes2022Coinage3 Mark E. Casse abt. 1 mile1:36.12 Listed2021Annex3 William I. Mott 1 M1:40.62 Listed2020Vitalogy (GB)3Javier CastellanoBrendan WalshQatar Racing, M. Detampel & Bottle Rocket Stable1 M1:41.86$150,000III2019A Thread of Blue3Luis SaezKiaran P. McLaughlinLeonard Green1 M1:41.93$150,000III2018Maraud3John VelazquezTodd PletcherTreadway Racing Stable1 M1:41.01$100,000III2017Ticonderoga 3Joel RosarioChad C. BrownWoodford Racing, LLC 1 M1:40.38$100,000III2016Converge3Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownPaul P. Pompa Jr.1 M1:40.64$150,000III2015Eh Cumpari3Jose C. CaraballoMichael DilgerAnstu Stables1 M1:40.96$150,000III2014Gala Award3John VelazquezTodd PletcherM. Tabor/Derrick Smith/Susan Magnier1 M1:46.19$150,000III2013Rydilluc3Edgar PradoGary C. ContessaGreen/Dellatore-Bobo/et al.1 M1:48.18$150,000III2012Howe Great3John VelazquezGraham MotionTeam Valor International1 M1:46.56$150,000III2011Joes Blazing Aaron3Orlando BocachicaAllan hunter Jr.Joseph Witek1 M1:47.85$150,000III2010Paddy O'Prado3Jesus CastanonDale L. RomansWinchell Thoroughbreds1 M1:45.40$150,000III2009El Crespo3Javier CastellanoGeorge R. Arnold IIG. Watts Humphrey Jr.1 M1:47.71$150,000III2008Sporting Art3Javier CastellanoChristophe ClementJon & Sarah Kelly1 M1:45.98$150,000III2007Duveen3Mark GuidryDale L. RomansAndrew Farm1 M1:47.48$150,000III2006Go Between3Edgar PradoWilliam I. MottPeter Vegso1 M1:45.80$100,000III2005Interpatation3Thomas G. TurnerRobert BarbaraElliot Mavorah 1 M1:47.12$100,000III2004Kitten's Joy3Jerry BaileyDale L. RomansKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1 M1:48.76$100,000III2003Nothing To Lose3Jerry BaileyD. Wayne LukasKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1 M1:48.28$100,000III2002Orchard Park3Jerry BaileyWilliam I. MottPeter Vegso1 M1:49.80$100,000III2001Proud Man3René DouglasHarry BensonRobert Kaufman et al.1 M1:48.32$100,000III2000Mr. Livingston3Shane SellersWilliam A. KaplanDavid & Teresa Palmer1 M1:48.04$75,000III1999Swamp3Richard MiglioreJohn C. KimmelHeiligbrodt Racing Stable1 M1:48.38$75,000III1998Cryptic Rascal3Mike E. SmithWilliam M. Badgett Jr.Landon Knightabout 1 M1:55.0$75,000III1997Unite's Big Red3Ruben HernandezRandy MillsJoan Williams1 M1:47.2$75,000III1996Harrowman3Mike E. SmithRobert Reid Jr.Gulyas Stable1 M1:49.2$75,000III1995Admiralty3Julie KroneWilliam I. MottAllen E. Paulson1 M1:51.0$75,000III1994Mr. Angel3Herb McCauleyMartin D. WolfsonMarian Prince1 M (±)1:44.4$50,000III1993Kissin Kris3Dave PennaDavid R. BellJohn Franks1 M1:46.4$50,000III1992Preferences3Jorge DuarteMartin D. WolfsonHarbor View Farm1 M1:42.6$50,000III1991Magic Interlude3Chris AntleyJoseph H. Pierce Jr.Pastime Stable (G. Watts Humphrey Jr. et al.)1 M1:43.0$50,000III1990Dawn Quixote3Craig PerretSonny HineScott C. Savin7 F1:23.4$50,000III1989-1Shy Tom3Randy RomeroD. Wayne LukasOverbrook Farm1 M1:37.2$40,0001989-2Storm Predictions3Steve GaffalioneLuis A. OlivaresLisa Becker1 M1:36.2$40,0001988Tanzanid3Douglas ValienteWilliam J. CesareThree G Stable (B. Morton Gittlin family)1 M1:35.6$50,0001987Racing Star5Santiago SotoManuel A. EstevezFive Star Stable1 M1:34.8$50,000

References