The Shared Belief Stakes (formerly the El Cajon Stakes) is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the last week of August or the first week of September at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. Open to three-year-old horses, the event is contested at a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt. The purse is currently $100,000.
The race is named for champion Shared Belief, whose major wins included the 2014 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. It was previously named for the city of El Cajon, California.
Inaugurated in 1973, the race was run as a restricted overnight stakes until 2004. The distance was set at one and one-eighth miles in 1973 and 1974, then reduced to a mile and a sixteenth from 1975 through 1996 after which it was set at its current distance of one mile. From 2008 to 2015, the race was run on Polytrack synthetic dirt surface – all other renewals have been on a natural dirt surface.
The race was not run in 1994 and 2001.
Past winners
2025 - Citizen Bull 2024 - Muth 2023 - Tahoe Sunrise 2022 - Go Joe Won 2021 - Medina Spirit 2020 - Thousand Words 2019 - Improbable 2018 - Tatters To Riches 2017 - Battle of Midway 2016 - Accelerate 2015 - Gimme Da Lute 2014 - Red Outlaw 2013 - Holy Lute 2012 - Fed Biz 2011 - Celestic Night 2010 - Haimish Way 2009 - Grazen 2008 - Slews Tiznow 2007 - Rush with Thunder 2006 - Cindago 2005 - Follow the Rainbow 2004 - Perfect Moon 2003 - Excess Summer 2002 - Joey Franco 2001 - RACE NOT RUN 2000 - Spicy Stuff 1999 - National Saint 1998 - Opine 1997 - Best Star 1996 - Ready to Order 1995 - Turbulent Dancer 1994 - RACE NOT RUN 1993 - Pleasant Tango 1992 - Slerp 1991 - Letthebighossroll (California Champion sprinter) 1990 - Asia 1989 - Bruho 1988 - Old Exclusive 1987 - Sebrof 1986 - Tasso (1985 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt) 1985 - Nostalgias Star 1984 - Bunker 1983 - Mamaison 1982 - Craelius 1981 - Island Whirl 1980 - Mighty Return 1979 - Shamgo 1978 - Go West Young Man (Multiple Grade I winner) 1977 - Kulak 1976 - Wood Green 1975 - Crumbs 1974 - Within Hail 1973 - Quick Bluff
References
Nomination form for the Shared Belief, with entry requirements