The Charles Whittingham Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses age three years old and older over a distance of miles on the turf held annually in late May at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, USA. The event currently carries a purse of $225,000.

History

The event was inaugurated in 1969 as the Hollywood Invitational Handicap over a distance of miles on the turf.

The event was run at a distance of a miles from 1969 to 1987 and recently 2015. From 1989 until 1998, the race was named the Hollywood Turf Handicap.

In 1999 the event was renamed to Charles Whittingham Handicap and in 2003 to Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap in honor of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham (1913–1999) who saddled many memorable winners at Hollywood Park and whose seven victories in the Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap race was the most for any trainer. It had been equaled since.

In 2014 when Hollywood Park Racetrack closed the race was moved to Santa Anita Park and renamed to it current name.

Originally a Grade I event, the event was downgraded in 2013 to Grade II.

Records Time record: (at current distance of miles) 1:57.75 - Bien Bien (1993)

Most wins: 3 - Acclamation (2010, 2011, 2012) 3 - John Henry (1980, 1981, 1984)

Most wins by an owner: 3 - Dotsam Stable (1980, 1981, 1984)

Most wins by a jockey: 6 - Gary Stevens (1991, 1992, 1994, 2003, 2015, 2017)

Most wins by a trainer: 7 - Charles Whittingham (1970, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987) 7 - Neil Drysdale (1985, 1988, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2014) 7 - Robert J. Frankel (1973, 1979, 1991, 1992, 1999, 2002, 2009)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time Purse Grade Charles Whittingham Stakes2026Mondego (GB)6Emisael JaramilloMichael W. McCarthyCheyenne Stable1:59.99$200,000II2025Atitlan4Hector Isaac BerriosJohn ShirreffsJohn M. B. O'Connor1:59.92$200,000II2024Gold Phoenix (IRE)6Kyle FreyPhilip D'AmatoLittle Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC and Naify, Marsha2:00.91$200,000II2023Offlee Naughty5John R. VelazquezMichael W. McCarthyDaniell, James M. and Daniell, Donna2:02.45$200,500II2022Beyond Brilliant 4Victor EspinozaJohn ShirreffsC R K Stable1:58.72$226,000II2021Award Winner 5Juan J. HernandezDavid E. HofmansAmerman Racing 1:59.27$194,000II2020 United5Flavien PratRichard E. MandellaLNJ Foxwoods2:00.34$200,500II2019Marckie's Water5T. J. PereiraRichard BaltasLittle Red Feather Racing & Norman Tavares2:00.95$200,000II2018Itsinthepost6Julien LeparouxJeff MullinsRed Baron's Barn LLC2:02.10$200,000II2017Ashleyluvssuger6Gary StevensPeter EurtonAlesia, Sharon, Bran Jam Stable / Ciaglia Racing 1:58.49$200,000 II2016Si Sage (FR)6Mike E. SmithJames M. CassidyRed Baron's Barn/Rancho Temescal/Vayaconsuerte1:59.48$200,000 II2015Ashleyluvssugar4Gary StevensPeter EurtonBran Jam Stable/Ciaglia Racing2:30.10$200,000 II2014Fire With Fire6Tyler BazeNeil DrysdaleDavid Heerensperger2:00.92$200,000 II Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap2013Tale of a Champion5Joseph TalamoKristin MulhallKretz Racing2:01.27$200,000 II2012Acclamation6Patrick ValenzuelaDonald WarrenPeter & Mary Hilvers2:01.50$250,000 I2011Acclamation5Joe TalamoDonald WarrenJohnstons/Hilvers2:00.18$250,000 I2010Acclamation4C. S. ReyesDonald WarrenEllwood B. & Elizabeth E. Johnston 1:59.45$250,000 I2009Midships4Victor EspinozaRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms2:00.51$300,000 I2008Artiste Royal7David FloresNeil D. DrysdaleDavid & Jill Heerensperger1:59.99$300,000 I2007 After Market4Alex SolisJohn ShirreffsPam & Martin Wygod1:58.77$300,000 I2006 Lava Man5Corey NakataniDouglas F. O'NeillSTD Racing/Jason Wood2:00.29$300,000 I2005 Sweet Return5Alex SolisRon McAnallyRed Oak Stable2:01.35$350,000 I2004 Sabiango6Tyler BazeBob BaffertMonty Roberts2:01.52$350,000 I2003 Storming Home5Gary StevensNeil D. DrysdaleSheikh Maktoum2:00.66$350,000 I Charles Whittingham Handicap2002Denon4Garrett GomezRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann2:01.47$350,000 I2001 Bienamado5Chris McCarronJ. Paco GonzalezTrudy McCaffery, John Toffan, Robert Sangster1:59.34$350,000 I2000White Heart5Kent DesormeauxNeil D. DrysdaleSheikh Mohammed2:00.83$300,000 I1999 River Bay6Alex SolisRobert J. FrankelChalhoub Stable2:00.66$400,000 I Hollywood Turf Handicap1998 Storm Trooper5Kent DesormeauxHenry CecilPrince Fahd Salman2:03.05$400,000 I1997 Rainbow Dancer6Alex SolisJenine SahadiEvergreen Farms2:00.09$400,000 I1996 Sandpit7Corey NakataniRichard MandellaSierra Thoroughbreds1:59.40$500,000 I1995Earl of Barking5Goncalino AlmeidaRichard L. CrossHenry E. Pabst1:59.78$500,000 I1994Grand Flotilla7Gary StevensJenine SahadiMike Sloan1:59.26$500,000 I1993Bien Bien4Chris McCarronJ. Paco GonzalezCaffery & Toffan1:57.75$500,000 I1992Quest for Fame5Gary StevensRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms1:58.99$500,000 I1991Exbourne5Gary StevensRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farms2:00.10$500,000 I1990Steinlen7José A. SantosD. Wayne LukasWildenstein Stables2:03.00$500,000 I1989Great Communicator6Ray SibilleThad AckelClass Act Stable (George Ackel)1:59.40$500,000 I Hollywood Invitational Handicap1988Political Ambition4Ed DelahoussayeNeil D. DrysdaleClover Racing Stable et al.1:58.60$300,000 I1987Rivlia5Chris McCarronCharles WhittinghamNarvick International2:24.20$300,000 I1986Flying Pidgeon5Santiago SotoLuis Olivares C. Daparma/Flying "M" Acres2:27.00$300,000 I1985Both Ends Burning5Ed DelahoussayeNeil D. DrysdaleBurdett-Coutts & Nelson2:25.00$300,000 I1984John Henry9Chris McCarronRon McAnallyDotsam Stable2:25.00$300,000 I1983Erins Isle5Laffit Pincay, Jr.Charles WhittinghamBrian Sweeney2:25.80$300,000 I1982Exploded5Laffit Pincay, Jr.Charles WhittinghamBradley/Chandler/Whittingham2:25.20$300,000 I1981John Henry6Laffit Pincay, Jr.Ron McAnallyDotsam Stable2:27.80$200,000 I1980John Henry5Darrel McHargueRon McAnallyDotsam Stable2:25.40$200,000 I1979Johnny's Image4Sandy HawleyRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann & Meryl Ann Tanz2:25.20$200,000 I1978Exceller5Bill ShoemakerCharles WhittinghamNelson Bunker Hunt2:25.80$200,000 I1977Vigors4Darrel McHargueLarry J. SterlingWilliam R. Hawn2:26.80$200,000 I1976¶Dahlia6Bill ShoemakerCharles WhittinghamNelson Bunker Hunt2:26.80$200,000 I1975Barclay Joy5Tony DiazTommy DoyleBarclay Stable2:27.00 I1974Court Ruling4William MahorneyW. Preston KingMilton Polinger2:27.60 I1973Life Cycle4Laffit Pincay, Jr.Robert J. FrankelPeter E. Blum2:25.60 I1972¶Typecast6Jerry LambertTommy DoyleFletcher R. Jones2:25.80 1971Cougar II5Bill ShoemakerCharles WhittinghamMary F. Jones2:26.40 1970Fiddle Isle5Bill ShoemakerCharles WhittinghamHoward B. Keck2:25.60 1969Fort Marcy5Manuel YcazaJ. Elliott BurchRokeby Stables2:27.20

Notes:

¶ Mare

References

The 2008 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at the NTRA