The American Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for horses age four and older over a distance of one mile on the turf track held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in April. The race currently offers a purse of $100,000.

History

The event was inaugurated on Independence Day in 1938 as the American Handicap, when Bing Crosby's and Lindsay C. Howard's Argentine bred Ligorati set a new track record of 1:50 for the miles feature on the dirt track before a crowd of 60,000 at Hollywood Park Racetrack. The event was regularly scheduled for many of its runnings on the Fourth of July holiday attracting massive crowds especially in the 1950s and 1960s.

In its early runnings, the event became a main preparatory event for the Hollywood Gold Cup. The event attracted many fine horses who went on to complete the double. These include Argentine bred Kayak II in 1939, the Irish bred Champion Noor in 1950, the 1948 Triple Crown champion Citation in 1951, Irish bred Royal Serenade in 1953, 1953 Kentucky Derby winner Swaps in 1956, Hillsdale in 1959, Prove It in 1962, South African bred Colorado King in 1964, Native Diver in 1965. In 1968 the event was moved to the turf track. The Argentine bred Figonero in 1969 and in 1971 US Horse of the Year Ack Ack were able to complete the American Handicap–Hollywood Gold Cup double.

The race was not run in 1942 or 1943, due to Hollywood Park being closed. In 1949, the event was held at Santa Anita Park, due to a devastating fire at Hollywood Park on the night of May 5, 1949.

The South African import Colorado King equalled the then-current world record for miles in winning the 1964 edition.

Two mares have won this event, Pink Pigeon in 1968 and Toussaud in 1993.

The event was run in divisions in 1969 and 1975.

The event was a Grade II from 1973 to 1987, gaining Grade I status for 1988 and 1989. The event was downgraded to Grade III in 2014.

In 2011, the distance was shortened to one mile from nine furlongs.

On the closing of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event has been held at Santa Anita Park.

Records Speed record: 1 mile: 1:32:08 – Johannes (2024) miles: 1:45.60 – Clever Song (1987)

Margins: 7 lengths - Pink Pigeon (1968)

Most wins by a jockey: 8 - Bill Shoemaker (1954, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981)

Most wins by a trainer: 7 - Charles Whittingham (1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981)

Most wins by an owner: 3 - Charles S. Howard (1939, 1941, 1950) 3 - Rex C. Ellsworth (1956, 1962, 1963)

Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Santa Anita Park – American Stakes2026Almendares (GB)6Antonio FresuPhilip D'AmatoCYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig & Ray Pagano1 mile1:34.14$101,000III2025Cabo Spirit 6Mike E. SmithKretz Racing 1 mile1:34.42$101,000III2024Johannes 4Umberto Rispoli Tim YakteenCuyathy1 mile1:32:08$102,500III2023Exaulted 6Juan HernandezPeter EurtonC R K Stable1 mile1:33.65$100,500III2022Hong Kong Harry (IRE)5Ramon A. VazquezPhilip D'AmatoScott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa & Tony Valazza1 mile1:33.87$102,500III2021Restrainedvengence 6Tyler BazeVal Brinkerhoff Kelly Brinkerhoff & Bob Grayson Jr.1 mile1:33.87$100,500III2020Blitzkrieg 4Victor EspinozaDoug F. O'NeillR3 Racing & Calara Farm1 mile1:33.46$102,000III2019Majestic Eagle4Rafael BejaranoNeil D. DrysdaleJohn Lindley & Ray Morton1 mile1:34.57$100,351III2018What a View7Stewart ElliottKenneth D. BlackFinish Line Racing, The Elwood Johnston Trust & Taste of Victory Stables1 mile1:33.80$100,690III2017Pee Wee Reese4Joseph TalamoPhilip D'AmatoNicholas B. Alexander1 mile1:32.26$101,035III2016Home Run Kitten5Joseph TalamoDavid E. HofmansKenneth & Sarah Ramsey1 mile1:35.30$100,345III2015Bal a Bali (BRZ)4Flavien PratRichard E. MandellaFox Hill Farms & Sienna Farms1 mile1:35.69$100,750III2014Obviously (IRE)6Joseph TalamoPhilip D'AmatoAnthony Fanticola & Joseph Scardino1 mile1:33.39$98,000IIIAt Hollywood Park – American Handicap2013Obviously (IRE)5Joseph TalamoMike R. MitchellAnthony Fanticola & Joseph Scardino1 mile1:32.95$150,250II2012Wilkinson4Martin A. PedrozaJeff MullinsEdward K. Gaylord II1 mile1:33.37$150,000II2011Ryehill Dreamer (IRE)5Joseph TalamoJulio C. CananiMarsha Naify1 mile1:33.55$150,000II2010Global Hunter (ARG)7Brice BlancA. C. AvilaL-Bo Racing & Monte Pyle miles1:48.00$150,000II2009Monterey Jazz5Tyler BazeCraig DollaseA&R Stables & Class Racing Stable miles1:46.11$150,000II2008Whatsthescript (IRE)4Isaias D. EnriquezJohn W. SadlerTommy Town Thoroughbreds miles1:46.34$250,000IIAmerican Invitational Handicap2007Out of Control (BRZ)4Michael BazeRobert J. FrankelStud TNT miles1:46.89$250,000II2006The Tin Man8Victor EspinozaRichard E. MandellaAury & Ralph E. Todd miles1:46.24$250,000II2005Whilly (IRE)4Felipe F. MartinezDoug F. O'NeillTriple B Farms miles1:46.30$250,000IIAmerican Handicap2004Bayamo (IRE)5David R. FloresJulio C. CananiPrestonwood Farm miles1:46.60$150,000II2003Candy Ride (ARG)4Gary L. StevensRon McAnallySidney & Jenny Craig miles1:46.20$150,000II2002The Tin Man4Mike E. SmithRichard E. MandellaAury & Ralph E. Todd miles1:46.82$150,000II2001Takarian (IRE)6Garrett K. GomezC. Beau GreelyColumbine Stable, John Greely III & Tom Nichols miles1:48.19$150,000II20005Chris McCarronRon McAnallyCharles Cella miles1:46.74$150,000II1999Takarian (IRE)4Garrett K. GomezC. Beau GreelyColumbine Stable, John Greely III & Tom Nichols miles1:47.37$150,000II1998Magellan 5Gary L. StevensBen D. A. CecilGary A. Tanaka miles1:47.05$150,000II1997El Angelo5Alex O. SolisJenine SahadiEvergreen Farms miles1:46.99$160,600II1996Labeeb (GB)4Neil D. DrysdaleMaktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum1:45.78$110,200II1995Silver Wizard5Gary L. StevensNeil D. DrysdaleShirley Robinsabt. miles1:46.02$159,400II1994Blues Traveller (IRE)4Chris AntleyRodney RashGary A. Tanaka miles1:46.50$218,000II1993† Toussaud4Kent J. DesormeauxRobert J. FrankelJuddmonte Farm miles1:46.87$200,000II1992Man From Eldorado4Kent J. DesormeauxNeil D. DrysdalePeter D. Savill miles1:47.11$212,000II1991Tight Spot4Laffit Pincay Jr.Ron McAnallyCorradini, VHW Stables & Whitham, et al miles1:46.00$219,400II1990Classic Fame 4Eddie DelahoussayeGary F. JonesClassic Thoroughbreds & Prestonwood Farm miles1:47.80$216,800II1989Mister Wonderful (GB) 6Fernando ToroRichard E. MandellaSteve M. Taub miles1:47.20$318,600I 1988Skip Out Front6Chris McCarronMichael S. HarmatuckAnn Gaffey miles1:46.40$205,800I 1987Clever Song5Laffit Pincay Jr.John GosdenMBH Stables miles1:45.60$217,800II1986Al Mamoon5Pat ValenzuelaRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann & Bertram R. Firestone miles1:39.20$161,000II1985Tsunami Slew4Gary L. StevensEdwin J. GregsonRoyal Lines (Lessee) miles1:46.20$207,800II 1984Bel Bolide6Terry LiphamJohn GosdenStonechurch Stable miles1:46.80$164,100II1983John Henry8Chris McCarronRon McAnallyDotsam Stable miles1:48.40$164,600II1982§ Spence Bay (IRE)7Fernando ToroRandy WinickHunt & Summa Stable miles1:47.20$167,800II 1981Bold Tropic (SAF)6Bill ShoemakerMr. & Mrs. Cyril Hurvitz miles1:46.80$165,600II1980Bold Tropic (SAF)5Bill ShoemakerCharles E. WhittinghamMr. & Mrs. Cyril Hurvitz miles1:46.40$110,700II 1979Smoggy (GB)5Darrel McHargueDon CombsDouble Eagle Stable miles1:47.40$110,500II1978Effervescing5Laffit Pincay Jr.D. Wayne LukasMel Hatley & Albert Yank miles1:47.20$110,500II1977Hunza Dancer5Jean CruguetArthur E. BreasleyRavi Tikkoo miles1:47.20$113,900II1976§ King Pellinore4Bill ShoemakerCharles E. WhittinghamJohn Mulcahy miles1:48.00$81,950II1975Pass the Glass4Fernando ToroThomas A. PrattHerman Sarkowsky miles1:48.20$87,550II Montmartre 5Fernando ToroJohn BucaloWilliam Breliant miles1:49.60$85,550II1974Plunk4Laffit Pincay Jr.Buster MillerickRichard Craigo miles1:48.00$86,650II1973 Kentuckian 4 Rudy Campas Paul K. Parker Preston Madden miles1:48.00$84,150II 1972 Buzkashi4Bill ShoemakerCharles E. WhittinghamMarjorie L. Everett miles 1:48.60$83,300 1971Ack Ack5Bill ShoemakerCharles E. WhittinghamForked Lightning Ranch miles1:47.20$79,850 1970§ Fiddle Isle 5Bill ShoemakerCharles E. WhittinghamHoward B. Keck miles1:47.60$54,250 1969Figonero (ARG)5Laffit Pincay Jr.Warren StuteClement L. Hirsch miles1:48.00$55,750 Poleax4Donald PierceWally DunnFritz Hawn miles1:48.40$54,2501968† Pink Pigeon 4 William Harris Paul K. Parker Patrick Madden miles 1:47.80$56,800 1967 Pretense4 Johnny SellersCharles E. WhittinghamLlangollen Farm miles 1:47.00$54,700 1966 Travel Orb4 William Harmatz Leonard Dorfman Floyd Hughes & George Dimick miles1:47.80$56,650 1965Native Diver 6Jerry LambertBuster MillerickMr. & Mrs Louis K. Shapiro miles 1:47.20$53,750 19645Ray YorkWally DunnPoltex Stable, Fritz Hawn, Keith Freeman & Roland Bond miles1:46.40$55,200 1963Dr. Kacy 4Bill ShoemakerRex C. EllsworthRex C. Ellsworth miles 1:48.20$57,050 1962Prove It5Henry E. MorenoMesh TenneyRex C. Ellsworth miles1:47.60$55,350 1961§ Prince Blessed4Johnny LongdenJames I. NazworthyKerr Stable miles1:47.60$55,800 1960Prize Host4William Harmatz William SimpsonCircle TWP Stable miles1:47.60$54,200 1959Hillsdale4Tommy Barrow Martin L. Fallon Jr. Clarence Whitted Smith miles1:47.20$53,650 1958 How Now5 William Harmatz Cecil C. Jolly George C. Newell miles 1:47.80$54,200 1957 Find 7Ralph Neves William C. Winfrey Alfred G. Vanderbilt miles 1:47.00$55,550 1956Swaps 4Henry E. MorenoMesh TenneyRex C. Ellsworth miles1:46.80$103,250 1955 Alidon 4Johnny Longden William Molter Louis B. Mayer miles1:46.80$53,750 1954§ Rejected 4Bill ShoemakerWilliam J. HirschKing Ranch miles1:48.00$55,150 19535Johnny LongdenVance LongdenAlberta Ranches, Ltd. miles1:48.60$56,550 1952§ Admiral Drake4Gordon GlissonWilliam F. Alvarado Abraham Hirschberg miles1:48.20$56,000 1951§ Citation6Steve BrooksHorace A. JonesCalumet Farm miles1:48.40$56,250 1950Noor5Johnny LongdenBurley ParkeCharles S. Howard miles2:00.20$56,250 At Santa Anita Park1949Double Jay 5 Carroll BiermanWalter C. McCue James V. Tigani & James Boines miles1:48.60$56,500 At Hollywood Park1948§ Stepfather 4 Gene Pederson Wayne B. Stucki W. L. Ranch miles1:50.40$55,500 1947 Burning Dream5Johnny Longden William Molter Muriel Vanderbilt Adams miles1:48.20$56,850 1946Quick Reward 4Anthony Skoronski Elwood L. Fitzgerald Norman W. Church miles1:43.20$57,250 1945§ Bull Reigh 7 Hubert Trent Hack Ross Carlotta D. Jelm miles1:43.40$60,100 1944 Paperboy4 George Woolf Jimmy Coleman W. L. Ranch miles1:49.60$27,850 1942–1943Race not held1941Mioland4Leon HaasTom SmithCharles S. Howard miles1:49.40$22,750 1940 Viscounty4Nunzio Pariso Frank Catrone Valdana Farms miles1:47.60$15,950 19394George WoolfTom SmithCharles S. Howard miles1:49.80$15,800 1938Ligaroti (ARG)6Noel RichardsonLindsay C. HowardBinglin Stable miles1:50.00$8,750

Legend:

Notes:

† Filly or Mare

§ Ran as part of an entry

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links Santa Anita Media Guide for 2019 Winter Meet 2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide

References