The Swale Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for three year old horses at the distance of seven furlongs on the dirt held annually in January at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $175,000.

History

The race was named in honor of Claiborne Farm's brilliant colt Swale who won the 1984 Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes but who died suddenly of a heart attack eight days after his Belmont victory. In 2021 Claiborne Farm are the sponsors of the event.

The inaugural running of the event was on 2 March 1985 as the tenth race on the Florida Derby racecard over a distance of seven furlongs. The event was won by the 1984 United States Champion 2-year-old colt, Chief's Crown who was resuming after his Breeders' Cup Juvenile victory at Hollywood Park Racetrack victory easily dispatched the field winning by lengths as the 3/10 odds-on favorite.

The event was not held in 1987.

In 1990 the event was upgraded to a Grade III and once again to Grade II in 2006.

For two runnings of the event, in 2007 and 2008 the race was run over the shorter furlongs distance.

In 2009, Big Drama set a new stakes and track record of 1:20.88 but was disqualified and placed second with the race awarded to This Ones for Phil.

This race was upgraded once again to a Grade II for its 2014 running but then downgraded again to Grade III in 2018.

In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status

Records

Speed record: 7 furlongs – 1:20.88 This Ones For Phil (2009) furlongs – 1:15.06 Eaton's Gift (2008)

Margins: lengths – D'wildcat (2001)

Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Luis Saez (2013, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2023)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Claude R. McGaughey III (1988, 1989, 1996, 2023) 4 – Todd A. Pletcher (2000, 2011, 2022, 2025)

Most wins by an owner: 2 – Ogden Phipps (1988, 1989) 2 – Dogwood Stable (1994, 2000) 2 – Paul P. Pompa Jr. (2009, 2010) 2 – Michael Dubb (2009, 2019) 2 – Courtlandt Farms (2018, 2023) Notes

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2026Solitude DudeIrad Ortiz Jr.Saffie Joseph Jr.Chris Fountoukis7 furlongs1:23.46$175,000Listed2025Gate to WireDylan DavisTodd A. PletcherDonegal Racing7 furlongs1:22.51$165,000Listed2024Frankie's Empire Miguel VasquezMichael YatesFrank DeLuca7 furlongs1:24.22$125,000Listed2023General Jim Luis SaezClaude R. McGaughey IIICourtlandt Farms7 furlongs1:23.34$125,000III2022My PranksterLuis SaezTodd A. PletcherLawana L. & Robert E. Low7 furlongs1:23.13$100,000III2021Drain the Clock Edgard Zayas Saffie Joseph Jr.Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables & Michael Nentwig7 furlongs1:23.29$100,000III2020Mischevious AlexIrad Ortiz Jr.John C. ServisCash is King & LC Racing7 furlongs1:22.83$150,000III2019Call PaulIrad Ortiz Jr.Jason ServisMichael Dubb, David Simon, Bethlehem Stables & Bruce Irom7 furlongs1:23.43$150,000III2018Strike PowerLuis SaezMark A. HennigCourtlandt Farm7 furlongs1:22.68$200,000III2017Javier CastellanoChad C. BrownKlaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence7 furlongs1:23.03$200,000II2016Awesome BannerJose C. CaraballoStanley I. GoldJacks or Better Farm7 furlongs1:21.81$200,000II2015Ready for RyeLuis SaezThomas AlbertraniChalk Racing7 furlongs1:22.39$200,000II2014SpotJose LezcanoNicholas P. ZitoJoseph H. Moss7 furlongs1:22.44$200,000II2013Clearly NowLuis SaezBrian A. LynchUp Hill Stable7 furlongs1:23.19$150,000III2012TrinnibergWillie MartinezBisnath ParbooShivananda Parbhoo7 furlongs1:21.69$150,000III2011Travelin ManJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherE. Paul Robsham Stables7 furlongs1:21.94$147,000II2010D' FunnyboneEdgar S. PradoRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Paul P. Pompa Jr.7 furlongs1:21.98$150,000II2009Garrett K. GomezRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Paul P. Pompa Jr., Jack Mandato & Michael Dubb 7 furlongs1:20.88$150,000II2008Eaton's GiftDale L. RomansZayat Stables furlongs1:15.63$150,000II2007Adore the GoldCornelio VelasquezMichael E. GorhamJohn D. Murphy Sr. furlongs1:15.86$150,000II2006Sharp HumorMark GuidryDale L. RomansPurdedel Stable 7 furlongs1:22.14$150,000II2005Lost in the FogRussell BazeGreg GilchristHarry J. Aleo7 furlongs1:22.21$150,000II2004Wynn Dot CommaEdgar S. PradoMartin D. WolfsonMartin Cherry7 furlongs1:22.87$150,000III2003Midas EyesJerry D. BaileyRobert J. FrankelEdmund A. Gann7 furlongs1:21.06$150,000III2002Ethan ManPat DayPatrick B. Byrne West Point Thoroughbreds 7 furlongs1:22.29$150,000III2001D'wildcatCorey NakataniRobert B. Hess Jr.Fog City Stable7 furlongs1:22.25$150,000III2000TrippiJerry D. BaileyTodd A. PletcherDogwood Stable7 furlongs1:23.43$100,000III1999Yes It's TrueJerry D. BaileyD. Wayne Lukas Padua Stables 7 furlongs1:22.29$100,000III1998Favorite TrickPat DayWilliam I. MottJoseph P. LaCombe7 furlongs1:22.86$100,000III1997ConfideMike E. SmithBen W. Perkins Sr.New Farm7 furlongs1:23.35$75,000III1996RoarMike E. SmithClaude R. McGaughey IIIClaiborne Farm & Adele Dilschneider7 furlongs1:22.46$75,000III1995Mr. GreeleyJulie KroneNicholas P. ZitoWilliam J. Condren & Joseph Cornacchia7 furlongs1:22.18$75,000III1994Arrival TimeChris McCarronFrank A. AlexanderDogwood Stable7 furlongs1:22.53$75,000III1993Premier ExplosionDave PennaDavid R. BellJohn Franks7 furlongs1:23.23$89,200III1992D. J. CatJerry D. BaileyHappy AlterBea Oxenberg & Atler's Racing Stable 7 furlongs1:23.39$118,750III1991ChihuahuaJose O. AlferezMario Martinez Jr.Mar-deb-ron Farms 7 furlongs1:23.47$75,000III1990HousebusterCraig PerretJimmy CrollRobert P. Levy7 furlongs1:22.20$57,250III1989Easy GoerPat DayClaude R. McGaughey IIIOgden Phipps7 furlongs1:22.20$57,150 1988Seeking the GoldRandy RomeroOgden Phipps7 furlongs1:21.60$58,500 1987Race not held1986One Magic MomentCraig PerretJoseph H. Pierce Jr.Sheila Pierce & H. Kligman7 furlongs1:25.40$52,250 1985Chief's CrownDonald MacBethRoger LaurinStar Crown Stable7 furlongs1:22.40$51,320

Notes:

† In the 2009 Big Drama was first past the post but was disqualified for bumping This Ones for Phil twice in the straight thus This Ones for Phil was declared the winner.

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links 2020–21 Gulfstream Park Media Guide

References