Pennsylvania Derby
| Grade II race | |
| Location |
Parx Racing and Casino Bensalem, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1979 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website |
www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1.125 miles (1.811 km) (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | 122 lbs. (55.3 kg) |
| Purse | $1 million |
The Pennsylvania Derby is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Parx Racing and Casino (formerly known as Keystone Race Track, then from 1986 through 2010 as Philadelphia Park) each year. The track's premiere event is open to horses, age three, willing to race 1.125 miles (1.811 km) (9 furlongs) on the dirt and as of 2007, offers a purse of $1 million.[1]
The Pennsylvania Derby began on Memorial Day in 1979 and achieved Graded status in 1981. From 1990 until 2009, with the exception of 2006 due to extensive renovations, the race was held on Labor Day; in 2004, it was elevated to a Grade II event. Starting in 2010, the race moved to the last Saturday of September in an attempt to get a stronger field preparing for the Breeders' Cup; the move to late September also made it possible to move away from another premier event, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York State.
Records
In 1991 Andrea Seefeldt became the first female jockey to win the Pennsylvania Derby and the following year Pam Shavelson became the first female trainer to win the race.
Time record:
- 1:47:34 - The Stakes Record is held by To Honor and Serve (2011).
- Western Playboy won the Derby by the largest margin: 17 lengths.
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Joe Bravo (1994, 2003, 2008)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Woody Stephens (1979, 1984, 1988)
- 3 - Nick Zito (2005, 2008, 2010)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Ryehill Farm (1979, 1988)
- 2 - Robert E. Meyerhoff (1986, 1991)
- 2 - Dogwood Stable (1990, 1993)
Winners of the Pennsylvania Derby since 1979
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance (Miles) |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Frosted | 3 | Joel Rosario | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin Racing | 1 1⁄8 | 1:50.04 |
| 2014 | Bayern | 3 | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | 1 1⁄8 | 1:46.96 |
| 2013 | Will Take Charge | 3 | Luis Saez | D. Wayne Lukas | Willis D. Horton | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.28 |
| 2012 | Handsome Mike | 3 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Leandro Mora | J. Paul Reddam | 1 1⁄8 | 1:51.63 |
| 2011 | To Honor and Serve | 3 | Jose Lezcano | William Mott | Live Oak Plantation | 1 1⁄8 | 1:47.34 * |
| 2010 | Morning Line | 3 | John Velazquez | Nick Zito | Thoroughbred Legends Racing | 1 1⁄8 | 1:47.85 |
| 2009 | Gone Astray | 3 | Eddie Castro | Shug McGaughey | Phipps Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.27 |
| 2008 | Anak Nakal | 3 | Joe Bravo | Nick Zito | Four Roses Thoroughbreds | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.99 |
| 2007 | Timber Reserve | 3 | Javier Castellano | John C. Kimmel | Circle E Racing et al. | 1 1⁄8 | 1:47.67 |
| 2006 | No Race | - | No Race | No Race | No Race | 1 1⁄8 | no race |
| 2005 | Sun King | 3 | Rafael Bejarano | Nick Zito | Tracy Farmer | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.43 |
| 2004 | Love of Money | 3 | Robby Albarado | Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. | Jay Em Ess Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.42 |
| 2003 | Grande Hombre | 3 | Joe Bravo | Dennis Manning | Earle I. Mack | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.03 |
| 2002 | Harlan's Holiday | 3 | Edgar Prado | Todd Pletcher | Starlight Stables | 1 1⁄8 | 1:51.10 |
| 2001 | Macho Uno | 3 | Gary Stevens | Joe Orseno | Stronach Stables | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.03 |
| 2000 | Pine Dance | 3 | Mike McCarthy | Dermot Weld | George Hofmeister | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.03 |
| 1999 | Smart Guy | 3 | Robert Colton | Timothy Ritchey | Goodfellas Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.40 |
| 1998 | Rock and Roll | 3 | Heberto Castillo, Jr. | William Mott | M. Paulson & J. Craig | 1 1⁄8 | 1:47.69 |
| 1997 | Frisk Me Now | 3 | Edwin L. King, Jr. | Robert J. Durso | Carol R. Dender | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.14 |
| 1996 | Devil's Honor | 3 | Tony Black | Walter C. Reese | Noreen Carpenito | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.58 |
| 1995 | Pineing Patty | 3 | Larry Melancon | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.05 |
| 1994 | Meadow Flight | 3 | Joe Bravo | James Ryerson | Aliyuee Ben J Stables | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.08 |
| 1993 | Wallenda | 3 | Herb McCauley | Frank A. Alexander | Dogwood Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.33 |
| 1992 | Thelastcrusade | 3 | Victor Molina | Pam Shavelson | Petrified Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.47 |
| 1991 | Valley Crossing | 3 | Andrea Seefeldt | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1 1⁄8 | 1:50.00 |
| 1990 | Summer Squall | 3 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | Dogwood Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.20 |
| 1989 | Western Playboy | 3 | Kerwin Clark | Harvey L. Vanier | N. A. Vanier/Script R Farm | 1 1⁄8 | 1:47.60 |
| 1988 | Cefis | 3 | Larry Saumell | Woody Stephens | Ryehill Farm | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.60 |
| 1987 | Afleet | 3 | Gary Stahlbaum | Phil England | Taylor Made Farm | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.20 |
| 1986 | Broad Brush | 3 | Angel Cordero, Jr. | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1 1⁄8 | 1:50.80 |
| 1985 | Skip Trial | 3 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Sonny Hine | Zelda Cohen | 1 1⁄8 | 1:50.20 |
| 1984 | Morning Bob | 3 | Greg McCarron | Woody Stephens | Brushwood Stable | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.40 |
| 1983 | Dixieland Band | 3 | William J. Passmore | Charles Peoples | Mary Sharp | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.40 |
| 1982 | Spanish Drums | 3 | Jacinto Vasquez | Anthony Arcodia | Anthony Drakas | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.00 |
| 1981 | Summing | 3 | George Martens | Laz Barrera | C. T. Wilson & L. Barrera | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.00 |
| 1980 | Lively King | 3 | Chris Baker | L. Parker, Jr. | Frank A. Bonsal, Jr. | 1 1⁄8 | 1:48.80 |
| 1979 | Smarten | 3 | Sam Maple | Woody Stephens | Ryehill Farm | 1 1⁄8 | 1:49.20 |
References
- ↑ Stakes Histories, The Original Racing Almanac 2009, page 284-285 on June 26, 2008.