Pat O'Brien Stakes

Pat O'Brien Stakes
Grade II race
LocationDel Mar Racetrack
Del Mar, California, United States
InauguratedInitial – 1980
Renewed – 1986
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteDel Mar
Race information
Distance7 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old & older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
4-year-olds and up: 125 lbs.
3-year-olds: 122 lbs.
Purse$250,000 (2022)
BonusesBreeders' Cup "Win And You're In" to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

The Pat O'Brien Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and older over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $250,000.

History

The race was named in honor of actor and Del Mar Racetrack co-founder, Pat O'Brien (1899–1983). Pat O'Brien, a classic character movie actor who often appeared in a James Cagney starring vehicle, loved the races.

The inaugural running of the event was on 25 September 1980, the twelfth and final day of the Del Mar Fair meeting. The event was for two-year-olds, over a distance of 7+1⁄2 furlongs on the turf track and was won by Elmendorf Farm's Seafood in a time of 1:302⁄5.[1] The following year the L.A. County Fair was moved to Pomona Fairgrounds and the event was idle.

In 1986 the administration of Del Mar renewed the event during their summer meeting as a sprint handicap over seven furlongs on the dirt.[2]

Between 1990–1995 and 2004–2006 the race had Breeders' Cup incentives which were reflected in the name of the event.[3]

The event was classified a Grade III event in 1994 and upgraded to Grade II in 1999.[3] In 2009 the event became a Grade I[2] and after three runnings it was downgraded back to a Grade II stakes.[3]

Of the notable winners of the event are Lit de Justice who won in 1995 in stakes record time, the following year he won the Breeders' Cup Sprint. The 1996 winner Alphabet Soup used the sprint event in his campaign which led to a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The 2014 winner Goldencents went on to win his second Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Records

Speed record:

Margins:

  • 12+1⁄2 lengths – Catalina Cruiser (2018)

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 8 – Bob Baffert (2000, 2001, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022)

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Pat O'Brien Stakes
2024 Raging Torrent 3 Antonio Fresu Doug F. O'Neill Great Friends Stables & Mark Davis 7 furlongs 1:21.17 $251,500 II [4]
2023 Anarchist 4 Ramon Vazquez Doug F. O'Neill Ilium Stables 7 furlongs 1:23.21 $250,000 II [5]
2022 Laurel River 4 Juan J. Hernandez Bob Baffert Juddmonte 7 furlongs 1:21.37 $250,000 II [6]
2021 Ginobli 4 Drayden Van Dyke Richard Baltas Slam Dunk Racing et al. 7 furlongs 1:22.36 $200,000 II [7]
2020 C Z Rocket 6 Flavien Prat Peter L. Miller Tom Kagele 7 furlongs 1:22.25 $151,000 II [8]
2019 Catalina Cruiser 5 Flavien Prat John W. Sadler Hronis Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $200,351 II [9]
2018 Catalina Cruiser 4 Drayden Van Dyke John W. Sadler Hronis Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.13 $196,000 II [10]
2017 Giant Expectations 4 Gary L. Stevens Peter Eurton Border Racing & Gatto Racing 7 furlongs 1:21.08 $201,725 II [11]
2016 Masochistic 6 Tyler Baze Ronald W. Ellis Los Pollos Hermanos Racing & Jay Em Ess Stable 7 furlongs 1:20.31 $184,000 II [12]
2015 Appealing Tale 5 Joseph Talamo Peter L. Miller Cecil & Gary Barber 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $245,000 II [13]
2014 Goldencents 4 Rafael Bejarano Doug F. O'Neill W. C. Racing 7 furlongs 1:20.99 $250,500 II [14]
2013 Fed Biz 4 Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Kaleem Shah 7 furlongs 1:21.12 $251,750 II [15]
2012 Capital Account 5 David R. Flores Bob Baffert Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.56 $250,000 II [16]
2011 The Factor 3 Martin Garcia Bob Baffert George Bolton & Fog City Stable 7 furlongs 1:21.56 $250,000 I [17]
2010 El Brujo 4 Joel Rosario Bob Baffert Arnold Zetcher 7 furlongs 1:21.70 $298,000 I [18]
2009 Zensational 3 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Zayat Stables 7 furlongs 1:22.31 $300,000 I [19]
Pat O'Brien Handicap
2008 Lewis Michael 5 René R. Douglas Wayne M. Catalano Frank C. Calabrese 7 furlongs 1:21.17 $297,500 II [20]
2007 Greg's Gold 6 Victor Espinoza David E. Hofmans Bill Boswell 7 furlongs 1:23.95 $306,000 II [21]
2006 Siren Lure 5 Alex O. Solis Art Sherman Stuart Kesselman and Tony & Marilyn Melkonian 7 furlongs 1:21.89 $298,000 II [22]
2005 Imperialism 4 Victor Espinoza Kristin Mulhall Steve Taub 7 furlongs 1:21.70 $280,000 II [23]
2004 Kela 6 Tyler Baze Mike R. Mitchell Jay Manoogian 7 furlongs 1:21.17 $194,000 II [24]
2003 Disturbingthepeace 5 Victor Espinoza Darrell Vienna David S. & Rita Milch & Herrick Racing 7 furlongs 1:21.53 $150,000 II [25]
2002 Disturbingthepeace 4 Victor Espinoza Darrell Vienna David S. & Rita Milch 7 furlongs 1:21.89 $150,000 II [26]
2001 El Corredor 4 Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Hal Earnhardt III 7 furlongs 1:20.42 $150,000 II [27]
2000 Love That Red 4 Corey Nakatani Bob Baffert Terry D. Wells 7 furlongs 1:21.89 $150,000 II [28]
1999 Regal Thunder 5 Chris Antley Julio C. Canani Dehaven, Levy, Malibu Valley Farms, et al. 7 furlongs 1:21.13 $150,000 II [29]
1998 Old Topper 3 Eddie Delahoussaye Noble Threewitt Barbara Hunter 7 furlongs 1:21.51 $158,700 III [30]
1997 Tres Paraiso 5 Gary L. Stevens Darrell Vienna Ernest Auerbach 7 furlongs 1:21.45 $108,200 III [31]
1996 Alphabet Soup 5 Chris Antley David E. Hofmans Ridder Thoroughbred Stud 7 furlongs 1:20.79 $105,450 III [32]
1995 Lit de Justice 5 Corey Nakatani Jenine Sahadi Evergreen Farm 7 furlongs 1:20.06 $103,525 III [33]
1994 D'Hallevant 4 Corey Nakatani Ron McAnally Mary Fusselman & Janice L. Ely 7 furlongs 1:20.25 $100,350 III [34]
1993 Slerp 4 Adalberto Diaz Lopez Robert B. Hess Jr. Allan L. Richie 7 furlongs 1:21.36 $87,850 Listed [35]
1992 Light of Morn 6 Eddie Delahoussaye Rodney Rash Robert E. Hibbert 7 furlongs 1:20.65 $107,275 Listed [36]
1991 Bruho 5 Corey Nakatani Jerry M. Fanning Joseph M. Scardino 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $82,600 Listed [37]
1990 Sensational Star 6 Rafael Q. Meza William Spawr Tony Calhoun, Larry Risoldi & John Sullivan 7 furlongs 1:20.60 $108,025 [38]
1989 Olympic Native 4 Robbie Davis Mike J. Orman Joe Alvarez & Helen Smith 7 furlongs 1:20.20 $78,600 [39]
1988 Sebrof 4 Gary L. Stevens Laz Barrera Aaron U. Jones 7 furlongs 1:20.40 $66,350 [40]
1987 Zany Tactics 6 Jack L. Kaenel Blake R. Heap Vera C. Brunette 7 furlongs 1:21.20 $54,250 [41]
1986 Bold Brawley 3 Pat Valenzuela Ronald W. Ellis Gilmour & Morrow 7 furlongs 1:20.40 $53,350 [42]
1981–1985 Race not held
Pat O'Brien Stakes
1980 Seafood 2 Marco Castaneda Robert J. Frankel Elmendorf Farm 7+1⁄2 furlongs 1:30.40 $45,850 2YO only[1]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Dirt   Turf

See also

List of American and Canadian Graded races

References

  1. ^ a b "Results At Del Mar (1980 Pat O'Brien Stakes – race 11: held 25 September 1980)". Los Angeles Times. 26 September 1980. p. 48. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b "PAT O'BRIEN STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Pat O'Brien Stakes (Gr. 2)". Equibase. 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  4. ^ "2023 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  5. ^ "2024 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  6. ^ "2022 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)" (PDF). Equibase. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  7. ^ "2021 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 10)" (PDF). Equibase. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  8. ^ "2020 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 10)". Equibase. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  9. ^ "2019 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  10. ^ "2018 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  11. ^ "2017 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  12. ^ "2016 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 3)". Equibase. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  13. ^ "2015 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  14. ^ "2014 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  15. ^ "2013 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 7)". Equibase. 25 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  16. ^ "2012 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 2 – (race 5)". Equibase. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  17. ^ "2011 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 1 – (race 5)". Equibase. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  18. ^ "2010 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  19. ^ "2009 Pat O'Brien Stakes Grade 1 – (race 4)". Equibase. 6 September 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  20. ^ "2008 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  21. ^ "2007 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 3)". Equibase. 19 August 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  22. ^ "2006 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 6)". Equibase. 20 August 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  23. ^ "2005 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 4)". Equibase. 21 August 2005. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  24. ^ "2004 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 15 August 2004. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  25. ^ "2003 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 August 2003. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  26. ^ "2002 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 18 August 2002. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  27. ^ "2001 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 12 August 2001. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  28. ^ "2000 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 20 August 2000. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  29. ^ "1999 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 2 – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 August 1999. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  30. ^ "1998 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 15 August 1998. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  31. ^ "1997 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 August 1997. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  32. ^ "1996 Pat O'Brien Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 17 August 1996. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  33. ^ "1995 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 19 August 1995. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  34. ^ "1994 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 20 August 1994. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  35. ^ "1993 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 21 August 1993. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  36. ^ "1992 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 23 August 1992. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  37. ^ "1991 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap Listed – (race 8)". Equibase. 24 August 1991. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  38. ^ Mieczerski, Bob (30 August 1990). "Sensational Star Turns In Another Sensational Win in O'Brien Sprint (1990 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Handicap – race 8: held 29 August 1990)". Los Angeles Times. p. 67. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  39. ^ McKibben, Dave (31 August 1989). "Sensational Star Turns In Another Sensational Win in O'Brien Sprint (1989 Pat O'Brien Handicap – race 8: held 30 August 1989)". Los Angeles Times. p. 73. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  40. ^ Christine, Bill (31 July 1988). "Sebrof Wins in Pat O'Brien Handicap (1988 Pat O'Brien Handicap – race 8: held 30 July 1988)". Los Angeles Times. p. 47. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  41. ^ Schuelein, Steve (23 August 1987). "Zany Tactics prevails, faces $120,000 question (1987 Pat O'Brien Handicap – race 8: held 22 August 1987)". Escondido Times-Advocate. p. 29. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  42. ^ "Bold Brawley Wins O'Brien 'Cap (1986 Pat O'Brien Handicap – race 8: held 30 August 1986)". The San Bernardino County Sun. Associated Press. 31 August 1986. p. 53. Retrieved 16 August 2020.