Spiral Stakes
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Turfway Park Florence, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1972 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | PolyTrack |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $550,000 |
The Spiral Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held in late March at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky in the Cincinnati area. The race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the main track, which is now a synthetic surface at Turfway. It was downgraded to a Grade III race in 2011 by the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC)[1] and currently offers a purse of $550,000.
It was first run on April 1, 1972 as the Spiral Stakes. In 1982, bourbon whiskey maker Jim Beam became its sponsor and the race renamed the Jim Beam Spiral Stakes and later just the Jim Beam Stakes. In 2002, Lane's End Farm took over as sponsor of the race. It was announced on February 15, 2013 that the Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati will be the title sponsor for the 2013 running on March 23, 2013.
In 1984 it was given Grade III status, then, after moving to Turfway Park in 1986, its purse was increased and in 1988 was elevated to a Grade II race. It returned to Grade III status in 2011. With a win in the Kentucky Derby by Animal Kingdom, however, the Grade II status it lost could return soon based on the formula the AGSC uses to grade races.[2]
On March 30, 1991, Hansel set a new track record while winning the Jim Beam Stakes. In 1995, future Hall of Famer Serena's Song became the first filly to win the race. Other horses to win who went on to capture at least one of the American Classic Races includes Summer Squall (1990), Lil E. Tee (1992), Prairie Bayou (1993), and Animal Kingdom (2011).
Since inception, the race has been contested at various distances:
- 1 mile : 1972-1981
- 1 1⁄16 miles : 1982-1987
- 1 1⁄8 miles : 1988 to present
The race was run in two divisions in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1980.
Records
Speed record:
- 1:46.60 - Hansel (1991) (at current distance of 1 1⁄8 miles)
Most wins by an owner:
- 5 - Golden Chance Farm (1977, 1978, 1980 (2))
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - Pat Day (1984, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 7 - William E. Adams (1977 (2), 1978 (2), 1979, 1980 (2))
Winners of the Spiral Stakes since 1972
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance (Miles) |
Time | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Dubai Sky | 3 | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stables | 1-1/8 | 1:50.26 | III |
| 2014 | We Miss Artie | 3 | John R. Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Ken and Sarah Ramsey | 1-1/8 | 1:51.98 | III |
| 2013 | Black Onyx | 3 | Joe Bravo | Kelly Breen | Sterling Racing | 1-1/8 | 1:51.98 | III |
| 2012 | Went the Day Well | 3 | John Velazquez | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor/Ford | 1-1/8 | 1:51.33 | III |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | 3 | Alan Garcia | H. Graham Motion | Team Valor | 1-1/8 | 1:52.32 | III |
| 2010 | Dean's Kitten | 3 | Cornelio Velasquez | Michael J. Maker | Ken and Sarah Ramsey | 1-1/8 | 1:50.59 | II |
| 2009 | Hold Me Back | 3 | Kent Desormeaux | William I. Mott | WinStar Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:49.63 | II |
| 2008 | Adriano | 3 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Courtlandt Farms | 1-1/8 | 1:50.20 | II |
| 2007 | Hard Spun | 3 | Mario G. Pino | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms Inc. | 1-1/8 | 1:49.41 | II |
| 2006 | With A City | 3 | Brice Blanc | Michael J. Maker | Equirace.com | 1-1/8 | 1:51.11 | II |
| 2005 | Flower Alley | 3 | Jorge Chavez | Todd A. Pletcher | Melnyk Racing Stables | 1-1/8 | 1:50.33 | II |
| 2004 | Sinister G | 3 | Paul Toscano | John Toscano, Jr. | John T. Toscano III et al. | 1-1/8 | 1:50.71 | II |
| 2003 | New York Hero | 3 | Norberto Arroyo, Jr. | Jennifer Pedersen | Paraneck Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.68 | II |
| 2002 | Perfect Drift | 3 | Ed Delahoussaye | Murray W. Johnson | Stonecrest Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:48.83 | II |
| 2001 | Balto Star | 3 | Mark Guidry | Todd A. Pletcher | Anstu Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:47.23 | II |
| 2000 | Globalize | 3 | Francisco Torres | Jerry Hollendorfer | Howard Litt et al. | 1-1/8 | 1:49.16 | II |
| 1999 | Stephen Got Even | 3 | Shane Sellers | Nick Zito | Stephen Hilbert | 1-1/8 | 1:49.03 | II |
| 1998 | Event of the Year | 3 | Russell Baze | Jerry Hollendorfer | Golden Eagle Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:47.00 | II |
| 1997 | Concerto | 3 | Carlos Marquez, Jr. | John J. Tammaro III | Kinsman Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:48.20 | II |
| 1996 | Roar | 3 | Mike E. Smith | C. R. McGaughey III | Claiborne/Dilschneider | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | II |
| 1995 | Serena's Song | 3 | Corey Nakatani | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1-1/8 | 1:49.60 | II |
| 1994 | Polar Expedition | 3 | Curt Bourque | Hugh H. Robertson | James Cody | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | II |
| 1993 | Prairie Bayou | 3 | Chris McCarron | Thomas Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 | II |
| 1992 | Lil E. Tee | 3 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1-1/8 | 1:53.40 | II |
| 1991 | Hansel | 3 | Jerry D. Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Lazy Lane Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:46.60 | II |
| 1990 | Summer Squall | 3 | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | Dogwood Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:49.40 | II |
| 1989 | Western Playboy | 3 | Pat Day | Harvey L. Vanier | Nancy Vanier | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | II |
| 1988 | Kingpost | 3 | Eugene Sipus, Jr. | Dianne Carpenter | Mark Warner | 1-1/8 | 1:50.80 | II |
| 1987 | J. T.'s Pet | 3 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1-1/16 | 1:42.80 | II |
| 1986 | Broad Brush | 3 | Vince Bracciale, Jr. | Richard W. Small | Robert E. Meyerhoff | 1-1/16 | 1:44.20 | II |
| 1985 | Banner Bob | 3 | Keith Allen | Jerome Sarner, Jr. | Sharon & W. J. Walsh | 1-1/16 | 1:42.00 | II |
| 1984 | At The Threshold | 3 | Pat Day | Lynn S. Whiting | W. Cal Partee | 1-1/16 | 1:42.80 | II |
| 1983 | Marfa | 3 | Jorge Velasquez | D. Wayne Lukas | Beal/French, Jr./Lukas | 1-1/16 | 1:42.40 | II |
| 1982 | Good N' Dusty | 3 | Michael Moran | Jasper Adams | Larry R. Lehman | 1-1/16 | 1:44.60 | II |
| 1981 | Mythical Ruler | 3 | Kevin Wirth | Fred Wirth | Price & Risen | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | II |
| 1980 # | Spruce Needles | 3 | Mark Sellers | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.20 | II |
| 1980 # | Major Run | 3 | Mark Sellers | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | II |
| 1979 | Lot O' Gold | 3 | Don Brumfield | William E. Adams | Frederick E. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | II |
| 1978 # | Raymond Earl | 3 | Julio Espinoza | William E. Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | II |
| 1978 # | Five Star General | 3 | Julio Espinoza | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:37.80 | II |
| 1977 # | Bob's Dusty | 3 | Julio Espinoza | William E. Adams | Robert N. Lehmann | 1 mile | 1:38.80 | II |
| 1977 # | Smiley's Dream | 3 | W. Destefona | William E. Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.40 | II |
| 1976 | Inca Roca | 3 | William Nemeti | A. T. Skinner | C. Jarrell | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | II |
| 1975 | Ambassador's Image | 3 | E. Snell | D. Ball | Donamire Farm | 1 mile | 1:38.40 | II |
| 1975 | Naughty Jake | 3 | German Vasquez | Jake Bachelor | Mildred Bachelor | 1 mile | 1:40.00 | II |
| 1974 # | King of Rome | 3 | Keith Wirth | Fred Wirth | Fred Wirth | 1 mile | 1:45.40 | II |
| 1974 # | Aglorite | 3 | Keith Wirth | Fred Wirth | A. Risen Jr. | 1 mile | 1:44.60 | II |
| 1973 # | Jacks Chevron | 3 | Mickey Solomone | C. C. Patrick | C. C. Patrick | 1 mile | 1:41.00 | II |
| 1973 # | Bootlegger's Pet | 3 | Kerry Wirth | Carl Sitgraves | W. Hines/C. Sitgraves | 1 mile | 1:42.00 | II |
| 1972 | Big Dot | 3 | Jim Murchison | James Eckrosh | E. Lowrence | 1 mile | 1:38.80 |
A # indicates that the race was run in two divisions in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1980.
