Commonwealth Stakes

Commonwealth Stakes
Grade III race
LocationKeeneland Racecourse
Lexington, Kentucky
Inaugurated1987 (as Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
Websitewww.keeneland.com/racing
Race information
Distance7 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFour-years-old and older
Weight123 lbs with allowances
PurseUS$300,000 (2022)

The Commonwealth Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses that are four years old or older, over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt held annually in early April at Keeneland Race Course, Lexington, Kentucky during the spring meeting. The event currently carries a purse of $300,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 16 October 1987, during Keeneland's fall meeting as the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes as a six furlong dirt sprint for three year olds and older and was won by Exclusive Enough who was ridden by US Hall of Fame jockey Mike E. Smith.[1] Exclusive Enough equaled the track record with his winning time of 1:084⁄5 and to date is the only three year old to have won the event.[1]

Between 1987 and 2007, the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event which reflected in the name of the event.[2]

Two years later, in 1989 Keeneland moved the event to their spring meeting in April and increased the distance to seven furlongs and changed the conditions of the event to only allow four year olds and older.[2]

The following year in 1990 the event was upgraded to Grade III status[3] and in 1994 the event was upgraded once more Grade II.[2]

Between 2007 and 2014 the event was held on the synthetic Polytrack surface.[2]

In 2013 the event was downgraded to a Grade III event.[4]

The event was not held 2020 during Keeneland's spring meeting which was moved to July and shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[5]

Records

Speed record

Margins

  • 6 lengths – Calestoga (1988)

Most wins

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Most wins by an owner

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Commonwealth Stakes
2024 Bo Cruz 4 Jose L. Ortiz Albert Stall Jr. Roger Cettina, Brian Pagano, Patrick Grippo, Peter Martine & Bruno De Julio 7 furlongs 1:22.94 $294,500 III [6]
2023 Here Mi Song 5 Alex Achard William Stinson Jr. Nathan Hayden 7 furlongs 1:23.42 $300,000 III [7]
2022 Prevalence 4 Tyler Gaffalione Brendan Walsh Godolphin Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.47 $300,000 III [8]
2021 Flagstaff 7 Joel Rosario John W. Sadler Lane's End Racing & Hronis Racing 7 furlongs 1:22.80 $200,000 III [9]
2020 Race not held
2019 Bobby's Wicked One 4 Miguel Mena Albert Stall Jr. Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables 7 furlongs 1:22.80 $250,000 III [10]
2018 Warrior's Club 4 Luis Contreras D. Wayne Lukas Churchill Downs Racing Club 7 furlongs 1:22.61 $250,000 III [11]
2017 Awesome Slew 4 Joel Rosario Mark E. Casse Live Oak Plantation 7 furlongs 1:22.31 $250,000 III [12]
2016 Ami's Flatter 4 Martin Garcia Josie Carroll Ivan Dalos 7 furlongs 1:21.66 $250,000 III [13]
2015 Kobe's Back 4 Gary L. Stevens Peter Eurton C R K Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.16 $300,000 III [14]
2014 Occasional View 6 Alan Garcia Kenneth G. McPeek Robert Trussell 7 furlongs 1:22.77 $175,000 III [15]
2013 Handsome Mike 4 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing 7 furlongs 1:23.14 $175,000 III [16]
2012 Lonesome Street 5 Joel Rosario Michael J. Maker Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey 7 furlongs 1:21.17 $175,000 II [17]
2011 Aikenite 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Dogwood Stable 7 furlongs 1:22.35 $175,000 II [18]
2010 Together Indy 4 Kent J. Desormeaux George Weaver Raymond A. Hill Stable & Vic Fontana 7 furlongs 1:22.34 $245,000 II [19]
2009 Eternal Star 5 Eibar Coa Michael J. Trombetta Harry C. & Tom O. Meyerhoff 7 furlongs 1:21.17 $203,500 II [20]
2008 Rebellion (GB) 5 Edgar S. Prado H. Graham Motion Hickory Tree Stables 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $390,000 II [21]
Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes
2007 Silent Name (JPN) 5 Corey Nakatani Gary Mandella Stronach Stables & Wertheimer et Frère 7 furlongs 1:21.26 $400,000 II [22]
2006 Sun King 4 Corey Nakatani Nicholas P. Zito Tracy Farmer 7 furlongs 1:23.30 $443,200 II [23]
2005 Clock Stopper 5 Jerry D. Bailey Dallas Stewart Overbrook Farm 7 furlongs 1:22.06 $424,900 II [24]
2004 Lion Tamer 4 Mike E. Smith Todd A. Pletcher Michael B. Tabor 7 furlongs 1:23.14 $270,250 II [25]
2003 Smooth Jazz 4 Edgar S. Prado Todd A. Pletcher Michael B. Tabor 7 furlongs 1:21.73 $273,750 II [26]
2002 Orientate 4 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Beverly J. & Robert B. Lewis 7 furlongs 1:21.54 $272,000 II [27]
2001 Alannan 5 Edgar S. Prado Carl A. Nafzger Eaglestone Farm 7 furlongs 1:22.39 $270,750 II [28]
2000 Richter Scale 6 Richard Migliore Mary Jo Lohmeier Nancy & Rcichard S, Kaster & Nathan Fox 7 furlongs 1:21.07 $207,800 II [29]
1999 Good and Tough 4 Shane Sellers Frank A. Alexander David P. Reynolds 7 furlongs 1:22.09 $201,300 II [30]
1998 Distorted Humor 5 Gary L. Stevens W. Elliott Walden Russell L. Reineman & Prestonwood Farm 7 furlongs 1:20.40 $211,000 II [31]
1997 Victor Cooley 4 Eddie Martin Jr. Mark R. Frostad Windways Farm 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $208,600 II [32]
1996 Afternoon Deelites 4 Kent J. Desormeaux Richard E. Mandella Burt Bacharach 7 furlongs 1:21.00 $211,400 II [33]
1995 Golden Gear 4 Craig Perret Doug Matthews Barry Golden 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $210,900 II [34]
1994 Memo (CHI) 7 Paul Atkinson Richard E. Mandella Stud Panter 7 furlongs 1:22.20 $149,900 II [35]
1993 Alydeed 4 Craig Perret Roger L. Attfield Kinghaven Farms 7 furlongs 1:21.40 $182,350 III [36]
1992 Pleasant Tap 5 Eddie Delahoussaye Christopher Speckert Buckland Farm 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $161,750 III [37]
1991 Black Tie Affair (IRE) 5 Juvenal Lopez Diaz Ernie T. Poulos Jeff Sullivan 7 furlongs 1:21.80 $182,500 III [38]
1990 Black Tie Affair (IRE) 4 Mark Guidry Ernie T. Poulos Jeff Sullivan 7 furlongs 1:22.00 $175,500 III [39]
1989 Sewickley 4 Randy Romero Flint S. Schulhofer Robert S. Evans 7 furlongs 1:22.40 $155,950 Listed [40]
1988 Calestoga 6 Don Brumfield Neil B. Boyce N. & M. Boyce Racing Stable 6 furlongs 1:09.40 $156,350 [41]
1987 Exclusive Enough 3 Mike E. Smith Jack Van Berg Dorothy Scharbauer 6 furlongs 1:08.40 $155,400 [1]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Dirt

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Rees, Jennie (17 October 1987). "Exclusive Enough sears Keeneland track and tote – (race 8: held 16 October 1987)". The Courier-Journal. p. 7. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Commonwealth Stakes (Gr. 3)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. ^ "COMMONWEALTH STAKES - KEENELAND, KY". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Commonwealth Stakes history at Keeneland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  5. ^ King, Byron (22 May 2020). "Keeneland Applies to Run Summer Meet July 8–12". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  6. ^ "2024 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  8. ^ "2022 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)". Equibase. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  10. ^ "2019 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  11. ^ "2018 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  12. ^ "2017 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  13. ^ "2016 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  14. ^ "2015 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  15. ^ "2014 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  16. ^ "2013 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  17. ^ "2012 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  18. ^ "2011 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  19. ^ "2010 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  20. ^ "2009 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  21. ^ "2008 Commonwealth Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  22. ^ "2007 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  23. ^ "2006 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 April 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  24. ^ "2005 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 April 2005. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  25. ^ "2004 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 5)". Equibase. 10 April 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  26. ^ "2003 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 April 2003. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  27. ^ "2002 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 2002. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  28. ^ "2001 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase. 14 April 2001. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  29. ^ "2000 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 16 April 2000. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  30. ^ "1999 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 April 1999. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  31. ^ "1998 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 11 April 1998. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  32. ^ "1997 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 April 1997. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  33. ^ "1996 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 1996. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  34. ^ "1995 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 April 1995. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  35. ^ "1994 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 17 April 1994. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  36. ^ "1993 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 April 1993. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  37. ^ "1992 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 April 1992. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  38. ^ "1991 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 April 1991. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  39. ^ Cushing, Rick (13 April 1990). "Long shot Black Tie Affair doesn't blink in Commonwealth Cup victory – (race 8: held 12 April 1990)". The Courier-Journal. p. 49. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  40. ^ McIntyre, Christy (15 April 1989). "Sewickley survives tough start, wins Commonwealth – (race 8: held 14 April 1989)". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 45. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  41. ^ Rees, Jennie (22 October 1988). "Mud-lover Calestoga romps by 6 at Keeneland – (race 8: held 21 October 1988)". The Courier-Journal. p. 20. Retrieved 18 March 2021.