Starlet Stakes

Starlet Stakes
Grade II race
LocationLos Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California
Inaugurated1979 (at Hollywood Park Racetrack)
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteLos Alamitos
Race information
Distance1+1⁄16 miles
Surfacedirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationTwo-year-old fillies
Weight120 lbs.
Purse$200,000 (since 2023)

The Starlet Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old fillies run over a distance of one and one sixteenth miles (8+1⁄2 furlongs) on the dirt held annually in early December at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California. The event currently offers a purse of $200,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was during the spring meeting of 1979, on 13 April at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California as a 6 furlong sprint for three-year-olds. The event was won by Eloquent who was ridden by the US Hall of Fame jockey Donald Pierce and trained by US Hall of Fame trainer Lazaro S. Barrera in a time of 1:09 flat.[1]

The event was not run the following. In 1981 the administration of Hollywood Park Racetrack decided to hold two new two-year-old events at the end of the racing season with one for colts and geldings, Hollywood Futurity and for fillies the Hollywood Starlet Stakes. The races were held on consecutive weekends with the Hollywood Starlet Stakes run on 21 November while the Futurity was held on 28 November.[2]

With high stakes that were offered for the race the event attracted many fine two-year-old fillies. Within two years, in 1983 the American Graded Stakes Committee classified the event with the highest grading of Grade I.[3] That year the US Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas saddled the first of eight victories in the event with Althea winning and US Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. in the reins.[4] Althea would be voted an Eclipse Award as the American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly for 1983.

In 1984 the Breeders' Cup was initiated and held at Hollywood Park, the winner by protest of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Outstandingly would three weeks later confirm her dominance with another win over Fran's Valentine to win the Hollywood Starlet[5] and capture US Champion Two-Year-Old Filly honors.

In 1985 the distance of the event was decreased to one mile.[6] After six runnings the distance was reverted back to a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles.

In 2003, Hollywood Story became the first maiden to win the Starlet in the history of the event.[7]

In 2006 the event was run on a new synthetic Cushion Track which was installed at Hollywood Park.[3]

With the closure of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event was moved Los Alamitos Race Course and renamed to the Starlet Stakes.[3]

The Starlet Stakes is the final major race of the year for young fillies and is frequented by horses coming out of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

As a supplementary entry of $10,000 Abel Tasman started at 13-1 and won the event in 2016.[8] The following year Abel Tasman had an excellent season winning three Grade I events including the Kentucky Oaks and was voted US Champion 3-Year-Old Filly.[9]

In 2023 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade II status.[10]


Records

Speed record:

  • 1+1⁄16 miles (dirt): 1:41.82 - Splendid Blended (2004)
  • 1+1⁄16 miles (synthetic): 1:40.54 - Country Star (2007)
  • 1 mile: 1:35.00 – Stocks Up (1998)

Margins:

  • 11 lengths – Love Lock (1997)

Most wins by an owner:

  • 3 – Baoma Corporation (2019, 2020, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 10 – Bob Baffert (1998, 2001, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Winners

Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Los Alamitos – Starlet Stakes
2023 Nothing Like You Juan J. Hernandez Bob Baffert Georgia Antley Hunt, Jeff Giglio & John L. Rogitz 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.78 $200,500 II [11]
2022 Faiza Flavien Prat Bob Baffert Michael Lund Petersen 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.49 $300,500 I [12]
2021 Eda Juan J. Hernandez Bob Baffert Baoma Corporation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.51 $300,500 I [13]
2020 Varda Drayden Van Dyke Bob Baffert Baoma Corporation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.53 $300,500 I [14]
2019 Bast Drayden Van Dyke Bob Baffert Baoma Corporation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.36 $300,000 I [15]
2018 Chasing Yesterday Drayden Van Dyke Bob Baffert Summer Wind Equine 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.59 $300,345 I [16]
2017 Dream Tree Drayden Van Dyke Bob Baffert Phoenix Thoroughbred III 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.87 $294,000 I [17]
2016 Abel Tasman Joseph Talamo Simon Callaghan Clearsky Farms 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.25 $301,380 I [18]
2015 Street Fancy Mike E. Smith Philip D'Amato Agave Racing Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.42 $301,000 I [19]
2014 Take Charge Brandi Victor Espinoza D. Wayne Lukas Willis D. Horton 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.18 $350,500 I [20]
At Hollywood Park – Hollywood Starlet Stakes
2013 Streaming Martin Garcia Bob Baffert Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings & Edward McGhee 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.96 $500,500 I [21]
2012 Pure Fun Garrett K. Gomez Kenneth G. McPeek Magdalena Racing 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.65 $500,000 I [22]
2011 Killer Graces Joseph Talamo Jerry Hollendorfer Jerry Hollendorfer, Daniel Borislow, Gillian Campbell & Steve Melen 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.09 $402,000 I [23]
2010 Turbulent Descent David R. Flores Mike Puype Blinkers On Racing, Aurelio, Strauss, Butler, Coons, Lapso, et al 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.18 $409,250 I [24]
2009 Blind Luck Rafael Bejarano Jerry Hollendorfer Jerry Hollendorfer, Mark DeDomenico & John Carver 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.96 $405,250 I [25]
2008 Laragh Edgar S. Prado John P. Terranova II IEAH Stables, Gary Tolchin & Pegasus Holding Group Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.96 $438,500 I [26]
2007 Country Star Rafael Bejarano Robert J. Frankel Stonerside Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:40.54 $425,500 I [27]
2006 Romance Is Diane David R. Flores Mike R. Mitchell Senji Nishimura 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.61 $459,250 I [28]
2005 Diplomat Lady Tyler Baze Christopher S. Paasch Charles Cono 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.89 $456,000 I [29]
2004 Splendid Blended Kent J. Desormeaux Neil D. Drysdale Peter Vegso 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.82 $389,000 I [30]
2003 Hollywood Story Pat Valenzuela John Shirreffs George Krikorian 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.87 $349,500 I [31]
2002 Elloluv Pat Valenzuela Craig Dollase J. Paul Reddam 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.88 $356,500 I [32]
2001 Habibti Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert The Thoroughbred Corporation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.12 $358,000 I [33]
2000 I Believe in You Alex O. Solis Paul J. McGee Samantha, Jan & Mace Siegel 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.57 $341,750 I [34]
1999 Surfside Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.51 $380,250 I [35]
1998 Excellent Meeting Kent J. Desormeaux Bob Baffert Golden Eagle Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.14 $400,000 I [36]
1997 § Love Lock Kent J. Desormeaux D. Wayne Lukas Michael Tabor 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.17 $281,000 I [37]
1996 Sharp Cat Corey Nakatani D. Wayne Lukas The Thoroughbred Corporation 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.69 $276,000 I [38]
1995 Cara Rafaela Corey Nakatani D. Wayne Lukas Gonzalo Borges Torrealba 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.10 $250,000 I [39]
1994 Serena's Song Corey Nakatani D. Wayne Lukas Robert & Beverly Lewis 1+1⁄16 miles 1:41.96 $250,000 I [40]
1993 Sardula Eddie Delahoussaye Brian A. Mayberry Ann & Jerry Moss 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.34 $252,900 I [41]
1992 Creaking Board (GB) Corey Nakatani Robert J. Frankel Patrizio Cozzi 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.73 $250,000 I [42]
1991 Magical Maiden Gary L. Stevens Warren Stute Clement L. Hirsch 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.74 $251,100 I [43]
1990 Cuddles Gary L. Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 1 mile 1:36.20 $500,000 I [44]
1989 Cheval Volant Alex O. Solis Kenneth J. Jumps Kenneth J. Jumps, Steve Shapiro & David Stark 1 mile 1:35.60 $500,000 I [45]
1988 Stocks Up Alex O. Solis Ted West Alan Prible, John Coehlo, Charles Johnson & Pete Valenti 1 mile 1:35.00 $581,250 I [46]
1987 Goodbye Halo Jorge Velasquez Charles E. Whittingham Alex Campbell Jr. & Arthur B. Hancock III 1 mile 1:36.20 $549,100 I [47]
1986 Very Subtle Pat Valenzuela Melvin F. Stute Carl Grinstead & Ben Rochelle 1 mile 1:37.00 $500,000 I [48]
1985 I'm Splendid Chris McCarron James J. Toner Caesar P. Kimmel 1 mile 1:36.00 $625,850 I [49]
1984 Outstandingly Walter Guerra Frank Martin Sr. Harbor View Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:44.00 $702,500 I [5]
1983 Althea Laffit Pincay Jr. D. Wayne Lukas Helen Alexander, David Aykroyd & Helen Groves 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.00 $500,000 I [4]
1982 Fabulous Notion Donald R. Pierce James Jordan Pine Meadow Thoroughbreds 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.40 $518,850 [50]
1981 Skillful Joy Chris McCarron Leland R. Fenstermaker Fred W. Hooper 1+1⁄16 miles 1:43.20 $427,250 [51]
1980 Race not held
Starlet Stakes
1979 Eloquent Donald R. Pierce Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 6 furlongs 1:09.00 $43,200 3YO[1]

Legend:
  All Weather Track   Dirt
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Abbott, Bion (14 April 1979). "Terlingua Is Beaten; Pierce Rides Eloquent To Upset Victory (1979 Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 13 April 1979)". The Los Angeles Times. p. 52. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Fall Racing at Holly Park". The Desert Sun. 9 November 1981. p. 18. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Starlet Stakes (Gr. 1)". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b Christine, Bill (28 November 1983). "Althea Reverses Things At Hollypark; She Wins Starlet Stakes From Her Tormentor Life's Magic (1983 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 27 November 1983)". The Los Angeles Times. pp. 60, 72. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Outstandingly Wins Hollywood's Starlet (1984 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 2 December 1984)". Lexington Herald-Leader. The Associated Press. 3 December 1984. p. 42. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  6. ^ "STARLET STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  7. ^ Oser, Christine (31 July 2020). "Winner Hollywood Story Continues to Deliver From the Feature Well: Dam of Honor A. P. plays role of leading lady at Starwood Farm". Truenicks.com. BloodHorse. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  8. ^ Caldwell, Jennifer (10 December 2016). "Abel Tasman upsets Starlet". Brisnet. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Consistent Abel Tasman Earns 3-Year-Old Filly Title". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  10. ^ "American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023". Bloodhorse.com. Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  11. ^ "2023 Starlet Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  12. ^ "2022 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  13. ^ "2021 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  14. ^ "2020 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  15. ^ "2019 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  16. ^ "2018 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  17. ^ "2017 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  18. ^ "2016 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  19. ^ "2015 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 12 December 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  20. ^ "2014 Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  21. ^ "2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 6)". Equibase. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  22. ^ "2012 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  23. ^ "2011 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  24. ^ "2010 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  25. ^ "2009 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 20 December 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  26. ^ "2008 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 December 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  27. ^ "2007 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  28. ^ "2006 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 December 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  29. ^ "2005 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 December 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  30. ^ "2004 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 December 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  31. ^ "2003 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 21 December 2003. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  32. ^ "2002 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 4)". Equibase. 14 December 2002. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  33. ^ "2001 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 December 2001. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  34. ^ "2000 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 December 2000. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  35. ^ "1999 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 19 December 1999. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  36. ^ "1998 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 13 December 1998. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  37. ^ "1997 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 December 1997. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  38. ^ "1996 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 14 December 1996. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  39. ^ "1995 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 16 December 1995. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  40. ^ "1994 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 December 1994. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  41. ^ "1993 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 18 December 1993. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  42. ^ "1992 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase. 19 December 1992. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  43. ^ "1991 Hollywood Starlet Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 21 December 1991. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  44. ^ Mieszerski, Bob (27 November 1990). "Hollywood Park; Cuddles get picture ride from Stevens (1990 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 26 November 1990)". The Los Angeles Times. p. 54. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  45. ^ Hovdey, Jay (4 December 1989). "After 3 Losses, Cheval Volant Wins Starlet (1989 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 3 December 1989)". The Los Angeles Times. p. 52. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  46. ^ Christine, Bill (5 December 1988). "Hollywood Starlet Stakes; Stocks Up Rewards Her Trainer (1988 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 4 December 1988)". The Los Angeles Times. p. 61. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Goodbye Halo Gallops In Hollywood Starlet; ... (1987 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 9: held 5 December 1987)". The Courier-Journal. The Associated Press. 6 December 1987. p. 27. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  48. ^ "undefeated Very Subtle Takes Hollywood Starlet (1986 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 30 November 1986)". San Bernardino County Sun. The Associated Press. 1 December 1986. p. 16. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  49. ^ Bortstein, Larry (2 December 1985). "McCarron Cashes In On Chance; He Guides I'm Splendid to Victory in $625,850 Starlet At Hollypark (1985 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 1 December 1985)". The Los Angeles Times. p. 34. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  50. ^ "Fabulous Notion Wins the Starlet Stakes (1982 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 28 November 1982)". The Los Angeles Times. 29 November 1982. p. 39. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  51. ^ Curran, Joanne (22 November 1981). "Surprise Ending to Starlet; McCarron Skillful Joy Pull $16.20 Upset Victory (1981 Hollywood Starlet Stakes – race 8: held 21 November 1981)". The Los Angeles Times. p. 86. Retrieved 29 November 2021.