Tropical Turf Stakes

Tropical Turf Stakes
Grade III race
LocationGulfstream Park
Hallandale Beach, Florida,
United States
Inaugurated1972 (at Calder Race Track as Christmas Day Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing - Turf
WebsiteGulfstream Park
Race information
Distance1 mile
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and older
Weight124 lbs with allowances
Purse$100,000 (since 1994)

The Tropical Turf Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years olds and older at the distance of one mile on the turf held annually in January at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $100,000.

History

It was run as the Christmas Day Handicap through 1992.

Open to three-year-old horses and up, it is set at a distance of one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) and currently offers a purse of $100,000.

The Tropical Turf is the last of the four $100,000 stakes races on Gulfstream West's "Grand Slam I program." The My Charmer Handicap is the first, the Three Ring Stakes second, and the Foolish Pleasure Stakes third.

In 2015 this race was run at Gulfstream Park West at one and one-sixteenth mile.

In 2023 the event was downgraded to Listed was not scheduled by Gulfstream Park.[1]

Records

Speed record:

  • 1 mile – 1:32.83 – Tusk (2020)
  • 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:42.47 - Lubash (2017)
  • 1+1⁄8 miles – 1:44.95 - Carterista (1993)

Margins:

  • 7 lengths – Sir Cat (1997)
Most wins by an owner
  • 2 - S A Of South Florida (1992, 1993)
  • 2 - Joseph J. Sullivan (1994, 1995)
  • 2 - Moyglare Stud Farm (1999, 2013)
  • 2 - Richard C. Thompson (2006, 2007)
  • 2 - Aliyu Ben J Stables (2014, 2016)
Most wins by a jockey
Most wins by a trainer


Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Gulfstream Park – Tropical Turf Stakes
2023 Race not held
2022 Clear Vision 6 Julien Leparoux Matthew O'Connor MeB Racing Stables abt. 1 mile 1:35.36 $100,000 III [2]
2021 Ride a Comet 6 Tyler Gaffalione Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley & My Meadowview Farm 1 mile 1:33.62 $100,000 III [3]
2020 Tusk 7 Tyler Gaffalione Saffie A. Joseph Jr. Jordan V. Wycoff 1 mile 1:32.83 $100,000 III [4]
2019 Doctor Mounty 6 Javier Castellano Claude R. McGaughey III Larry Pratt & Dave Alden 1 mile 1:34.62 $100,000 III [5]
2018 Race not held due to schedule change
2017 Shakhimat 4 Edgard J. Zayas Roger L. Attfield Dan Gale, Roger L. Attfield & William K. Werner 1 mile 1:36.03 $100,000 III [6]
At Calder/Gulfstream Park West – Tropical Turf Handicap
2016 † Lubash 9 Joe Bravo Christophe Clement Aliyu Ben J Stables 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.47 $100,000 III [7]
2015 Lochte 5 Matthew Rispoli Marcus J. Vitali Crossed Sabres Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:50.95 $100,000 III [8]
2014 Lubash 7 Brice Blanc Christophe Clement Aliyu Ben J Stables 1+1⁄8 miles 1:50.72 $100,000 III [9]
2013 Speaking of Which (IRE) 4 Joe Bravo Christophe Clement Moyglare Stud Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:50.03 $100,000 III [10]
2012 Philly Ace 4 Luis Saez Christophe Clement Brushwood Stable 1+1⁄8 miles 1:49.22 $100,000 III [11]
2011 Silver Medallion 3 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Black Rock Stables 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.84 $100,000 III [12]
2010 Twilight Meteor 6 Luis Saez Martin D. Wolfson Peachtree Stable 1+1⁄8 miles 1:46.85 $100,000 III [13]
2009 Race not held
2008 Spice Route (GB) 4 Javier Castellano Roger L. Attfield Harlequin Ranches 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.41 $100,000 III [14]
2007 Ballast (IRE) 6 Kent J. Desormeaux H. Graham Motion Richard C. Thompson 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.54 $100,000 III [15]
2006 Ballast (IRE) 5 Rafael Bejarano H. Graham Motion Richard C. Thompson 1+1⁄8 miles 1:47.54 $100,000 III [16]
2005 Silver Tree 5 Jerry D. Bailey William I. Mott Peter Vegso 1+1⁄8 miles 1:46.28 $100,000 III [17]
2004 Host (CHI) 4 John R. Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Eugene & Laura Melnyk 1+1⁄8 miles 1:45.74 $100,000 III [18]
2003 Political Attack 4 Rene R. Douglas Michael R. Matz Erdenheim Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:45.81 $100,000 III [19]
2002 Krieger 4 Eibar Coa Joe Orseno Stronach Stables 1+1⁄8 miles 1:47.02 $100,000 III [20]
2001 Band Is Passing 5 Carlos Gonzalez Stanley M. Ersoff Stanley M. Ersoff 1+1⁄8 miles 1:46.90 $100,000 III [21]
2000 Stokosky 4 Carlos Alberto Hernandez Juan P. Rizo Santa Cruz Ranch 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.77 $100,000 III [22]
1999 Hibernian Rhapsody (IRE) 4 Rene R. Douglas Christophe Clement Moyglare Stud Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:46.17 $100,000 III [23]
1998 Unite's Big Red 4 Eduardo O. Nunez Randy Mills Break Away Racing Stable & Dream Catcher 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.96 $100,000 III [24]
1997 Sir Cat 4 Jose Alberto Rivera II William I. Mott John R. Murrell 1+1⁄8 miles 1:54.08 $100,000 III [25]
1996 Mecke 4 Robbie Davis Emanuel Tortora James R. Lewis Jr. 1+1⁄8 miles 1:46.51 $100,000 III [26]
1995 The Vid 5 Herb McCauley Martin D. Wolfson Joseph J. Sullivan 1+1⁄8 miles 1:44.99 $100,000 III [27]
1994 The Vid 4 Rene R. Douglas Martin D. Wolfson Joseph J. Sullivan 1+1⁄8 miles 1:49.06 $100,000 III [28]
1993 Carterista 5 Wigberto S. Ramos Ronald B. Spatz S A Of South Florida abt. 1+1⁄8 miles 1:44.95 $75,000 III [29]
Christmas Day Handicap
1992 Carterista 4 Michael Andre Lee Ronald B. Spatz S A Of South Florida abt. 1+1⁄8 miles 1:46.35 $50,000 III Division 1[30]
Bidding Proud 3 Jose A. Santos Jimmy Croll John C. Sessa 1:46.02 $50,000 Division 2[31]
1991 Race not held
1990 Stolen Rolls 4 Pedro A. Rodriguez Lawrence W. Jennings Jr. Esquire Farms abt. 1+1⁄8 miles 1:45.20 $59,500 III [32]
1989 Vaguely Double 4 Walter Guerra Edward Plesa Jr. Elizabeth A. Sessa 1+1⁄8 miles 1:48.80 $55,490 III [33]
1988 Equalize 6 Jose A. Santos Angel Penna Sr. Tartan Farms 1+1⁄8 miles 1:45.00 $58,350 III [34]
1987 Race not held
1986 Arctic Honeymoon 3 Robert Neal Lester Luis Olivares Beverly Green 1+1⁄8 miles 1:54.00 $54,250 III [35]
1985 Ban the Blues 6 Gene St. Leon William C. Knuck Harold Kitchen 1+1⁄8 miles 1:53.20 $56,900 III [36]
1984 Biloxi Indian 3 Bryan Fann Dianne Carpenter Dianne Carpenter 1+1⁄8 miles 1:54.00 $61,250 III [37]
1983 ‡ Eminency 5 Pat Day Claude R. McGaughey III Happy Valley Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:51.20 $54,250 III [38]
1982 Rivalero 6 Jacinto Vasquez David A. Whitely Calumet Farm 1+1⁄8 miles 1:53.60 $55,450 III [39]
1981 The Liberal Member 6 Jerry D. Bailey Angel Penna Sr. Ogden Phipps 1+1⁄8 miles 1:51.80 $58,550 III [40]
1980 Yosi Boy 4 Alfredo Smith Jr. Jose A. Mendez Miraflores Stable 1+1⁄8 miles 1:51.80 $55,300 [41]
1979 Lot o' Gold 3 Don Brumfield William E. Adams Frederick E. Lehmann 1+1⁄8 miles 1:52.60 $55,550 [42]
1976–1978 Race not held
1975 Proud Birdie 2 Jack Fieselman Rosemary G. Henderson Thomas Edmondson 1+1⁄16 miles 1:47.00 $31,500 2YOs only[43]
1974 L. Grant Jr. 4 Jimmy Combest Reed M. Combest Elkcan Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.80 $30,500 [44]
1973 Proud and Bold 3 Robert Woodhouse John Zarthar Robert Van Worp Sr. 1+1⁄16 miles 1:45.60 $28,500 [45]
1972 Prince of Truth 4 Jacinto Vasquez Lawrence W. Jennings Lucky Irish Stable 1+1⁄16 miles 1:46.00 $29,500 [46]

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt
Notes:
† In the 2017 running of the event Rose Briar was first past the post but drifted out in the late stretch and was disqualified and placed second. Lubash was declared the winner of the event.
‡ In the 1983 running of the event World Appeal was first past the post was disqualified and placed second. Eminency was declared the winner of the event.

See also

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "2022 Tropical Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 Tropical Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  4. ^ "2020 Tropical Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  5. ^ "2019 Tropical Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)". Equibase. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  6. ^ "2017 Tropical Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  7. ^ "2016 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  8. ^ "2015 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  9. ^ "2014 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  10. ^ "2013 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)". Equibase. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  11. ^ "2012 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  12. ^ "2011 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  13. ^ "2010 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 4 December 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  14. ^ "2008 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  15. ^ "2007 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  16. ^ "2006 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 2 December 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  17. ^ "2005 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 3 December 2005. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  18. ^ "2004 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 4 December 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  19. ^ "2003 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 6 December 2003. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  20. ^ "2002 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 7 December 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  21. ^ "2001 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 8 December 2001. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  22. ^ "2000 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 9 December 2000. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  23. ^ "1999 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 27 November 1999. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  24. ^ "1998 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 28 November 1998. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  25. ^ "1997 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 29 November 1997. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  26. ^ "1996 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 30 November 1996. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  27. ^ "1995 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 November 1995. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  28. ^ "1994 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 26 November 1994. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  29. ^ "1993 Tropical Turf Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 December 1993. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  30. ^ "1992 Christmas Day Handicap (Division 1) Grade 3 - (race 8)". Equibase. 25 December 1992. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  31. ^ "1992 Christmas Day Handicap (Division 2) Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 25 December 1992. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  32. ^ "'Rolls' wins Christmas Handicap (1990 Christmas Day Handicap – race 8: held 25 December 1990)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. 26 December 1990. p. 39. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Vaguely Double wins at Calder (1989 Christmas Day Handicap – race 10: held 25 December 1989)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press. 26 December 1989. p. 33. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Equalize wins by 4 lengths in Christmas Day Handicap (1988 Christmas Day Handicap – race 10: held 25 December 1988)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press. 26 December 1988. p. 34. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  35. ^ "16-1 shot Arctic Honeymoon wins Christmas 'Cap at Calder (1986 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1986)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press. 26 December 1986. p. 44. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  36. ^ "'Blues' edges Jim Bracken to win Christmas Handicap (1985 Christmas Day Handicap – race 10: held 25 December 1985)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press. 26 December 1985. p. 30. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Biloxi Indian wins at Calder (1984 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1984)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press. 26 December 1984. p. 41. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  38. ^ Evans, Luther (27 December 1983). "Eminency wins as World Appeal is disqualified (1983 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 26 December 1983)". Miami Herald. p. 24. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  39. ^ Evans, Luther (26 December 1982). "'Relaxed' Rivalero earns Christmas Handicap victory (1982 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1982)". Miami Herald. p. 52. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  40. ^ Evans, Luther (26 December 1981). "The Liberal Member outclasses the Christmas field (1981 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1981)". Miami Herald. p. 52. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  41. ^ Evans, Luther (26 December 1980). "Smith escapes injury, ... (1980 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1980)". Miami Herald. p. 96. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  42. ^ Evans, Luther (26 December 1979). "With Bid Gone, Lot O' Gold Wins (1979 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1979)". Miami Herald. p. 54. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  43. ^ Moran, Paul (26 December 1975). "Birdie Pays $55 on Christmas (1975 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1975)". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 48. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  44. ^ "Grant Jr. Captures Christmas Day Stakes (1974 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1974)". Fort Lauderdale News. The Associated Press. 26 December 1974. p. 67. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  45. ^ "Favorite Captures Christmas Feature (1973 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1973)". Fort Lauderdale News. The Associated Press. 26 December 1973. p. 56. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Prince of Truth Is Winner (1972 Christmas Day Handicap – race 9: held 25 December 1972)". Lexington Leader. The Associated Press. 26 December 1972. p. 13. Retrieved 5 January 2021.