Will Rogers Stakes

Will Rogers Stakes
Discontinued Grade 3 stakes race
LocationHollywood Park Racetrack
Inglewood, California, United States
Inaugurated1938
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Race information
Distance1 mile (8 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
WeightAssigned
Purse$100,000

The Will Rogers Stakes was an American Grade IIIT Thoroughbred horse race.

Run annually in the latter part of May at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California, the race is open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of one mile on turf and currently carries a purse of $100,000. Run as a handicap prior to 2001. Run at one mile since 1995. Run exclusively on turf since 1969. Run for 3-year-olds & up in 1938, 1944.

The race was named for legendary American humorist and horseman Will Rogers who died in 1935.

Among the notable winners of this race are two U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees. Swaps won the 1955 Kentucky Derby and, in his next outing, won the Will Rogers Stakes by twelve lengths. Round Table won the race in 1957 by three and a half lengths.

In 2010, the Will Rogers was lengthened to 1 1/16-mile.

Winners of the Will Rogers Stakes since 2000

Year
 Winner
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Owner
 Time
2010 Leroy's Dynameaux Joel Rosario Mark Glatt Ellenay Racing 1:40.43
2009 Race not held
2008 Polonius Jon Court Michael Pender B. J. Wright 1:34.95
2007 Worldly Victor Espinoza Ben D. A. Cecil Christopher Wright 1:35.19
2006 Stratham David Cohen Tim Yakteen Jerry Jamgotchian 1:34.19
2005 Osidy Alex Solis Richard Mandella B. Wayne Hughes 1:34.67
2004 Laura's Lucky Boy Pat Valenzuela Jason Orman Mercedes Stable 1:33.45
2003 Private Chef Victor Espinoza John Shirreffs Jerry & Ann Moss 1:35.57
2002 Doc Holiday David R. Flores Aimee Dollase Wallace Dollase 1:34.64
2001 Media Mogul (DH) Alex Solis Jenine Sahadi Team Valor et al. 1:35.10
2001 Dr. Park (DH) Tyler Baze John W. Sadler C R K Stable 1:35.10
2000 Purely Cozzene Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Ed & Natalie Friendly 1:34.67

Earlier winners (partial list)

  • 1999 - Eagleton
  • 1998 - Magical
  • 1997 - Brave Act
  • 1996 - Let Bob Do It
  • 1995 - Via Lombardia
  • 1994 - Unfinished Symph
  • 1993 - Future Storm
  • 1992 - The Name's Jimmy
  • 1991 - Compelling Sound
  • 1990 - Itsallgreektome
  • 1989 - Notorious Pleasure
  • 1988 - Word Pirate
  • 1987 - Something Lucky
  • 1986 - Mazaad
  • 1985 - Pine Belt
  • 1984 - Tsunami Slew
  • 1983 - Barberstown
  • 1982 - Give Me Strength
  • 1982 - Sword Blade
  • 1981 - Splendid Spruce
  • 1980 - Stiff Diamond
  • 1979 - Ibacache
  • 1978 - April Axe
  • 1977 - Nordic Prince
  • 1976 - Madera Sun
  • 1975 - Uniformity
  • 1974 - Stardust Mel
  • 1973 - Groshawk
  • 1972 - Quack
  • 1971 - Dr. Knighton
  • 1971 - Fast Fellow
  • 1970 - Lime
  • 1970 - Whittingham
  • 1969 - Tell
  • 1968 - Poleax
  • 1967 - Jungle Road
  • 1966 - Ri Tux
  • 1966 - Aqua Vite
  • 1965 - Terry's Secret
  • 1964 - Count Charles
  • 1963 - Viking Spirit
  • 1963 - Bre'r Rabbit
  • 1962 - Wallet Lifter
  • 1962 - Prince Of Plenty
  • 1961 - Four-and-Twenty
  • 1960 - Flow Line
  • 1959 - Ole Fols
  • 1958 - Hillsdale
  • 1957 - Round Table
  • 1956 - Terrang
  • 1955 - Swaps
  • 1954 - Don McCoy
  • 1953 - Imbros
  • 1952 - Forelock
  • 1951 - Gold Note
  • 1950 - (Not run)
  • 1949 - Blue Dart (Run at Santa Anita)
  • 1948 - Speculation
  • 1947 - On Trust
  • 1946 - Burra Sahib
  • 1945 - Quick Reward
  • 1944 - Phar Rong
  • 1943 - (Not run)
  • 1942 - (Not run)
  • 1941 - Battle Colors
  • 1940 - Sweepida
  • 1939 - Time Alone
  • 1938 - Dogaway

References