Geisha Stakes
| Restricted State-bred Stakes race race | |
| Location | Laurel Park Racecourse, Laurel, Maryland  OR Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1973 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Marylandthoroughbred.com |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1-1/8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Track | Dirt, left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds & up; fillies and mares |
| Purse | $75,000 |
Geisha Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in April since 1973 primarily at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore or at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel. To be eligible for the Geisha Handicap, a horse must be bred in Maryland. Due to that restriction the race is classified as a non-graded or "listed" stakes race and is not eligible for grading by the American Graded Stakes Committee. [1]
The race was run at 1-1/16 miles for its first 30 years in existence from 1973-2003. The race was run on the turf one year in 1988.
In its 39th running in 2010, the race was named in honor of Alfred G. Vanderbilt's Geisha, a Maryland-bred daughter of Discovery and bred by John P. Grier. She was foaled at the famed Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Maryland in 1943. She was bred to Preakness Stakes winner Polynesian and produced Native Dancer in 1950, one of the greatest race horses and sires of the 20th century.
Records
Speed record:
- 1 mile (8 furlongs) : 1:36.40 - Love That Dance (2009)
- 1-1/16 miles (9 furlongs) : 1:43.80 - Silmaril (2004)
Most wins by an owner:
- 1 - 25 different owners tied with one
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Edgar S. Prado (1993, 1996 and 1998)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Anthony W. Dutrow (1999, 2002 & 2006)
Winners of the Maryland Million Oaks
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Distance (Miles) |
Time |
Purse |
| 2009 | Love That Dance | 3 | Carlos Marquez, Jr. | Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr. | John Petrini | 1 mile | 1:36.40 | $100,000 |
| 2008 | Sweet Goodbye | 3 | J. D. Acosta | Christopher W. Grove | William R. Harris | 1 mile | 1:38.47 | $150,000 |
| 2007 | Moon Catcher | 3 | Tony Black | Timothy F. Ritchie | CJZ Racing Stable | 1 mile | 1:37.47 | $150,000 |
| 2006 | Smart and Fancy | 3 | Jeremy Rose | Anthony W. Dutrow | Win and Place Stable | 1 mile | 1:37.34 | $150,000 |
| 2005 | Sticky Fitzhugh LLC | 3 | Jozbin Z. Santana | Richard W. Small | Fitzhugh LLC | 1-1/8 | 1:54.20 | $150,000 |
| 2004 | Silmaril | 3 | Abel Castellano Jr. | Christopher W. Grove | Stephen E. Quick | 1-1/16 | 1:43.80 | $100,000 |
| 2003 | River Cruise | 3 | Jeremy Rose | Lawence E. Murray | Sondra D. Bender | 1-1/8 | 1:50.65 | $100,000 |
| 2002 | Undercover | 3 | Mario Pino | Anthony W. Dutrow | Anthony W. Dutrow | 1-1/16 | 1:43.90 | $100,000 |
| 2001 | Along Came Mary | 3 | Travis Dunkelberger | H. James Bond | Gerald A. Nielsen | 1-1/16 | 1:45.71 | $100,000 |
| 2000 | Gin Talking | 3 | Ramon Dominguez | Robin L. Graham | Skeedattle Associates | 1-1/8 | 1:48.71 | $100,000 |
| 1999 | Saratoga Friends | 3 | Rick Wilson | Anthony W. Dutrow | Saratoga Friends Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:51.00 | $100,000 |
| 1998 | Maragold Princess | 3 | Edgar S. Prado | Todd A. Pletcher | Michael Cascio | 1-1/8 | 1:51.00 | $100,000 |
| 1997 | Proud Run | 3 | Nick Santagata | Richard J. Hendriks | Katharine W. Merryman | 1-1/8 | 1:51.00 | $100,000 |
| 1996 | The Rulers Sister | 3 | Edgar S. Prado | Donald H. Barr | Childs & Childs Stable | 1-1/8 | 1:49.00 | $100,000 |
| 1995 | Urbane | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Randy Bradshaw | Siegel Family | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $100,000 |
| 1994 | Churchbell Chimes | 3 | Albert Delgado | J. William Boniface | Susan Granville | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $100,000 |
| 1993 | Champion Jay | 3 | Edgar S. Prado | Carlos A. Garcia | Herman J. Kossow | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $100,000 |
| 1992 | Deputation | 3 | Julie Krone | Claude R. McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III | 1-1/16 | 1:44.00 | $100,000 |
| 1991 | Richards Lass | 3 | Jorge F. Chavez | Alfredo Callejas | Robert M. Perez | 1-1/16 | 1:42.00 | $100,000 |
| 1990 | McKilts | 3 | Joe Rocco | W. Meredith Bailes | DanDar Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $100,000 |
| 1989 | Beware of the Cat | 3 | Eddie Maple | Lazaro S. Barrera | Ryehill Farm | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $100,000 |
| 1988 | Oh My Pride | 3 | Jose A. Santos | Michael J. Moran | Ivy Dell Stud | 1-1/8 | 1:51.00 | $100,000 |
| 1987 | Angelina County | 3 | Mario G. Pino | J. William Boniface | Carey K. Miller | 1-1/8 | 1:50.00 | $100,000 |
| 1986 | Smart n Quick | 3 | Albert Delgado | Katharine M. Voss | J. B. Merryman | 1-1/8 | 1:51.00 | $100,000 |
See also
References
- ^ Maryland Million 2008, October 4, Laurel Park, Official Souvenir Guide for 23rd Running, page 4 and 5.