Horse race
The Affirmed Stakes is a Listed American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses over a distance of 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles on the dirt held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in late-June. The race currently offers a purse of $100,000.
History
The inaugural running of the event was on 30 June 1979 at Hollywood Park Racetrack as the Silver Screen Handicap at a distance of 1+ 1 ⁄8 miles and was won by the promising three year old Valdez who won by 10 lengths,[ 1] which continues to be the longest winning margin in the event.[ 2]
The event inherited the grading classification which was Grade II from the Argonaut Handicap which some sources believe is the predecessor to the event.[ 2] However, the former Hollywood Park Media Guide management organization[ 3] and the current Santa Anita management consider the event to have no connection.
In 1993 the race was renamed to the Affirmed Handicap in honor of the 1978 U.S. Triple Crown champion, Affirmed .[ 2]
In 1995 the distance of the event was decreased to 1+ 1 ⁄16 miles.[ 2]
After Hollywood Park Racetrack was closed in 2013 the race was moved to Santa Anita Park.[ 4]
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States , Santa Anita closed their track and the event was cancelled[ 5]
In 2023 the American Graded Stakes Committee downgraded the event to a Listed race.[ 6]
Records
Speed record:
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles – 1:40.83 General Challenge (1999)
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles – 1:46.80 Journey At Sea (1982)
Largest margin of victory:
10 lengths – Valdez (1979)
Most wins by a jockey :
Most wins by a trainer :
7 – Bob Baffert (1999, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2024)
Most wins by an owner:
Winners
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Purse
Grade
Ref
At Santa Anita Park – Affirmed Stakes
2024
Parenting
Juan J. Hernandez
Bob Baffert
Gandharvi
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.57
$100,000
Listed
[ 7]
2023
Geaux Rocket Ride
Ramon Vazquez
Richard Mandella
Pin Oak Stud
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.75
$100,000
Listed
[ 8]
2022
Hopper
Abel Cedillo
Sean McCarthy
Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables & SF Racing
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.83
$98,000
III
[ 9]
2021
The Chosen Vron
Umberto Rispoli
J. Eric Kruljac
J. Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.01
$100,000
III
[ 10]
2020
Race not held
2019
Mucho Gusto
Joseph Talamo
Bob Baffert
Michael Lund Petersen
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.15
$100,351
III
[ 11]
2018
Draft Pick
Joseph Talamo
Peter Eurton
C R K Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.34
$100,345
III
[ 12]
2017
Battle of Midway
Flavien Prat
Jerry Hollendorfer
Don Alberto Stable & WinStar Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.25
$98,000
III
[ 13]
2016
Dalmore
Kent J. Desormeaux
J. Keith Desormeaux
Big Chief Racing, Rocker O Ranch & J. Keith Desormeaux
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:40.84
$100,000
III
[ 14]
2015
Gimme Da Lute
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.40
$98,000
III
[ 15]
2014
Can the Man
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Kaleem Shah
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.27
$100,750
III
[ 16]
At Hollywood Park – Affirmed Handicap
2013
Tiz a Minister
Corey Nakatani
Paul G. Aguirre
S A Y Racing
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:45.79
$100,750
III
[ 17]
2012
Nonios
Martin A. Pedroza
Jerry Hollendorfer
Green B. Smith Jr.
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.99
$100,000
III
[ 18]
2011
Coil
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.88
$100,000
III
[ 19]
2010
Golden Itiz
Tyler Baze
Ronald W. Ellis
Jay Em Ess Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.84
$100,000
III
[ 20]
2009
Grazen
Rafael Bejarano
Mike R. Mitchell
Nicholas B. Alexander
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.40
$100,000
III
[ 21]
2008
Two Step Salsa
Martin A. Pedroza
Julio C. Canani
Everest Stables
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.57
$107,100
III
[ 22]
2007
Desert Code
Richard Migliore
David E. Hofmans
Tarabilla Farms
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:44.21
$106,600
III
[ 23]
2006
Point Determined
Victor Espinoza
Bob Baffert
Robert B. & Beverly J. Lewis Trust
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.55
$100,000
III
[ 24]
2005
Indian Ocean
Jon Court
Jay M. Robbins
Mercedes Stable
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.53
$102,998
III
[ 25]
2004
Boomzeeboom
Victor Espinoza
Vladimir Cerin
John Karubian, Alan Landsburg & Larry Postaer
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.11
$110,200
III
[ 26]
2003
Eye of the Tiger
Alex O. Solis
Jerry Hollendorfer
John D. Gunther
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.30
$103,096
III
[ 27]
2002
Came Home
Chris McCarron
J. Paco Gonzalez
William S. Farish III, John B. Goodman, John Toffan & Trudy McCaffery
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.99
$107,500
III
[ 28]
2001
Until Sundown
Gary L. Stevens
Laura de Seroux
San Gabriel Investments & Sidney L. Port Trust
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.10
$100,000
III
[ 29]
2000
Tiznow
Victor Espinoza
Jay M. Robbins
Michael Cooper & Cecilia Straub-Rubens
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.35
$134,250
III
[ 30]
1999
General Challenge
David R. Flores
Bob Baffert
Golden Eagle Farm
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:40.83
$125,000
III
[ 31]
1998
Old Trieste
Chris McCarron
Mike Puype
Gary Bisantz
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:41.80
$101,822
III
[ 32]
1997
Deputy Commander
Corey Nakatani
Wallace Dollase
Horizon Stable, Michael Jarvis, Mandysland Farm, et al.
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.80
$102,500
III
[ 33]
1996
Hesabull
Eddie Delahoussaye
Mike Chambers
Three Sisters Thoroughbreds
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:43.20
$101,750
III
[ 34]
1995
Mr Purple
Corey Nakatani
Ron McAnally
Alex G. Campbell Jr.
1+ 1 ⁄16 miles
1:42.20
$133,300
III
[ 35]
1994
R Friar Tuck
Jerry D. Bailey
Ian P. D. Jory
S. David Plummer
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.00
$163,600
III
[ 36]
1993
Codified
Gary L. Stevens
David E. Hofmans
Ridder Thoroughbred Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.80
$161,600
III
[ 37]
Silver Screen Handicap
1992
Natural Nine
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Lewis A. Cenicola
Southern Nevada Racing Stables
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.40
$163,000
III
[ 38]
1991
Compelling Sound
Gary L. Stevens
Charles E. Whittingham
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Moss
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.80
$158,800
III
[ 39]
1990
Stalwart Charger
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Alcides Pico Perdomo
Sidney Factor
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.40
$158,600
III
[ 40]
1989
Raise a Stanza
Corey Black
Jay M. Robbins
Jack Kent Cooke
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.40
$169,700
II
[ 41]
1988
Iz a Saros
Aaron Gryder
Joseph Manzi
Green Thumb Farm Stable
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:49.00
$163,400
II
[ 42]
1987
Candi's Gold
Gary L. Stevens
Edwin J. Gregson
Royal Lines (Lessee)
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.60
$160,500
II
[ 43]
1986
ƒ Melair
Pat Valenzuela
John W. Sadler
Marianne Millard & Bea Rous
1 mile
1:32.80
$400,000
II
[ 44]
1985
Pancho Villa
Laffit Pincay Jr.
D. Wayne Lukas
D. Wayne Lukas & Lloyd R. French, Jr.
1 mile
1:33.80
$109,500
II
[ 45]
1984
Tights
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Laz Barrera
Mill House
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.60
$80,600
II
[ 46]
1983
My Habitony
Donald R. Pierce
Arthur J. Lerille Jr.
Olga J. Pejsa
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.60
$81,000
II
[ 47]
1982
Journey At Sea
Chris McCarron
Leland R. Fenstermaker
Fred W. Hooper
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:46.80
$83,350
II
[ 48]
1981
Stancharry
Pat Valenzuela
Melvin F. Stute
Harry Cole, Stanley Freeman & Charles Gold
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:51.00
$80,900
II
[ 49]
1980
Score Twenty Four
Darrel G. McHargue
James Jordan
Thomas Capehart, et al.
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:48.20
$64,200
II
[ 50]
1979
Valdez
Laffit Pincay Jr.
Laz Barrera
Aaron & Marie Jones
1+ 1 ⁄8 miles
1:47.40
$64,500
II
[ 1]
Legend:
All Weather Track
Dirt
Notes:
ƒ Filly or Mare
See also
References
^ a b Abbott, Bion (7 July 1979). "Valdez is Picture of Health in Winning by 10 Lengths (1979 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 30 June 1979 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 60. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ a b c d Equibase.com (2021). "Affirmed Stakes (Gr. 3)" . www.equibase.com . Retrieved 11 June 2021 .
^ "2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide" . Hollywood Park. 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2021 .
^ "AFFIRMED HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS" . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021 .
^ Crosby, Claire; King, Byron (27 March 2020). "Health Department Order Suspends Racing at Santa Anita" . BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 21 May 2020 .
^ "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 .
^ "2023 Affirmed Stakes Listed - (race 8)" . Equibase . 9 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024 .
^ "2023 Affirmed Stakes Listed - (race 8)" . Equibase . Retrieved 5 June 2023 .
^ "2022 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022 .
^ "2021 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)" . Equibase . 13 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021 .
^ "2019 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 16 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2018 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 10 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2017 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4)" . Equibase . 24 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2016 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5)" . Equibase . 2 July 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2015 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3)" . Equibase . 7 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2014 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9)" . Equibase . 7 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2013 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 2 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2012 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 3 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2011 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 11 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2010 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 19 June 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2009 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)" . Equibase . 20 June 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2008 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 15 June 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2007 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 17 June 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2006 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4)" . Equibase . 17 June 2006. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2005 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)" . Equibase . 18 June 2005. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2004 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 19 June 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2003 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 3)" . Equibase . 22 June 2003. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2002 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 23 June 2002. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2001 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 17 June 2001. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "2000 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 1 July 2000. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1999 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 26 June 1999. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1998 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 21 June 1998. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1997 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9)" . Equibase . 15 June 1997. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1996 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 30 June 1996. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1995 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 2 July 1995. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1994 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6)" . Equibase . 2 July 1994. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1993 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7)" . Equibase . 3 July 1993. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1992 Silver Screen Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 5 July 1992. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ "1991 Silver Screen Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8)" . Equibase . 16 June 1991. Retrieved 8 June 2021 .
^ Mieszerski, Bob (2 July 1990). "Stalwart Charger Lights Up Silver Screen (1990 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 1 July 1990 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 63. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ "Raise a Stanza Takes Silver Screen (1989 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1989 )" . The Courier-Journal . The Associated Press . 4 July 1989. p. 38. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ "Iz A Saros holds on to win Silver Screen (1988 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1988 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . 4 July 1988. p. 19. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ Christine, Bill (4 July 1987). "Candi's Gold Strikes It Rich In Silver Screen (1987 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1987 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 34. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ Christine, Bob (6 July 1986). "Melair Passes Screen Test at Hollywood Park, with Snow Chief 11 Lengths Out (1986 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 5 July 1986 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 39. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ Christine, Bill (30 June 1985). "Pancho Villa takes Silver Screen Handicap (1985 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 29 June 1985 )" . San Bernardino County Sun . The Associated Press . p. 66. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ "Tights is Newest Star After Silver Screen Win (1984 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 30 June 1984 )" . Los Angeles Times . 1 July 1984. p. 68. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ "For My Habitony Wait Was Worth It (1983 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1983 )" . Los Angeles Times . 4 July 1983. p. 68. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ "Breaks Stakes Record: Journey at Sea Wins Easily in Silver Screen (1982 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 26 June 1982 )" . Los Angeles Times . 27 June 1982. p. 50. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ Abbott, Bion (6 July 1981). "Stancharry Star of Silver Screen (1981 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 5 July 1981 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 38. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .
^ Abbott, Bion (7 July 1980). "Plenty of Suspense in Silver Screen; Score Twenty Four Declared Winner After Review Of Photo And Inquiry (1980 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 6 July 1980 )" . Los Angeles Times . p. 34. Retrieved 9 June 2021 .