Class: | Listed |
Horse Race: | La Jolla Handicap |
Location: | Del Mar Racetrack Del Mar, California |
Inaugurated: | 1937 |
Race Type: | Thoroughbred – flat racing |
Website: | Del Mar |
Distance: | miles |
Surface: | Turf |
Track: | left-handed |
Qualification: | Three-year-olds |
Weight: | Handicap |
Purse: | $150,000 (2021) |
The La Jolla Handicap is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds over a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on the turf scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.
The event is named for the city of La Jolla, California, which is not far from Del Mar.
The event was inaugurated on July 11, 1937, as an event for three-year-olds and older and was won by the five-year-old mare Topsy Omar by the shortest of margins defeating the favorite Grey Count in a time of 1:45. The event was not run in 1939 but moved to early February 1940 to Santa Anita as a seven furlong event for four-year-olds and older on the turf. The champion Seabiscuit resumed in this event after a long layoff carrying 128 pounds after injury and was placed third to Heelfly. Later in the year the event was run at Del Mar at the set distance of one mile.
The event was idle during 1942 - 1944 due to World War II, resuming in 1945 as a three-year-olds and older California bred handicap.
In 1950 the event's conditions were set for three-year-olds at the distance.[1]
In 1973 the event was classified as Grade III[1] and in 1975 was moved to the turf track and has been run since then on that surface.[2] In 1987 the event's distance was extended from one mile to miles.[2] From 2004 to 2013 the event was run as a Grade II.[1]
In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.[3]
The event's position in the racing calendar at Del Mar has led to the race being a preparatory race for the Del Mar Derby which is scheduled usually several weeks later.
The event has been split into division four times, the last being in 1982.[4]
Two fillies or mares have won this event. The inaugural running in 1937 and Henpecker in 1948 when the event was restricted to three-year-old fillies.
Speed record:
Margins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
La Jolla Handicap - Del Mar Derby double:
Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Del Mar - La Jolla Handicap | ||||||||||||||||
align=center | 2023 | Stay Hot | align=center | 3 | Antonio Fresu | Peter Eurton | Burns Racing, Exline-Border Racing, SAF Racing, The Estate of Brereton C. Jones & William D. Hudock | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.98 | align=center | $100,000 | align=center | Listed | [5] |
align=center | 2023 | align=center | 3 | Juan Hernandez | Leonard Powell | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:44.20 | align=center | $151,500 | align=center | III | [6] | |
align=center | 2022 | Cabo Spirit | align=center | 3 | Joe Bravo | Kretz Racing | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.28 | align=center | $150,500 | align=center | III | [7] | |
align=center | 2021 | ₫Zoffarelli (IRE) | align=center | 3 | Drayden Van Dyke | Jeff Mullins | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.27 | align=center | $150,500 | align=center | III | [8] |
align=center | 2020 | Smooth Like Strait | align=center | 3 | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Cannon Thoroughbreds | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.29 | align=center | $126,500 | align=center | III | [9] |
align=center | 2019 | Kingly | align=center | 3 | Mario Gutierrez | Bob Baffert | Clearview Stables, RAC 04 Racing & Michael Meegan | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:39.95 | align=center | $151,053 | align=center | III | [10] |
align=center | 2018 | align=center | 3 | Flavien Prat | Jeff Mullins | Red Baron's Barn & Rancho Temescal | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.93 | align=center | $150,345 | align=center | III | [11] | |
align=center | 2017 | Sharp Samurai | align=center | 3 | Gary L. Stevens | Mark Glatt | Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal & Mark Glatt | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.51 | align=center | $151,035 | align=center | III | [12] |
align=center | 2016 | Free Rose | align=center | 3 | Joseph Talamo | Richard Baltas | Abbondanza Racing | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.73 | align=center | $151,275 | align=center | III | [13] |
align=center | 2015 | Prospect Park | align=center | 3 | Kent J. Desormeaux | Clifford W. Sise Jr. | Pam & Martin Wygod | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.54 | align=center | $151,000 | align=center | III | [14] |
align=center | 2014 | Enterprising | align=center | 3 | Mike E. Smith | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.31 | align=center | $150,250 | align=center | III | [15] |
align=center | 2013 | Dice Flavor | align=center | 3 | Garrett K. Gomez | Patrick Gallagher | Oda Racing Stable & US Equine | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:39.82 | align=center | $151,000 | align=center | II | [16] |
align=center | 2012 | Old Time Hockey | align=center | 3 | Joseph Talamo | Thomas F. Proctor | Glen Hill Farm | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.55 | align=center | $147,000 | align=center | II | [17] |
align=center | 2011 | Burns | align=center | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Barry Abrams | Madeline Auerbach & Alfred Pais | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.36 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [18] |
align=center | 2010 | Sidney's Candy | align=center | 3 | Joel Rosario | John W. Sadler | Craig Family Trust | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:39.52 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [19] |
align=center | 2009 | Meteore | align=center | 3 | Alex O. Solis | Richard E. Mandella | Wertheimer et Frère | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.82 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [20] |
align=center | 2008 | Sky Cape | align=center | 3 | Joel Rosario | Kristin Mulhall | Visionary Racing & Steve Taub | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.92 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [21] |
align=center | 2007 | † Worldly (GB) | align=center | 3 | Michael Baze | Ben D. A. Cecil | Christopher Wright | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.57 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [22] |
align=center | 2006 | A. P. Warrior | align=center | 3 | David R. Flores | John Shirreffs | Stan E. Fulton | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.71 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [23] |
align=center | 2005 | Willow O Wisp | align=center | 3 | Garrett K. Gomez | Vladimir Cerin | Robert A. Alexander | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.45 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [24] |
align=center | 2004 | Blackdoun (FR) | align=center | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Julio C. Canani | Marsha Naify & Woodside Farms | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.03 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | II | [25] |
align=center | 2003 | Singletary | align=center | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Don Chatlos | Little Red Feather Racing | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:40.39 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | III | [26] |
align=center | 2002 | Inesperado (FR) | align=center | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Robert J. Frankel | 3 Plus U Stable | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:43.92 | align=center | $147,000 | align=center | III | [27] |
align=center | 2001 | Marine (GB) | align=center | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Robert J. Frankel | Juddmonte Farms | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.72 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | III | [28] |
align=center | 2000 | Purely Cozzene | align=center | 3 | David R. Flores | Bob Baffert | Ed & Natalie Friendly | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.50 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | III | [29] |
align=center | 1999 | Eagleton | align=center | 3 | Isaias D. Enriquez | Kevin Lewis | Dennis E. Weir | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.89 | align=center | $150,000 | align=center | III | [30] |
align=center | 1998 | Ladies Din | align=center | 3 | Gary L. Stevens | Julio C. Canani | Terrence J. Lanni, Bernard Schiappa & Mike Sloan | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.94 | align=center | $136,350 | align=center | III | [31] |
align=center | 1997 | Fantastic Fellow | align=center | 3 | Alex O. Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | The Thoroughbred Corporation | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:43.43 | align=center | $135,450 | align=center | III | [32] |
align=center | 1996 | Ambivalent | align=center | 3 | René R. Douglas | J. Michael Orman | Ted C. Ford | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:43.34 | align=center | $132,850 | align=center | III | [33] |
align=center | 1995 | Pétionville | align=center | 3 | Corey Nakatani | Randy K. Bradshaw | Everest Stables | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:44.26 | align=center | $130,850 | align=center | III | [34] |
align=center | 1994 | align=center | 3 | Chris Antley | Ian P. D. Jory | Marvin Malmuth | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.38 | align=center | $107,800 | align=center | III | [35] | |
align=center | 1993 | Manny's Prospect | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | Michael R. Smith | Clover Creek Ranch | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.12 | align=center | $109,700 | align=center | III | [36] |
align=center | 1992 | Blacksburg | align=center | 3 | Kent J. Desormeaux | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.60 | align=center | $109,700 | align=center | III | [37] |
align=center | 1991 | Track Monarch | align=center | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Darrell Vienna | David S. Milch | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.91 | align=center | $106,400 | align=center | III | [38] |
align=center | 1990 | Tight Spot | align=center | 3 | Ron McAnally | Anderson, VHW Stable, et al. | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.80 | align=center | $107,600 | align=center | III | [39] | |
align=center | 1989 | River Master | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | Cardiff Stud, Red Baron's Barn & Timestable | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.60 | align=center | $110,100 | align=center | III | [40] | |
align=center | 1988 | Perfecting | align=center | 3 | Gary L. Stevens | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:41.60 | align=center | $109,800 | align=center | III | [41] |
align=center | 1987 | The Medic | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | Gary F. Jones | Dr. E. Giammarino | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:42.20 | align=center | $100,000 | align=center | III | [42] |
La Jolla Mile Handicap | ||||||||||||||||
align=center | 1986 | Vernon Castle | align=center | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | John Sullivan | Allen E. Paulson | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.20 | align=center | $105,600 | align=center | III | [43] |
align=center | 1985 | Floating Reserve | align=center | 3 | Pat Valenzuela | Joseph Manzi | Robert E. Hibbert | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:34.60 | align=center | $98,300 | align=center | III | [44] |
align=center | 1984 | Tights | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | Laz Barrera | Mill House Stable | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.60 | align=center | $101,000 | align=center | III | [45] |
align=center | 1983 | Tanks Brigade | align=center | 3 | Eddie Delahoussaye | Joseph Manzi | Lee, Manzi & Ozer | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $83,900 | align=center | III | [46] |
align=center rowspan=2 | 1982 | Hugabay | align=center | 3 | Kenneth D. Black | Jesse C. Newsom | Melvin Ross | align=center rowspan=2 | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.60 | align=center | $55,550 | align=center rowspan=2 | III | [47] |
Take the Floor | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | John Gosden | Jason & Scott Beck | align=center | 1:35.60 | align=center | $55,550 | [48] | ||||||
La Jolla Mile Stakes | ||||||||||||||||
align=center | 1981 | Minnesota Chief | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | Leonard Dorfman | Larkin & Stames | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.20 | align=center | $67,950 | align=center | III | [49] |
align=center | 1980 | Aristocratical | align=center | 3 | Chris McCarron | Edwin J. Gregson | Leone J. Peters | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.20 | align=center | $55,350 | align=center | III | [50] |
align=center | 1979 | Relaunch | align=center | 3 | Laffit Pincay Jr. | John H. Adams | Glen Hill Farm | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $43,600 | align=center | III | [51] |
align=center | 1978 | Singular | align=center | 3 | Darrel G. McHargue | Edwin J. Gregson | Jan Siegel | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $38,900 | align=center | III | [52] |
align=center | 1977 | Stone Point | align=center | 3 | Marco Castaneda | Charles E. Whittingham | Howard B. Keck | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $32,350 | align=center | III | [53] |
align=center | 1976 | align=center | 3 | Donald R. Pierce | Roger E. Clapp | Connie M. Ring | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $32,900 | align=center | III | [54] | |
align=center | 1975 | Larrikin | align=center | 3 | Donald R. Pierce | Farrell W. Jones | Joseph Morjoseph | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.00 | align=center | $28,100 | align=center | III | [55] |
align=center | 1974 | Lightning Mandate | align=center | 3 | Álvaro Pineda | Farrell W. Jones | Farrell W. Jones & Mrs. Norman Z. McLeod | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:34.40 | align=center | $27,050 | align=center | III | [56] |
align=center | 1973 | Groshawk | align=center | 3 | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Mr. & Mrs. Quinn Martin | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:34.20 | align=center | $27,550 | align=center | III | [57] |
align=center | 1972 | Solar Salute | align=center | 3 | William Mahorney | Louis Glauberg | Mr. & Mrs. John J. Elmore | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:34.40 | align=center | $26,800 | [58] | ||
align=center rowspan=2 | 1971 | Petes Ruler | align=center | 3 | William Mahorney | Henry E. Moreno | Jules Biharile | align=center rowspan=2 | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.20 | align=center | $16,625 | align=center rowspan=2 | [59] | |
Great Career | align=center | 3 | Jerry Lambert | Farrell W. Jones | Mr. & Mrs. John C. Mabee | align=center | 1:35.60 | align=center | $16,625 | [60] | ||||||
align=center | 1970 | Sugar Loaf | align=center | 3 | Fernando Toro | Dale K. Landers | Mrs. K. Dudley Malloy | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:34.40 | align=center | $22,400 | [61] | ||
align=center | 1969 | Eagle Fly | align=center | 3 | Merlin Volzke | William B. Finnegan | Jack Schwabacher | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.20 | align=center | $19,025 | [62] | ||
align=center | 1968 | Baffle | align=center | 3 | Bill Hartack | Johnny Longden | Frank M. McMahon | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $17,150 | [63] | ||
align=center | 1967 | Jungle Road | align=center | 3 | Jack Robinson[64] | Johnny Longden | Frank M. McMahon | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:34.60 | align=center | $19,525 | [65] | ||
align=center | 1966 | Embassy | align=center | 3 | Robert L. Menell[66] | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $16,625 | [67] | ||
align=center rowspan=2 | 1965 | Mr. Payne | align=center | 3 | Jerry Lambert | Michael E. Millerick | Klipstein Stable | align=center rowspan=2 | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $13,600 | align=center rowspan=2 | [68] | |
Hoist Bar | align=center | 3 | Bill Hartack | Noble Threewitt | Ben Canter | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $13,600 | [69] | ||||||
align=center | 1964 | Royal Eiffel | align=center | 3 | Jerry Lambert | Michael E. Millerick | Mr. & Mrs. Harry S. Hart | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $16,450 | [70] | ||
align=center rowspan=2 | 1963 | Top Light | align=center | 3 | Jackie Leonard | Charles A. Comiskey | Robert S. LeSage | align=center rowspan=2 | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.20 | align=center | $13,600 | align=center rowspan=2 | [71] | |
Big Raff | align=center | 3 | Rudy Campas | John H. Adams | Ralph Lowe | align=center | 1:35.80 | align=center | $13,600 | [72] | ||||||
align=center | 1962 | Testum | align=center | 3 | Dean C. Hall | Farrell W. Jones | Schilz & Anderson | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $16,025 | [73] | ||
align=center | 1961 | Apple | align=center | 3 | Emile Ohayon | Joseph S. Dunn | Howard B. Keck | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.20 | align=center | $16,575 | [74] | ||
align=center | 1960 | Our Rulla | align=center | 3 | Johnny Longden | Fred Houghton | Mrs. John D. Hertz | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.00 | align=center | $16,550 | [75] | ||
align=center | 1959 | King Ara | align=center | 3 | Donald R. Pierce | Richard L. Crosby | Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Crosby | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $16,075 | [76] | ||
align=center | 1958 | Sir Ruler | align=center | 3 | George Taniguchi | Joseph S. Dunn | Howard B. Keck & Claiborne Farm | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.60 | align=center | $16,175 | [77] | ||
La Jolla Handicap | ||||||||||||||||
align=center | 1957 | No Bumps | align=center | 3 | Warren Ferguson | Victor Cowdell | Harry James & Betty Grable James | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.80 | align=center | $16,500 | [78] | ||
align=center | 1956 | Blen Host | align=center | 3 | Ralph Neves | Bob R. Roberts | Gazelle Stable | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.00 | align=center | $16,525 | [79] | ||
align=center | 1955 | Hillary | align=center | 3 | Gordon Glisson | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:35.40 | align=center | $11,375 | [80] | ||||
align=center | 1954 | Leterna | align=center | 3 | William Harmatz | Keith L. Stucki | Triple K Stable | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.00 | align=center | $11,150 | [81] | ||
align=center | 1953 | Threesome | align=center | 3 | Joseph Phillippi | J. Thomas Taylor | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.40 | align=center | $11,250 | [82] | |||
align=center | 1952 | Arroz | align=center | 3 | Mrs. Gordon Guiberson | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.40 | align=center | $11,375 | [83] | ||||
align=center | 1951 | Oats | align=center | 3 | Gordon Glisson | W. H. Tyree | J. A. Lyons | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.80 | align=center | $11,150 | [84] | ||
align=center | 1950 | § Blue Reading | align=center | 3 | Billy Pearson | Mr. & Mrs. Clement L. Hirsch | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.00 | align=center | $11,525 | [85] | |||
align=center | 1949 | Dinner Gong | align=center | 4 | Ralph Neves | Abraham Hirschberg | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:36.00 | align=center | $11,225 | 3YO & older | [86] | ||
align=center | 1948 | ƒ Henpecker | align=center | 3 | John Gilbert | William Molter | Mrs. Harry Curland | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.80 | align=center | $10,950 | [87] | ||
align=center | 1947 | Handlebars | align=center | 3 | Lester Balaski | Charles Irby | Mrs. R. F. Black | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:38.40 | align=center | $8,150 | [88] | ||
align=center | 1946 | § First To Fight | align=center | 5 | Hubert Trent | L. J. Montgomery | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.40 | align=center | $8,280 | [89] | |||
align=center | 1945 | Gold Boom | align=center | 4 | Francis Zehr | Robert R. Tilden | Sunland Stable | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.60 | align=center | $5,585 | [90] | ||
1942 - 1944 | Race not held | |||||||||||||||
align=center | 1941 | Vain Grove | align=center | 4 | Charles T. Leavitt | G. W. Lawless | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.80 | align=center | $2,500 | [91] | |||
align=center | 1940 | Justice M. | align=center | 3 | Harry M. Unna | Harry M. Unna | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.20 | align=center | $2,170 | August[92] | |||
align=left colspan=11 | At Santa Anita racetrack | |||||||||||||||
align=center | 1940 | Heelfly | align=center | 6 | George Woolf | Sylvester E. Veitch | Circle S. Stable | align=center | 7 furlongs | align=center | 1:23.00 | align=center | $2,000 | February[93] | ||
align=center | 1939 | Race moved to 9 February 1940 at Santa Anita Racetrack | ||||||||||||||
align=left colspan=11 | At Del Mar racetrack | |||||||||||||||
align=center | 1938 | Dogaway | align=center | 4 | Eddie Yager | Robert Riskin | align=center | 1 mile | align=center | 1:37.20 | align=center | $2,210 | 3YO & older | [94] | ||
align=center | 1937 | ƒ Topsy Omar | align=center | 5 | Tim Sena | Cecil Wilhelm | Mrs. Theresa Loeff | align=center | miles | align=center | 1:45.40 | align=center | $1,680 | 3YO & older | [95] |