The American Stakes is a Grade III American thoroughbred horse race for horses age four and older over a distance of one mile on the turf track held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in April. The race currently offers a purse of $100,000.
History
The event was inaugurated on Independence Day in 1938 as the American Handicap, when Bing Crosby's and Lindsay C. Howard's Argentine bred Ligorati set a new track record of 1:50 for the miles feature on the dirt track before a crowd of 60,000 at Hollywood Park Racetrack. The Argentine bred Figonero in 1969 and in 1971 US Horse of the YearAck Ack were able to complete the American Handicap–Hollywood Gold Cup double. The race was not run in 1942 or 1943, due to Hollywood Park being closed. In 1949, the event was held at Santa Anita Park, The event was a Grade II from 1973 to 1987, gaining Grade I status for 1988 and 1989. The event was downgraded to Grade III in 2014. In 2011, the distance was shortened to one mile from nine furlongs. On the closing of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event has been held at Santa Anita Park. ==Records==
Records
Speed record: • 1 mile: 1:32:08 – Johannes (2024) • miles: 1:45.60 – Clever Song (1987) Margins: • 7 lengths - Pink Pigeon (1968) Most wins by a jockey: • 8 - Bill Shoemaker (1954, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981) Most wins by a trainer: • 7 - Charles Whittingham (1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981) Most wins by an owner: • 3 - Charles S. Howard (1939, 1941, 1950) • 3 - Rex C. Ellsworth (1956, 1962, 1963) ==Winners==
Winners
Legend:Notes: † Filly or Mare § Ran as part of an entry ==See also==