American Turf Stakes Explained

Surface:	Turf
Class:	Grade II
Horse Race:	American Turf Stakes
Location:	Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Inaugurated:	1992
Race Type:	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website:	Churchill Downs
Distance:	miles
Track:	Left-handed
Qualification:	Three-year-olds
Weight:	123lbs with allowances
Purse:	$600,000 (2024)
Sponsor:	TwinSpires (2024)

The American Turf Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run over a distance of miles on turf held annually in early May on the Kentucky Derby day meeting at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky during the spring meeting.

History

The event was inaugurated on 2 May 1992 as the fourth race on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby day meeting. The event was won by Senor Tomas who run as a Peter Vestal trained entry with Correntino in a time of 1:43.10.

The event was sponsored by Crown Royal from 1995 to 1998 and more recently by Ram Trucks from 2011 to 2019.^[1]

The event was classified as Grade III in 1998.^[2] The American Graded Stakes Committee upgraded the race to its current Grade II status in 2010.^[1]

The most notable winner of the event is the 2004 winner Kitten's Joy who as a three-year-old went on to finish second in the Breeders' Cup Turf to Better Talk Now and was voted as the U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse. His offspring have won this event three times:^[2] Banned (2011), Divisidero (2015) and Camelot Kitten (2016).

From 2024, the winner of the race will receive a wildcard entry for the Epsom Derby.^[3]

Records

Speed record:

• miles: 1:40.93 - Royal Strand (IRE) (1997)

Margins

• lengths - Banned (2001)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 3 - Mike E. Smith (1992, 1994, 2017)
• 3 - Gary L. Stevens (1995, 1998, 2014)
• 3 - Jerry D. Bailey (1999, 2000, 2004)
• 3 - Garrett K. Gomez (2008, 2010, 2011)
• 3 - Javier Castellano (2005, 2013, 2023)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 3 - Dale L. Romans (2004, 2007, 2012)
• 3 - Chad C. Brown (2013, 2016, 2019)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 - Thomas Carey (1992, 1994)
• 2 - Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey (2008, 2011)
• 2 - Glen Hill Farm (2011, 2014)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
align=center	2024	Trikari	Umberto Rispoli	H. Graham Motion	Amerman Racing	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.59	align=center	$596,560	align=center	II	^[4]
align=center	2023	Webslinger	Javier Castellano	Mark E. Casse	D. J. Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.54	align=center	$500,000	align=center	II	^[5]
align=center	2022	Stolen Base	Flavien Prat	Michael J. Maker	Three Diamonds Farm & Deuce Greathouse	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.57	align=center	$500,000	align=center	II	^[6]
align=center	2021	Du Jour	Flavien Prat	Bob Baffert	Debbie Lanni & Natalie J. Baffert	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.49	align=center	$500,000	align=center	II	^[7]
align=center	2020	Fancy Liquor	Florent Geroux	Michael J. Maker	SkyChai Racing & Sand Dollar Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.83	align=center	$500,000	align=center	II	^[8]
align=center	2019	Digital Age (IRE)	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Chad C. Brown	Klaravich Stables	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.63	align=center	$400,000	align=center	II	^[9]
align=center	2018	Maraud	John R. Velazquez	Todd A. Pletcher	Treadway Racing Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.52	align=center	$300,000	align=center	II	^[10]
align=center	2017	Arklow	Mike E. Smith	Brad H. Cox	Donegal Racing	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.45	align=center	$300,000	align=center	II	^[11]
align=center	2016	Camelot Kitten	Irad Ortiz Jr.	Chad C. Brown	Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.13	align=center	$300,000	align=center	II	^[12]
align=center	2015	Divisidero		William B. Bradley	Gunpowder Farms	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.59	align=center	$250,000	align=center	II	^[13]
align=center	2014	Global View	Gary L. Stevens		Glen Hill Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.65	align=center	$294,500	align=center	II	^[14]
align=center	2013	Noble Tune	Javier Castellano	Chad C. Brown	Martin S. Schwartz & Dell Ridge Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.63	align=center	$234,200	align=center	II	^[15]
align=center	2012	Silver Max	Rafael Bejarano	Dale L. Romans	Mark Bacon & Dana Wells	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.10	align=center	$238,200	align=center	II	^[16]
align=center	2011	Banned	Garrett K. Gomez	Thomas F. Proctor	Glen Hill Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.05	align=center	$237,400	align=center	II	^[17]
align=center	2010	Doubles Partner	Garrett K. Gomez	Todd A. Pletcher	WinStar Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.05	align=center	$200,550	align=center	II	^[18]
align=center	2009	Orthodox	Jon Court	John Glenney	Kim and John Glenney	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.37	align=center	$170,400	align=center	III	^[19]
align=center	2008	Tizdejavu	Garrett K. Gomez	Gregory Fox	Michael L Cooper & Pamela C. Ziebarth	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.14	align=center	$181,950	align=center	III	^[20]
align=center	2007	Duveen	Mark Guidry	Dale L. Romans	Andrew Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.03	align=center	$188,700	align=center	III	^[21]
align=center	2006	Stream Cat	Julien R. Leparoux	Patrick L. Biancone	Fab Oak Stable, Robert M. Hurley & John F. Goldthorp	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.27	align=center	$114,300	align=center	III	^[22]
align=center	2005	Rey de Cafe	Javier Castellano		G. Watts Humphrey Jr.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.00	align=center	$114,700	align=center	III	^[23]
align=center	2004	Kitten's Joy	Jerry D. Bailey	Dale L. Romans	Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.21	align=center	$113,800	align=center	III	^[24]
align=center	2003	Senor Swinger	Pat Day	Bob Baffert	Robert B. & Beverly Lewis	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.38	align=center	$121,400	align=center	III	^[25]
align=center	2002	Legislator	Edgar S. Prado	H. James Bond	Judy E. Turetsky	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.43	align=center	$116,300	align=center	III	^[26]
align=center	2001	Strategic Partner	John R. Velazquez	Mark A. Hennig	Lee Lewis	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.89	align=center	$117,900	align=center	III	^[27]
align=center	2000	King Cugat	Jerry D. Bailey	William I. Mott	Centennial Farms	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.25	align=center	$118,100	align=center	III	^[28]
align=center	1999	Air Rocket	Jerry D. Bailey	Robert E. Holthus	Frank Fletcher & Dan Jones	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.65	align=center	$115,400	align=center	III	^[29]
align=center	1998	Dernier Croise (FR)	Gary L. Stevens	Thomas M. Amoss	Richard Colton Jr.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.28	align=center	$126,000	align=center	III	^[30]
align=center	1997	Royal Strand (IRE)	Pat Day	W. Elliott Walden	James H. Stone	align=center	miles	align=center	1:40.93	align=center	$115,800	align=center	Listed	^[31]
align=center	1996	Broadway Beau	Chris McCarron	W. Elliott Walden	George De Benedicty & Dr. Brian Davidson	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.87	align=center	$117,500	align=center	Listed	^[32]
align=center	1995		Gary L. Stevens	Thomas M. Amoss	Robert Sabinske	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.07	align=center	$118,000	align=center	Listed	^[33]
align=center	1994	Jaggery John	Mike E. Smith	Peter M. Vestal	Thomas M. Carey	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.05	align=center	$86,850	align=center	Listed	^[34]
align=center	1993	† Desert Waves	Shane Sellers	James E. Day	Sam Son Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.64	align=center	$56,350	align=center	Listed	^[35]
align=center	1992	§ Senor Tomas	Mike E. Smith	Peter M. Vestal	Thomas M. Carey	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.10	align=center	$57,600	align=center	Listed	^[36]

Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
† In the 1993 running Compadre was first past the post but hung in the straight causing interference to the second-place finisher Desert Waves and was disqualified and placed second.

See also

• List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links

• 2019 Churchill Downs Media Guide - $400,000 American Turf

Notes and References

1. Web site: American Turf Stakes Profile . www.equibase.com . 28 August 2020 . 2020 . en.
2. Web site: AMERICAN TURF STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2020 . 28 August 2020.
3. Web site: Huggins . Charlie . Ascot and the Jockey Club link up with Churchill Downs to provide wildcard entries for Kentucky Derby runners . Racing Post . 12 December 2023 . 12 December 2023.
4. Web site: 2024 American Turf S. presented by TwinSpires Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 4 May 2024 . 6 May 2024.
5. Web site: 2023 American Turf S. presented by BMW Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 6 May 2023 . 15 May 2023.
6. Web site: 2022 American Turf S. presented by BMW Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 7 May 2022 . 15 May 2023.
7. Web site: 2021 American Turf S. presented by Derby City Gaming Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 1 May 2021 . 15 May 2023.
8. Web site: 2020 American Turf S. presented by Smithfield Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 September 2020 . 6 September 2020.
9. Web site: 2019 American Turf S. presented by Ram Trucks Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 4 May 2019 . 28 August 2020.
10. Web site: 2018 American Turf S. presented by Ram Trucks Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 5 May 2018 . 28 August 2020.
11. Web site: 2017 American Turf S. Presented by Ram Trucks Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 6 May 2017 . 28 August 2020.
12. Web site: 2016 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 9) . Equibase . 7 May 2016 . 28 August 2020.
13. Web site: 2015 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 6) . Equibase . 2 May 2015 . 28 August 2020.
14. Web site: 2014 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8) . Equibase . 3 May 2014 . 28 August 2020.
15. Web site: 2013 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 3 May 2013 . 28 August 2020.
16. Web site: 2012 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 4 May 2012 . 28 August 2020.
17. Web site: 2011 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 6 May 2011 . 28 August 2020.
18. Web site: 2010 American Turf Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10) . Equibase . 30 April 2010 . 28 August 2020.
19. Web site: 2009 American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10) . Equibase . 1 May 2009 . 28 August 2020.
20. Web site: 2008 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 2 May 2008 . 28 August 2020.
21. Web site: 2007 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 4 May 2007 . 28 August 2020.
22. Web site: 2006 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 5 May 2006 . 28 August 2020.
23. Web site: 2005 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 6 May 2005 . 28 August 2020.
24. Web site: 2004 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 30 April 2004 . 28 August 2020.
25. Web site: 2003 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 2 May 2003 . 28 August 2020.
26. Web site: 2002 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 3 May 2002 . 28 August 2020.
27. Web site: 2001 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 4 May 2001 . 28 August 2020.
28. Web site: 2000 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 May 2000 . 28 August 2020.
29. Web site: 1999 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 30 April 1999 . 28 August 2020.
30. Web site: 1998 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 1 May 1998 . 28 August 2020.
31. Web site: 1997 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Listed - (race 8) . Equibase . 2 May 1997 . 28 August 2020.
32. Web site: 1996 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Listed - (race 8) . Equibase . 3 May 1996 . 28 August 2020.
33. Web site: 1995 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes Listed - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 May 1995 . 28 August 2020.
34. Web site: 1994 American Turf Stakes Listed - (race 3) . Equibase . 7 May 1994 . 28 August 2020.
35. Web site: 1993 American Turf Stakes Listed - (race 3) . Equibase . 1 May 1993 . 28 August 2020.
36. Web site: 1992 American Turf Stakes Listed - (race 4) . Equibase . 2 May 1992 . 28 August 2020.