Blue Hen Stakes Explained

Class:Non-graded Stakes
Horse Race:Blue Hen Stakes
Location:Delaware Park Racetrack
Stanton, Delaware,
United States
Race Type:Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Distance: miles (8.5 furlongs)
Surface:Dirt
Track:left-handed
Qualification:Two-year-old fillies
Weight:Assigned
Purse:$75,000

The Blue Hen Stakes at Delaware Park Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old fillies held annually in early October at Delaware Park Racetrack in Stanton, Delaware. A non-graded stakes event raced on dirt, since 2004 it has been contested at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs).

The Blue Hen is named for the horse breeding term "Blue Hen," meaning a mare who has proved herself exceptional in producing high quality foals, almost regardless of which stallion might be the sire.[1] These sons and daughters would also affect the breed. An example of the highest sort of Blue Hen mare would be La Troienne.

In 1965 and 1971, the race was run in two divisions.

Winners since 2000

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
(F)
Time
2010Summer LaughFernando JaraTodd PletcherEdward P. Evans8.5 F1:46.5
2009Ms VanenzzaJoseph Rocco, Jr.Juan C. VazquezFlorence Patitucci8.5 F1:45.74
2008Bon Jovi GirlJose CaraballoTimothy F. RitcheyTimothy F. Ritchey & Chuck Zacney8.5 F1:46.10
2007Saki To MeAbel Castellano, Jr.Edmond D. GaudetMorris Bailey8.5 F1:48.83
2006Miss GoodnightStewart ElliottTimothy F. RitcheyCJZ Racing Stable8.5 F1:46.63
2005Love LocketChristopher DeCarloTodd A. PletcherMichael Tabor8.5 F1:47.37
2004Buzz SongChristopher DeCarloTodd A. PletcherBonnie & Sy Baskin8.5 F1:45.99
2003Vogue GirlRobby AlbaradoAllen IwinskiStan Stefanski 8 F1:38.81
2002Heirloom DiamondJeremy RoseTimothy F. RitcheyS J B Jr. Stable8 F1:41.79
2001Treasure Coast GemJeremy RoseFrancis CampitelliJames H. McCaul8 F1:39.93
2000Xtra HeatMark T. JohnstonJohn E. Salzman, Sr.K. Taylor/H. Deitchman/J. Salzman6 F1:11.80

Earlier winners

(partial list)

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: "Blue-Hens" - The Best Broodmares in Recent Decades. 2016-01-18. The Racing App. en-US. 2019-04-03.