The Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race open to two-year-horses of either sex that was held annually at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens, Florida from 1972 through 2013.[1]
Inaugurated as the Criterium Stakes, following the December 23, 2007 death of Calder Race Course Hall of Fame trainer Frank Gomez, the race was renamed in his honor.
In 2000, the race became part of the "Summit of Speed" stakes series. In 2013, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee and future U. S. Triple Crown winner Mike Smith rode Yes I'm Lucky to victory in what would turn out to be the final running of the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes. The following year the "Summit of Speed" stakes series was canceled when Calder's racing operations were leased to the Stronach Group, operators of Gulfstream Park, who did not pick up this race when the series resumed in 2015.[2] [3]
The race was run in two divisions in 1958, 1960 and 1963.
Chronology of race names:
Race distances:
Speed record:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Most wins by an owner:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Dist. (F) | Time | Win$ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Yes I'm Lucky | Mike E. Smith | Edward Plesa, Jr. | Trilogy Stable & Laurie Plesa | 5 F | 1:06.35 | $60,000 |
| 2012 | Two Ts At Two B | Eduardo O. Nunez | Kathleen O'Connell | Gilbert Campbell | 5 F | 1:06.56 | $60,000 |
| 2011 | Mel Beach | Orlando Bocachica | Edward Plesa, Jr. | J. Robert Harris III | 5 F | 1:07.01 | $60,000 |
| 2010 | Little Drama | Eibar Coa | David J. Fawkes | Harold L. Queen | 5 F | 1:05.59 | $60,000 |
| 2009 | Jackson Bend | Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. | 6 F | 1:12.19 | $60,000 | ||
| 2008 | Red Nation | Orlando Bocachica | Edward Plesa, Jr. | J. Robert Harris III | 6 F | 1:13.30 | $60,000 |
| 2007 | Big City Man | Elvis Trujillo | Jose M. Pinchin | Mr. T Stables | 6 F | 1:12.14 | $60,000 |
| 2006 | Yesbyjimminy | Abel Castellano, Jr. | Edward Plesa, Jr. | Trilogy Stables | 6 F | 1:11.39 | $60,000 |
| 2005 | Gin Rummy King | Eduardo O. Nunez | David A. Vivian | Dominic Vittese | 6 F | 1:10.67 | $60,000 |
| 2004 | Devil's Disciple | Rosemary Homeister Jr. | Joseph J. Waunsch | John Somers | 5 F | 1:04.88 | $60,000 |
| 2003 | Sir Oscar | Julio Garcia | Manuel J. Azpurua | Oscar Novo | 5 F | 1:05.55 | $60,000 |
| 2002 | Hear No Evil | Abel Castellano, Jr. | James P. Hatchett | Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. | 5 F | 1:06.02 | $60,000 |
| 2001 | Juggernaut | Abel Castellano, Jr. | Larry Pilotti | Siobhan P. Ellison | 5 F | 1:06.79 | $60,000 |
| 2000 | Jacksrbetter | Daniel Coa | Manuel J. Azpurua | Gary Aiken | 5 F | 1:07.08 | $60,000 |
| 1999 | Bally Ho | Rene Douglas | Luis Olivares | Three G Stable | 5 F | 1:06.24 | $30,000 |
| 1998 | B L'S Sweep | Javier Castellano | Larry Pilotti | Monarch Stable, Inc. | 5 F | 1:07.06 | $30,000 |
| 1997 | Don'tcallmeacowboy | Enrique M. Jurado | Steven W. Standridge | Francis W. Lucas | 5 F | 1:07.00 | $30,000 |
| 1996 | Blount Island | Dale Beckner | Emanuel Tortora | James Lewis, Jr. | 5 F | 1:05.40 | $30,000 |
| 1995 | Classic Intuition | Jorge Duarte | Manuel J. Azpurua | S. G. Stable | 5 F | 1:06.80 | $30,000 |
| 1994 | The Frog Man | Pedro Monterrey Jr. | Manuel J. Azpurua | S. G. Stable | 5 F | 1:06.60 | $30,000 |
| 1993 | Air Mike | Eibar Coa | Luis Olivares | Marissa Olivares | 5 F | 1:05.80 | $30,000 |
| 1992 | Thirty Two Slew | Michael Lee | Rene Mendez | Gloria J. Kenny | 5 F | 1:05.64 | $30,000 |
| 1991 | D. J. Cat | Heberto Castillo Jr. | Happy Alter | Alter's Racing Stable, Inc. | 6 F | 1:12.60 | $33,420 |
| 1990 | Franklin Me | Steve Gaffalione | Glenn M. Stanchfield | Diane Eldredge | 6 F | 1:13.00 | $23,430 |
| 1989 | Krikiti | Eduardo O. Nunez | Alberto Paz-Rodriguez | San Stud Gabriel | 6 F | 1:12.80 | $26,700 |
| 1988 | Valid Space | Richard R. Root | Harry T. Mangurian Jr. | 6 F | 1:13.20 | $27,910 | |
| 1987 | Lover's Trust | Wesley A. Ward | Robert M. Triola | Robert M. Triola | 6 F | 1:12.60 | $33,840 |
| 1986 | Rainbow East | Octavio B. Aviles | Newcomb Green | Aronow Stable | 6 F | 1:12.60 | $28,050 |
| 1985 | Kid Colin | Omar Londono | Frank A. Alexander | Barry K. Schwartz | 5 F | 1:06.60 | $33,690 |
| 1984-1 | Cameo King | Santiago Soto | Nick Gianos, Jr. | Nick Gianos, Jr. | 5 F | 1:07.60 | $24,345 |
| 1984-2 | Smile | Gene St. Leon | Frank Gomez | Frances A. Genter Stable | 5 F | 1:07.00 | $24,195 |
| 1983 | Fortunate Prospect | Mary Russ | Carl D. Armbrister | Retreat Stable/Mike N. Sherman | 5 F | 1:06.80 | $17,265 |
| 1982 | El Kaiser | Chuck Baltazar | Larry Lyons | Pony Horse Stable | 5 F | 1:05.00 | $16,380 |
| 1981 | Marshaller | Felix Ferrer | Manuel J. Azpurua | Carlota Stable | 5 F | 1:13.40 | $16,575 |
| 1980 | Silent Stepper | Santiago Soto | Juan A. Sanchez | Mephisto Stable | 6 F | 1:13.00 | $17,190 |
| 1979 | She Can't Miss | Walter Guerra | Frank Gomez | Elcee H. Stable | 6 F | 1:11.20 | $16,575 |
| 1978-1 | Cherry Pop | Ocatavio Vergara | Jose A. Mendez | C & B Stable | 8 F | 1:40.20 | $17,700 |
| 1978-2 | Solo Haina | Octavio B. Aviles | Larry Geiger | Guy H. Burt | 8 F | 1:40.80 | $17,700 |
| 1977 | Galimore | Jesus S. Rodriguez | Jose A. Mendez | Green & Rennert, Inc. | 8 F | 1:38.80 | $25,830 |
| 1976 | Champion du Nord | Miguel A. Rivera | Alfred A. Scotti | Emanuel Mittman | 8 F | 1:38.00 | $26,040 |
| 1975 | Embajador | Carlos Astorga | Leo Sierra | Sol-Gar Stable | 8 F | 1:39.40 | $26,670 |
| 1974 | Famed Diplomat | William Nemeti | Frank J. McManus | R. M. Curtis | 8 F | 1:38.40 | $10,000 |
| 1973 | Friendly Bee | Sam Maple | Michael V. D'Amelio | Susan E. Fiore | 8 F | 1:42.20 | $11,790 |
| 1972 | Farm Time | D. Hidalgo | Sam B. David, Jr. | Albert Ponn | 8 F | 1:42.20 | $9,980 |