The Desi Arnaz Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It was named in honor of the actor, musician, bandleader, comedian and producer, Desi Arnaz. It was originally run as the Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California to honor Moccasin, the only two-year-old filly to be named American Horse of the Year. From 1995 through 1997 the race was run as the Maker's Mark Stakes then reverted to the Moccasin Stakes through 2013. Ownership of the race name was acquired at the end of 2013 when Hollywood Park ceased operations. It was first run at Del Mar in 2014 as the Desi Arnaz Stakes.
Always a race on dirt for two-year-old fillies, the ungraded event is set for the fall of each year. It is currently contested over a distance of six and one-half furlongs and currently offers a purse of $100,000.
Records Speed record: 1:16.20 @ current furlongs: Ifyoucouldseemenow (1990) 1:21.38 @ 7 furlongs: Spring Awakening (2007)
Most wins by a jockey: 3 - Alex Solis (1991, 1996, 1999) 3 - Drayden Van Dyke (2014, 2017, 2018) 3 - Mike E. Smith (2001, 2002, 2020)
Most wins by a trainer: 6 - Bob Baffert (2003, 2004, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - Jan, Mace & Samantha Siegel (1990, 1994)
Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Dist. (furlongs) Time Win$2024Practical Dream2Antonio Fresu Tim YakteenAmestoy, Leslie A., Amestoy, Jr., Pierre Jean and Beasley, Roger K7 f1:24.47$60,0002023Nothing Like You2Juan J. HernandezBob BaffertHunt, Georgia Antley, Giglio, Jeff and Rogitz, John L7 f1:23.03$60,0002022Justique2Victor EspinozaJohn ShirreffsC R K Stable7 f1:23.41$60,0002021Eda2Flavien PratBob BaffertBaoma Corporation7 f1:23.41$60,0002020Astute2Mike E. SmithRichard E. MandellaLNJ Foxwoods6.5 f1:17.28$60,0002019Leucothea2Abel Cedillo Peter L. MillerAltamira Racing Stable, SoCal Racing, Brian McGoldrick6.5 f1:17.42$60,0002018Chasing Yesterday2Drayden Van DykeBob BaffertSummer Wind Equine (Laura Jane Lyon)7 f1:23.81$60,0002017Dream Tree2Drayden Van DykeBob BaffertPhoenix Thoroughbred III (Amer Abdulaziz)7 f1:23.69$60,0002016 Race not held2015Lucky Folie2Gary StevensRichard E. MandellaAlain & Gérard Wertheimer7 f1:23.86 $60,0002014Achiever's Legacy 2Drayden Van DykeJerry HollendorferGillian Campbell, Margaret Cellucci, Dan Horowitz, Richard Robertson7 f1:23.25 $60,0002013Bajan2Victor EspinozaSimon CallaghanEclipse Thoroughbred Partners (Aron Wellman, manager) & Ronald Frankel7 f1:24.26$60,0002012 Race not held2011Made To Love Her 2Rafael BejaranoJames M. Kasparoff Copper Penny Stables (Alina Muther)7 f1:23.88 $60,0002010Turbulent Descent2David FloresMichael T. Puype Blinkers On Racing (partnership), David Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons7 f1:23.15 $60,0002009Bickersons 2Joe TalamoKelly J. Breen George & Lori Hall 7 f1:22.49 $60,0002008Evita Argentina 2Tyler BazeJohn W. SadlerHalo Farms (Theodore Aroney) & Three Sisters Thoroughbred 7 f1:21.50 $71,1002007Spring Awakening 2Garrett GomezMichael R. Mitchell Gerald Frankel, Robert & Coit Strauss 7 f1:21.38 $68,1002006Quick Little Miss 2Jon Court Melvin F. StuteDaniel Q. Schiffer, Annabelle Stute, The Hat Ranch West (Schiffer family)7 f1:24.13 $60,0002005Private World 2Kent DesormeauxRobert B. Hess Jr. Thoroughbred Capital Partners 7 f1:22.39 $60,0002004No Bull Baby 2Tyler BazeBob BaffertHal & Patti Earnhardt III 7 f1:23.06 $60,0002003Victory U.S.A. 2Julie Krone Bob BaffertThomas F. Van Meter II 7 f1:22.50 $60,0002002Puxa Saco 2Mike E. Smith Jenine SahadiRichard Rowan 7 f1:21.80$60,000 2001Ayanna 2Mike E. SmithR. Kory Owens Triple AAA Ranch (Richard Owens)7 f1:23.40$60,0002000Jetin Excess 2Victor EspinozaAlcides "Pico" Perdomo Earle Malley, Pico Perdomo, Tim Saltonstall, et al.7 f1:23.60$60,0001999Classic Olympio 2Alex SolisVHW StablesRonald McAnally 7 f1:22.20$60,000 1998Perfect Six 2David Flores William J. Morey Jr.Carole & Don Chaiken, Bart & Ronelle Heller7 f1:23.00$43,350 1997Superlative 2Chris McCarron Ronald McAnallyVHW Stables7 f1:22.60$60,000 1996High Heeled Hope 2Alex SolisRandy K. Bradshaw Paraneck Stable 7 f1:22.80$63,000 1995Advancing Star 2Gary StevensRichard E. Mandella Golden Eagle Farm7 f1:21.80$61,000 1994Urbane 2Corey BlackBrian A. MayberryJan, Mace & Samantha Siegel 7 f1:21.60$44,150 1993 Race not held1992Blue Moonlight 2Eddie Delahoussaye Brian A. MayberryMary Zuckerman 7 f1:22.80$57,0001991Melo Melody 2Alex SolisDarrell ViennaWilliam J. Herrick 7 f1:23.00$58,800 1990Ifyoucouldseemenow 2Martin PedrozaBrian A. MayberryJan, Mace & Samantha Siegel 6.5 f1:16.20$61,750 1989Owiseone 2Gary BoulangerTerry R. Knight Dame Construction Co. Inc. 6.5 f1:16.60$43,950 1988Hot Novel 2Eddie Delahoussaye Fabio Nor Joanne H. Nor6.5 f1:16.60$54,100 1987Variety Baby 2Laffit Pincay Jr.Bruce HeadleyKjell Qvale6.5 f1:16.80$38,300 1985 - 1986 Race not held1984Lady's Secret 2Chris McCarronD. Wayne Lukas Eugene & Joyce Klein 6 f1:11.20$34,200
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