The Indian Summer Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Keeneland race course in Lexington, Kentucky. A Grade III for two-year-olds with a purse currently set at $250,000, it is run on the track's grass course over a distance of 5½ furlongs.
Inaugurated in 1991 as a race on the Keeneland dirt track, the Indian Summer Stakes was placed on hiatus after the 2001 running that had been won by the filly Vicki Vallencourt for owners Rick & Ron Rashinski.
In October 2018 the race name was revived but with different conditions as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series in which the annual Indian Summer Stakes winner would receive an automatic berth in the year's newly created $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Records Speed record: * 1:02.28 @ 5.5 furlongs Schwarzenegger (2025) 1:02.30 @ 5.5 furlongs, Private Creed (2022) 1:10.00 @ 6 Furlongs, Freefourracing (2000) 1:23.40 @ 7 furlongs, Little Shocker (1993) 1:23.40 @ 7 furlongs, Sock City (1992)
Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Shane Sellers (1995, 1996) 2 - Pat Day (1999, 2000)
Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Wesley A. Ward (2019, 2021, 2025)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - D. Wayne Lukas (1994, 1999)
Most wins by an owner: no owner won this race more than once
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner (Miles) Time Win $ Gr.2026Adonius (IRE)John R. VelazquezRebecca MenziesRiverdee Stable, West Paces Racing and Michael Hughes5.5 F1:03.46$147,250G32025Schwarzenegger John R. VelazquezWesley A. WardMrs. John Magnier, Mountmellick Farm, Brook T. Smith & Resolution Road Stable5.5 F1:02.28$300,000L/R2024Governor SamPaco LopezGeorge WeaverBregman Family Racing LLC & Swinbank Stables LLC (Reagan Swinbank)5.5 F1:02.72$141,438L/R2023Committee of OneCristian TorresSteve Asmussen J. Kirk & Judy Robison5.5 F1:02.40$145,313L/R2022Private CreedJoel RosarioSteve AsmussenMike McCarty5.5 F1:02.30$145,313L/R2021Averly JaneTyler GaffalioneWesley A. WardHat Creek Racing (Gatewood Bell)5.5 F1:02.65$111,540L/R2020BodenheimerBrian Hernandez Jr.Valorie LundKristin Boice & Marylou Holden5.5 F1:02.70$90,000L/R2019KimariMike E. SmithWesley A. WardTen Broeck Farm, Inc. (Phil & Orintha Silva)5.5 F1:03.03$120,000B/T2018Strike Silver Julien LeparouxMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxley5.5 F1:05.00$120,000B/T2002 - 2017 Race not held2001Vicki VallencourtMark GuidryHugh H. RobertsonRick & Ron Rashinski6 F1:11.88$50,288L/R2000FreefourracingPat DayNeil D. DrysdaleRobert & Janice McNair6 F1:10.00$51,776L/R1999MycatcandancePat DayD. Wayne LukasPadua Stables (Satish & Anne Sanan)6 F1:10.20$43,817L/R1998The Happy HopperWillie MartinezRobert E. HolthusKerry & Lina Ozment6 F1:10.80$42,920L/R1997 Race not held1996High Heeled HopeShane SellersRandy K. BradshawParaneck Stable (Ernie Paragallo)7 F1:23.80$39,294L/R1995J. D. and WaterShane SellersSteven L. MorguelanGlencrest Farm & Stewart Madison7 F1:24.20$34,288L/R1994Lilly CapotePat DayD. Wayne LukasJames C. Spence7 F1:24.40$22,785B/T1993Little ShockerFabio Arguello Jr.Dale RomansTerry Raymond & Kyle Nagle7 F1:23.40$23,653B/T1992Sock CityBrent BartramAnthony L. ReinstedlerElizabeth S. Lavin7 F1:23.40$27,986B/T1991Cadillac WomenPerry ComptonThomas J. PryorThomas J. Pryor & Jones Biven7 F1:23.80$23,725B/T
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